Experiment No.
5
SWITCHING REGULATOR
Course: EE 340 Section: EEE33S2
Group No.: 2 Date Performed: Jul 2, 2024
Group Members: Date Submitted:
Espiritu, Gene Paolo (Leader) Instructor: Engr. Cayetano Hiwatig
Mariquit, Mark P.
Magdale, John Aeric
Canaria, Liz Anne (ABSENT)
1. Objective(s):
To determine the operating modes of switching regulator.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
1. Determine the switching regulator working principles.
2. Examine the loads for switching regulator.
3. Analyze the control techniques of switching regulators.
3. Discussion:
In many experiments we need power supplies. But, as always, there is a “but”! The switching regulator is
increasing in popularity because it offers the advantages of higher power conversion efficiency and
increased design flexibility (multiple output voltages of different polarities can be generated from a single
input voltage).
It was the reason we are organizing a separate experiment with it. Remember, the heart of a switching
regulator is the inductance.
The fundamental law that defines the relationship between the voltage and current in an inductor is given
by the equation:
Few more words, just to be sure that before experimenting with switching regulator some basic
knowledge are fixed up.
Two important characteristics of an inductor that derive directly from the law of inductance are:
1) A voltage across an inductor results only from a current which changes with time. A steady (DC)
current flowing in an inductor causes no voltage across it (except for the tiny voltage drop across the
copper used in the windings).
2) A current flowing in an inductor can not change the value instantly (in zero time), as this would
require infinite voltage to force it to happen. However, the faster the current is changed in an inductor,
the larger the resulting voltage will be.
The experimental setup consists in variable DC supply, a switching regulator controlled by a control unit
(PWM switching capabilities), a complex load (consisting in resistors- R, capacitors- C, inductance- L,
which can be connected in different configurations), a voltmeter for controlling the input, and effective
output voltage, and one scope probe for seeing the regulating the behavior of the device.
Figure 7.1 - Block diagram of controlled switching regulator
4. Equipment:
1 – DL3155E17R
1 – DL Platform
2 – Manual (Practical)
1 – Computer Set
18 – Connecting wires
2 – BNC Cable
2 – DMM Probe
1 – DMM
1 – Digital Oscilloscope
5. Procedure:
The experimental setup consists in variable DC supply, a switching regulator controlled by a control unit
(PWM switching capabilities), a complex load (consisting in resistors- R, capacitors- C, inductance- L,
which can be connected in different configurations), a voltmeter for controlling the input, and effective
output voltage, and one scope probe for seeing the regulating the behavior of the device.
Figure 7.1 - Block diagram of controlled switching regulator
The experimental setup for controlled switching regulator is shown in the figure below.
Figure 7.2 - Switching regulator controlling with PWM pulse
To build this experiment, the setting up phase is now easy and somehow familiar to you:
First of all, connect the variable DC power supply – the red wire connection between
ports 1, 2.
The OUT1 port of the control unit must be connected to the gate;
Connect one resistor (R2) in parallel with a capacitor, and then connect this group in series
with one of closed inductance (L1). Please organize your connections in a way that allows
you to add new connections.
Connect the common point of the resistor and capacitor to the switching output port 4, and
connect the other inductance terminal to the common point of the experimental setup
(ground point).
Power up the experimental board. Be sure that the red light (LED) closed with PWM
switching (Out1). If not, please push the button of the control unit until the mentioned light
will be ON;
Now, is time for … experimenting!
Please note that the switching regulator offers the possibility for fine DC output adjusting. On
the other hand, please do not make a confusion between DC voltage (direct/ one direction
current) and constant current (which means a constant value for the DC current).
On the other hand, switching regulator has different behavior when different kind of load supplies it with
energy.
The effective value of the output voltage is important from the energy point of view.
First, we are experimenting with the upper specified load.
Figure 7.3 - Pictures for two different times in PWM sequence (t1, t2)
Figure 7.4 - Pictures for two different times in PWM sequence (t3, t4)
The four captured images represent four different PWM times, for the same load configuration.
Now, let’s run the experiment in a different way:
We fix up a PWM time (t)
We adjust a specific value for variable input voltage;
We adjust the scope view in the most convenient way.
For running this experiment we will record the voltage value and the shape of voltage variations each
time we change the type of load.
Figure 7.5 - 3.555 volts, on R2C1C2+L2 load Figure 7.6 - 3.435 volts, on R2C1+L2 load
Figure 7.7 - 2.845 volts, on R1R2C1C2+L2 load Figure 7.8 - 3.675 volts, on R2C1C2+L1+L2 load
The last four figures prove the effective output voltage variation on different kind of loads. In the same
time, the load’s characteristics influence the shape of the output voltage.
