Go back

Voltage regulators

The RECOM R-78xx series is a new group of regulators that allow very high performance density due to the compact design and extremely high efficiency of over 97%. These switching regulators are available at an output of 15V/500mA in a size that is not far off that of common 1W DC/DC converters - a regulated, non-isolated voltage regulator with 7.5W output the size of an unregulated 1W DC/DC converter. One of the remarkable features of these regulators is a pinout equivalent to the familiar 78xx linear regulator. The SIP3 housing used for the voltage regulator is almost as narrow as a TO220 housing, and is only insignificantly thicker and much lower than this common linear regulator housing design. Its extremely low output ripple-and-noise effect (only around 20 - 30mVpp without external connection) allows this voltage regulator to be used as a direct replacement for linear regulators in many existing designs. Continuous short-circuit protection and thermal shutdown are just as standard in this regulator as is the high manufacturing quality typical of RECOM products. This is a major advantage, as the regulator does not require a heat sink - in contrast to linear regulators, thus considerably reducing the space it takes on the circuit board. The low loss in heat from the regulator can be radiated off the plastic housing by convection without needing large heat sinks. There are no metallic surfaces on the voltage regulator housing, eliminating the need for electrical housing insulation required by linear regulators.

These voltage regulators are ideal for situations calling for a linear regulator where limited space leaves no room for any kind of heat sink, thus making the use of a linear regulator impossible.

The extraordinarily high efficiency of up to 97% in these voltage regulators is also ideal for battery circuits, which have always posed a problem for linear regulators due to their poor efficiency. RECOM supplies these voltage regulators with 500mA output current at the usual voltages; other voltages are available on request. Voltage regulators with 1A output current are also available for selected voltages. The next step will be step-up boost voltage regulators and SMD designs.