Dropout voltage
Encyclopedia
In electronics
, the dropout voltage of a voltage regulator
is the smallest possible difference between the input voltage and output voltage to remain inside the regulator's intended operating range.
For example, a regulator with rating of 5v output, 10v input and 2v dropout voltage will only output 5v if the input voltage is 7v (5v+2v). if the input falls below 7v the output will also lower down.
Dropout voltage can be as high as 2V for a typical general purpose integrated circuit regulator (such as the 78xx
series), but a low dropout voltage regulator may have a dropout of less than 100mV at full load. Dropout voltage will vary depending on the load on the regulator, usually increasing under higher load, due to the internal resistance of the regulator's pass transistor and circuitry. Dropout voltage also varies under temperature. Dropout voltage will usually be specified over a range of loads and temperatures.
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
, the dropout voltage of a voltage regulator
Voltage regulator
A voltage regulator is an electrical regulator designed to automatically maintain a constant voltage level. A voltage regulator may be a simple "feed-forward" design or may include negative feedback control loops. It may use an electromechanical mechanism, or electronic components...
is the smallest possible difference between the input voltage and output voltage to remain inside the regulator's intended operating range.
For example, a regulator with rating of 5v output, 10v input and 2v dropout voltage will only output 5v if the input voltage is 7v (5v+2v). if the input falls below 7v the output will also lower down.
Dropout voltage can be as high as 2V for a typical general purpose integrated circuit regulator (such as the 78xx
78xx
The 78xx is a family of self-contained fixed linear voltage regulator integrated circuits. The 78xx family is commonly used in electronic circuits requiring a regulated power supply due to their ease-of-use and low cost...
series), but a low dropout voltage regulator may have a dropout of less than 100mV at full load. Dropout voltage will vary depending on the load on the regulator, usually increasing under higher load, due to the internal resistance of the regulator's pass transistor and circuitry. Dropout voltage also varies under temperature. Dropout voltage will usually be specified over a range of loads and temperatures.