Here, we will explain a convention used in documenting the upper figures. For instance, when
we described the load, we used a notation like R2C1C2+L1+L2.
In electrical circuits theory, the multiply operator is associated with parallel connection of the
devices (ex: R2C1C2 means R2 parallel with C1, parallel with C2), the add operator is
associated with serial connection (ex: L1+L2 means L1 in series with L2).
We have addressed you a lot of warnings in this manual.
Because the power supplies are very important in every manual, please accept one more
advice.
When you are working with cables and load components you are required to connect/ disconnect many
cables. Be very careful - not to cause any short circuits to the output of the power supply. Please check
the experiments, even two times, before powering the circuits.
6. Discussion of Results:
on R2C1C2+L2 load
T on = 360 us
Period = 1790 us
Frequency = 558.66 Hz
T on = 780 us
Period = 1890 us
Frequency = 529.10 Hz
T on = 1240 us
Period = 1770 us
Frequency = 564.97 Hz
on R2C1+L2 load
T on = 570 us
Period = 1895 us
Frequency = 527.70 Hz
T on = 800 us
Period = 1780 us
Frequency = 561.80 Hz
T on = 1055 us
Period = 1775 us
Frequency = 563.38 Hz
on R1R2C1C2+L2 load
T on = 530 us
Period = 1780 us
Frequency = 561.80 Hz
T on = 770 us
Period = 1890 us
Frequency = 529.10 Hz
T on = 1140 us
Period = 1880 us
Frequency = 531.92 Hz
on R2C1C2+L1+L2 load
T on = 460 us
Period = 1810 us
Frequency = 552.49 Hz
T on = 790 us
Period = 1900 us
Frequency = 526.32 Hz
T on = 1270 us
Period = 1900 us
Frequency = 526.32 Hz
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
The results of the switching regulator experiment demonstrate the high efficiency and flexibility of the
device. When different load conditions were applied, the regulator effectively maintained a stable output
voltage, indicating minimal power loss and efficient performance. For example, with the R2C1C2 + L2
load, the output voltage was 3.555V, showing that the parallel capacitors and series inductance
effectively smoothed the switching pulses. A slight reduction in output voltage to 3.435V with the R2C1 +
L2 load highlighted the impact of removing one capacitor on voltage stabilization. The output voltage
dropped to 2.845V with the R1R2C1C2 + L2 load due to the added series resistance, demonstrating how
increased load resistance affects the regulator's performance. Conversely, the highest output voltage of
3.675V was observed with the R2C1C2 + L1 + L2 load, where the increased inductance provided better
energy storage and smoothing.
7. Conclusion:
The experiment successfully meets the intended learning outcomes by allowing students to determine
the working principles of switching regulators, examine their performance under different loads, and
analyze the control techniques involved. The results confirm the high efficiency and adaptability of
switching regulators, highlighting their importance in a wide range of electronic applications. Through
hands-on experimentation and detailed analysis, students gain a comprehensive understanding of how
switching regulators operate and their practical benefits in real-world scenarios.
8. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):
9. Assessment Task:
Quiz. Test yourself and be ready to accept new questions
What is a switching regulator?
A switching regulator (DC-DC converter) is a type of power supply stabilizer. A switching
regulator converts the input direct current (DC) voltage into the target direct current (DC) value.
In an electrical or other device, a switching regulator converts the voltage from a battery or other
power source to the voltages required by other systems.
What is the structure of a switching regulator?
A switching regulator is a device that regulates the output voltage efficiently. Its components
include a filter, a switching element, an inductor, a diode, an output filter capacitor, a control
circuit, and a feedback network. The filter lowers noise and ripple, and the switching element
quickly switches on and off. The output filter capacitor smoothes the output voltage and ensures
a constant DC supply to the load. The control circuit provides a pulse-width modulation signal,
which is subsequently controlled by a feedback network to ensure that the output voltage is equal
to a reference voltage. This quick switching and feedback control enable the regulator to convert
the input voltage to a steady output value.
What are the major characteristics of the switching regulators?
High efficiency - A switching regulator allows for high-efficiency electricity conversion
by turning a switching element ON and OFF, supplying the necessary amount of
electricity only when it is needed.
Noise - The switching element ON/OFF actions in a switching regulator induce abrupt
fluctuations in voltage and current, as well as parasitic components that generate
ringing, all of which inject noise into the output voltage.
What is the role of inductance in series with the load?
The inductor is an effective current surge suppressor because it generates a voltage across it
that is proportionate to the rate at which current flows through it. As a result, an instantaneous
change in current is counteracted by a reverse emf that tends to infinity.
