05/05/2024, 07:48 LM317 High Power Constant Current Source Circuit

Fig. 1 LM317 controls MJ2955 transistor creating a 10-amp constant current source.

LM317 High Power Constant Current Source Circuit

by Lewis Loflin

Follow @Lewis90068157

A constant current source (CCS) in electronics is a device/circuit that produces a constant

value of current regardless of source voltage or load resistance. A constant current circuit can
also be used as a current limiter.

This is also designed to limit circuit damage for developing other devices such as an H-Bridge.

This current limiter function is used in battery charging, the main focus of this tutorial.

In this circuit we use a LM317 to control a MJ2955 15-amp PNP transistor. This transistor Q1
had a measured DC gain (hFE) of 148. This has been built and tested. A number of
improvements will be added.

The LM317 forms a high power constant current source by controlling the emitter-base current
of Q1 by using an LM317 CCS. The CCS current is shunted to ground.

R1 determines the current though the LM317 with the formula 1.25V / R1. To determine the
values of R1 in this example divide the desired output current (1A) by the hFE of Q1 (148).
This equals 6.75mA. Then divide 1.25V by 0.00675 equals ~150-Ohms.
https://www.bristolwatch.com/ccs/LM317b.htm 1/11
05/05/2024, 07:48 LM317 High Power Constant Current Source Circuit

Related videos:

Adjustable LM317 High Power Current Source

Adjustable LM317 High Powered Current Source 2024

Fig. 2 1 amp LM317 constant current source image with heat sinks.

R1 can be replaced by a 10-Ohm resistor in series with a 200-Ohm 10-turn potentiometer as

shown above. The heat sinks are not needed here as this particular unit not being used as a
stand alone 1-amp adjustable constant current source.

An LM317 constant current source is controlling the base current (Ib) through a MJ2955 15
amp transistor. This combination supplies a far higher currant than the LM317 by itself.

The LM317T (TO-220 case) current is limited to 1.5A. This must be derated in the real world. Use the "70% rule" by
multiplying by 0.70 the maximum rating in the spec sheet. 1.5A * 0.7 = ~1A.
The diagram above taken from a live circuit test. The Q1 hFE was measured on a transistor
checker.

The desired current of 2A with a transistor hFE of 148 is 2A / 148 = 13.5mA. Q1 with a DC gain
(hFE) of 148 produces an output of 2 amps through a 10 ohm load.

Q1's base current (Ib) is set by the 200-Ohm potentiometer and 10 ohm combination to
https://www.bristolwatch.com/ccs/LM317b.htm 2/11
05/05/2024, 07:48 LM317 High Power Constant Current Source Circuit

produce an Ib of 13.5mA. This can also be found by the formula 1.25 / Ib = 1.25 /0.0135 = ~92
Ohms. The nearest common resistor value is 91 Ohms.

See LM317 Constant Current Source Circuits

Fig. 3 Example using a potentiometer with a fixed resistor.

https://www.bristolwatch.com/ccs/LM317b.htm 3/11
05/05/2024, 07:48 LM317 High Power Constant Current Source Circuit

Fig. 4 LM317 constant current source with pass transistor as ON-OFF switch.

In Fig. 4 a number of changes have been added. Q2 acts as a current ON-OFF switch for the
Q1-LM317 circuit. This can be controlled from an Arduino or similar microcontroller. A HIGH
switches on Q2 completing the path to ground for the LM317.

See the following:

Arduino Controlled Power Constant Current Source

Arduino Measures Current from Constant Current Source

Constant Current Source Theory Testing

An input ballast resistor is added from the positive supply input to Q1 emitter. As Q1 heats up
the DC gain (hFE) will increase, thus the output current will increase. This could cause thermal
runaway. The 0.5-Ohm resistor should counter this problem. This will be more useful when
covering bipolar transistors in parallel.

D1 is a blocking diode needed if using this circuit for charging lead-acid or other batteries. This
prevents battery current from feeding back into Q1 when the charging voltage is off.

https://www.bristolwatch.com/ccs/LM317b.htm 4/11
05/05/2024, 07:48 LM317 High Power Constant Current Source Circuit

Fig. 5 12V Battery under charge with LM317 CCS and TL431 charge controller.

https://www.bristolwatch.com/ccs/LM317b.htm 5/11
05/05/2024, 07:48 LM317 High Power Constant Current Source Circuit

Fig. 6 12V Battery charger with LM17 CCS and TL431 charge controller.

