5 volts

from the Mains

Paul Goossens the device and the mains. In this power
supply a transformer cannot be used
Sometimes we would like to hide certain because of lack of space. That is
equipment to prevent cluttering up our liv- why we use a step-down regulator
ing room or any interior in general. A here. A problem with most step-
number of devices lend themselves to be down regulators is that they
built into a wall adapter. Think of a cannot be supplied directly
remote-control extender, for example. from the mains. Hence, in
All these devices need a power supply this schematic (Figure 1)
and we would prefer to use the mains so we first create a rough
that no external connections are required power supply voltage of
for the power supply. around 40 V using passive
The power supply in this article is components and subsequently
intended for exactly these situations, present it to step-down con-
namely converting the mains voltage to a verter IC1. The converter can
5-V power supply voltage. The accompa- operate from a maximum input
nying PCB fits exactly in a round wall voltage of 45 V.
socket enclosure. The mains voltage is first fused by fuse turned
A power supply is usually fitted with a F1 and then converted to full rectified sine off when
transformer to reduce the voltage and wave by the bridge rectifier. the voltage is greater
also provide galvanic isolation between FET T2 is used as a switch, which is than 40 V. The gate of T2 is driven via R3
and R4. As soon as the voltage exceeds
the value of 40 V, transistor T1 will con-
1 F1 duct which causes the gate-drain voltage
of T2 to be so small that T2 stops conduct-
230V 100mA T 4
K1 FB
ing. Because of this, electrolytic capacitor
IC1
C1 cannot charge any further and the
L1 +5V
B1
2
VIN OUTPUT
1 maximum voltage across C1 is therefore
R2 R3 100µH
LM2595T-5.0 +5V
limited to about 40 V.
39k

150k

ON/OFF GND This voltage is converted by IC1 and sur-

D1
R4
5 3 rounding components to a 5-V power
39V supply voltage. The maximum output cur-
150k

B250C1500
0W5 C1 D2 C2 C3 rent is 1 A.
T1 220µ 100µ 100n
The PCB (Figure 2) that has been
MBR745
63V 25V designed for the power supply fits, as
R1

BC
mentioned before, in a round wall socket
10k

T2
547 enclosure. Note that resistor R1 and the
R5
33Ω
0V
link have to be soldered first, then comes
1W IRF730 044049 - 11 R5, in the air above R1 because of the
BUZ41A
tight space.

2 T2
HOLE35E

R4 1-940440 044049-1
T1 R3 C1
D1
R1
R5 1 044049-1
GAT4

D2
R2 F1 100mAT
IC1

B1 L1
C2 GAT2

K1

C3
240V
~ GAT3

0V
+5V

elektor electronics - 12/2004

 Populating the remainder of the PCB
should not present any difficulties. When
mounting the PCB, do note that it is
directly connected to the mains, so make
sure no conductive parts can be touched
when the circuit is in use. The mounting
holes are separated less than 6 mm from
the PCB traces so the board has to be
secured with plastic screws in order to sat-
isfy the safety requirements. Also, after fit-
ting the board, a cover has to be
mounted over the PCB so that it is impos-
sible to touch the PCB when the wall
socket is opened. As always, you cannot
be too careful when dealing with mains
voltages!
(044049-1)

COMPONENTS Capacitors: T1 = BC547B

LIST C1 = 220µF 63V radial
C2 = 120µF 25V radial
T2 = IRF730 or BUZ41A

C3 = 100nF Miscellaneous:
Resistors: F1 = fuse, 100 mAT (slow), with PCB
R1 = 10kΩ Semiconductors: mount holder and cap
R2 = 39kΩ B1 = B250C1500, round case K1 = 2-way PCB terminal block, lead
R3,R4 = 150kΩ D1 = zener diode 39V, 0.5W pitch 7.5mm
R5 = 33Ω D2 = MBR745 L1 = 100µH choke
IC1 = LM2595T-5.0 PCB, available via The PCBShop

12/2004 - elektor electronics