Series Regulator Calculator
Analyze power dissipation and thermal performance for linear series voltage regulators.
Regulator Parameters
V
V
mA
V
mA
C/W
C
Power Dissipation
3560 mW
Warning: Thermal overload!
Junction Temp
203.0 C
Efficiency
41.3%
Max Load Current
277 mA
Input Current
505.0 mA
Power Loss Breakdown
Load Loss: 3500 mWQuiescent Loss: 60 mWDropout Margin: 5000 mVMax Power: 2000 mW
Series Regulator Theory
Series regulators (like 7805, LM317, LDOs) use a pass transistor in series with the load. Power dissipation is proportional to the voltage difference and load current. Low dropout regulators (LDOs) minimize this difference, improving efficiency.
Pdiss = (Vin - Vout) x Iload + Vin x Iq