Generic LM317 Switching Supply
This was a common way LM317 was used to get a stable power for small devices. It is still useful for learning and some blocks of the circuit are still used today in modern industrial systems. Before the SMPS took over as the default DC source in most systems; designers would use switchers to reduce thermal losses in Linear Supplies.
Linear Supplies have practically no noise or EMI_RFI (generation) issues . It is clean but not green. The efficiency is low. Transformer loss, heat loss in devices.
The Product Safety is very high; but you need to use a Toroidal or Split-Bobbin Transformer for better isolation.
The cost of these supplies are high as more copper is used, the space and weight is also considerable. Reliability and long term stability is excellent in these systems too.
The LM217, LM317 are monolithic integrated circuits in TO-220, TO-220FP and DPAK packages intended for use as positive adjustable voltage regulators. They are designed to supply more than 1.5 A of load current with an output voltage adjustable over a 1.2 to 37 V range. The nominal output voltage is selected by means of a resistive divider, making the device exceptionally easy to use and eliminating the stocking of many fixed regulators.