In Fig. 6 the LM317 constant current source circuit have been paired with a TL431 under
voltage detector circuit. This was used to charge a 12-volt lead-acid cell in Fig. 5.

See TL431 Over-Voltage, Under-Voltage Detector Circuits

The TIP120 can be replaced with a low power 2N2222, etc.

https://www.bristolwatch.com/ccs/LM317b.htm 6/11
05/05/2024, 07:48 LM317 High Power Constant Current Source Circuit

Fig. 7 LM317 transistor constant current source with optocoupler switch.

https://www.bristolwatch.com/ccs/LM317b.htm 7/11
05/05/2024, 07:48 LM317 High Power Constant Current Source Circuit

Fig. 8 TL431 voltage detector driving optocoupler LED.

https://www.bristolwatch.com/ccs/LM317b.htm 8/11
05/05/2024, 07:48 LM317 High Power Constant Current Source Circuit

Fig. 9 LM317 switched ON-OFF through an optocoupler from TL431 voltage detector.

Using TL431A Li-Ion Battery Charger Tutorials

TL431A Lithium-Ion Cell Charging Circuits

Charging Multi-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery Packs

TL431A Constant Current Source Working Circuits Demo
Power TL431 Constant Current Source Circuits
TL431 Over-Voltage, Under-Voltage Detector Circuits

LM317 Adjustable Voltage, Current Boost Power Supply

Constant Current Circuits LM334, LM317

Build LM317 0-34 Volt Power Supply
LM334 Constant Current Source with Resistive Sensors

LM317 High Power Constant Current Source Circuit

LM317 Constant Current Source Circuits
How to Test Silicon Controlled Rectifiers, Triacs
Basic MOSFET Transistor Test Circuits

High Voltage MOSFET Switching Circuits

3 Amp LM741 Op-Amp Constant Current Source

https://www.bristolwatch.com/ccs/LM317b.htm 9/11
05/05/2024, 07:48 LM317 High Power Constant Current Source Circuit

Current Limiter Testing of Zener Diodes

Current Limiter for Opto-Coupler Inputs

LM317 CCS for Light Emitting Diodes

Experiments with TL431 Shunt Regulator

TL431A Precision Current Regulator Circuits
TL431A Based Current Limiter Constant Current Source Circuits

TL431A Shunt Regulator Circuits

Using TL431A Li-Ion Battery Charger Tutorials

TL431A Lithium-Ion Cell Charging Circuits

Charging Multi-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery Packs

TL431 Over-Voltage, Under-Voltage Detector Circuits
TL431A Constant Current Source Working Circuits Demo

Related YouTube video TL431A Lithium-Ion Cell Charging Circuits

Related YouTube video TL431 Battery Charger Circuit Calculations Revised

Related YouTube video TL431 10-Volt Charger Short Version

Related YouTube video Charging, Charge-Balancing 18V Li-Ion Battery with TL431

Related YouTube video 18.5V Li-Ion Battery Charger with TL431 (short)

The Alternative View Website

Hobby Electronics
E-Mail

Arduino Measures Current from Constant Current Source

Constant Current Source Theory Testing

Arduino Controlled Power Constant Current Source

You Tube Videos

Adjustable LM317 High Power Current Source

Current Boost LM317 Adj. Power Supply
LM317 Constant Current Source Circuits

Other Circuits

https://www.bristolwatch.com/ccs/LM317b.htm 10/11
05/05/2024, 07:48 LM317 High Power Constant Current Source Circuit

Hall Effect Magnetic Switches and Sensors

Comparator Theory Circuits Tutorial

ULN2003A Darlington Transistor Array with Circuit Examples
Transistor-Zener Diode Regulator Circuits
AC Power Supply Rectification

Coils for Highly Selective Crystal Radio

Neon (NE-2) Circuits You Can Build
Photodiode Circuits Operation and Uses

Photodiode Op-Amp Circuits Tutorial

Web site Copyright Lewis Loflin, All rights reserved.
If using this material on another site, please provide a link back to my site.

https://www.bristolwatch.com/ccs/LM317b.htm 11/11