Current in all 78XX ICs such as 7812, 7805, 7824 etc is internally restricted to 1 amp only. In this post we learn how to boost current from these ICs using an outboard transistor circuit with a 78XX circuit.
There are several options of pulling extra current from a 78XX type voltage regulator lC than it was original rating, however the majority of techniques have their down sides, In case, for example, a power transistor is attached in parallel with the IC, the supply voltage may not be safeguarded from short-circuits.
That may, naturally, be dealt with with the addition of a current sensor in the form of an additional transistor that, while in overload situations, cuts off the base current for the power transistor. Nevertheless this particular remedy can experience great power loss in the course of short-circuit situations, that is not truly suitable either.
The current booster circuit for 7812, 7805 ICs offered in this article demonstrates that a less complicated solution might be achievable: the power transistor, T1, is presented with an emitter resistor!
This successfully handles the problem, due to the fact the current via T1 is then proportionate to the current delivered through the voltage regulator. In case the 78XX regulator and T1 are attached onto the same heatsink, the transistor is additionally thermally guarded!
The output voltage will depend merely on the type of voltage regulator used and, as presented here, the circuit is well suited for currents as much as 2 A. If greater values are needed, a number of parts might have to be modified based on the given chart below.
To increase currents over 7 A, transistor T1 should be substituted by a couple of parallel attached transistors each of containing an emitter resistor, R1 and R1' respectively.
