The IC 7805 is a popular voltage regulator integrated circuit (IC) that provides a stable output of 5V DC from a higher voltage input, typically ranging from 7V to 35V. It is part of the 78xx series of fixed linear voltage regulators. The “xx” in the series represents the output voltage; hence, the 7805 specifically outputs 5V.
Features
- Output Voltage: 5V
- Output Current: Up to 1.5A
- Input Voltage Range: 7V to 35V
- Internal Thermal Overload Protection
- Internal Short-Circuit Current Limiting
- Output Transistor Safe-Area Compensation
Pin Configuration
The IC 7805 typically comes in a TO-220 package with three pins:
- Input (Pin 1): This is where the unregulated voltage is applied.
- Ground (Pin 2): This pin is connected to the ground of both the input and output.
- Output (Pin 3): The regulated 5V output is obtained from this pin.
Circuit Diagram
Applications
- Power supplies for electronic devices
- Microcontroller-based projects
- Embedded systems
- Battery-powered projects
Thermal Considerations
While the IC 7805 is capable of handling up to 1.5A of current, it can generate significant heat, especially when the input voltage is much higher than 5V. Therefore, a heat sink is often used to dissipate heat and maintain safe operating temperatures.