Pololu 5V Step-Up/Step-Down Voltage Regulator S7V7F5

Overview

The Pololu step-up/step-down voltage regulator S7V7F5 is a switching regulator (also called a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) or DC-to-DC converter) that uses a buck-boost topology. It takes an input voltage from 2.7 V to 11.8 V and increases or decreases the voltage to a fixed 5 V output with a typical efficiency of over 90%.

This flexibility in input voltage is especially well-suited for battery-powered applications in which the battery voltage begins above 5 V and drops below as the battery discharges. Without the typical restriction on the battery voltage staying above the required voltage throughout its life, new battery packs and form factors can be considered. For instance, a 4-cell battery holder, which might have a 6 V output with fresh alkalines but a 4.8 V nominal voltage with NiMH cells and a 4.0 V output with partially discharged cells, can now be used for a 5 V circuit. In another typical scenario, a disposable 9V battery powering a 5 V circuit can be discharged to under 3 V instead of cutting out at 6 V, as with typical linear or step-down regulators.

In typical applications, this regulator can deliver about 1 A continuous when the input voltage is higher than 5 V (stepping down) and 500 mA continuous when the input is lower than 5 V (stepping up); please see the graphs at the bottom of this page for a more detailed characterization. The regulator has short-circuit protection, and thermal shutdown prevents damage from overheating; the board does not have reverse-voltage protection.

For a similar regulator with an adjustable-output output, consider the step-up/step-down voltage regulator S7V8A.

For a higher-current alternative, consider the S911VF5, which can supply a typical maximum continuous current of 1.5 A for input voltages close to 5 V and offers a wider input voltage range of 2 V to 16 V, all in a smaller package. The S911VF5 is part of a larger S911Fx family of step-up/step-down regulators, which includes versions with precision-adjustable outputs and adjustable low-voltage cutoffs.

Features

• input voltage: 2.7 V to 11.8 V
• fixed  5V output with +5/-3% accuracy
• typical continuous output current: 1 A when stepping down; 500 mA when stepping up (Actual continuous output current depends on input voltage. See Typical Efficiency and Output Current section below for details.)
• power-saving feature maintains high efficiency at low currents (quiescent current is less than 0.1 mA)
• integrated over-temperature and short-circuit protection
• small size: 0.35″ × 0.475″ × 0.1″ (9 × 12 × 3 mm)

Using the Regulator

During normal operation, this product can get hot enough to burn you. Take care when handling this product or other components connected to it.

Connections

The step-up/step-down regulator has just three connections: the input voltage (VIN), ground (GND), and the output voltage (VOUT). These three connections are labeled on the back side of the PCB, and they are arranged with a 0.1″ spacing along the edge of the board for compatibility with standard solderless breadboards and perfboards and connectors that use a 0.1″ grid. You can solder wires directly to the board or solder in either the 3×1 straight male header strip or the 3×1 right-angle male header strip that is included.

The input voltage, VIN, should be between 2.7 V and 11.8 V. Lower inputs can shut down the voltage regulator; higher inputs can destroy the regulator, so you should ensure that noise on your input is not excessive, and you should be wary of destructive LC spikes (see below for more information).

The output voltage, VOUT, is regulated to a fixed 5 V, but it can be as high as 5.2 V when there is little or no load on the regulator.

Typical Efficiency and Output Current

The efficiency of a voltage regulator, defined as (Power out)/(Power in), is an important measure of its performance, especially when battery life or heat are concerns. As shown in the graph below, this switching regulator typically has an efficiency of 85% to 95%. A power-saving feature maintains these high efficiencies even when the regulator current is very low.

The maximum achievable output current of the board varies with the input voltage but also depends on other factors, including the ambient temperature, air flow, and heat sinking. The graph below shows output currents at which this voltage regulator’s over-temperature protection typically kicks in after a few seconds. These currents represent the limit of the regulator’s capability and cannot be sustained for long periods, so the continuous currents that the regulator can provide are typically several hundred milliamps lower, and we recommend trying to draw no more than about 1 A from this regulator throughout its input voltage range.

LC Voltage Spikes

When connecting voltage to electronic circuits, the initial rush of current can cause voltage spikes that are much higher than the input voltage. If these spikes exceed the regulator’s maximum voltage, the regulator can be destroyed. If you are connecting more than about 9 V, using power leads more than a few inches long, or using a power supply with high inductance, we recommend soldering a 33 μF or larger electrolytic capacitor close to the regulator between VIN and GND. The capacitor should be rated for at least 16 V.

More information about LC spikes can be found in our application note, Understanding Destructive LC Voltage Spikes.

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