Fig. 1

Design LM317 Constant Current Circuits

by Lewis Loflin

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.

Earlier we discussed various constant current circuits using a PNP transistor, a LM741 OP-AMP and settled for a LM344 constant current source as the most stable. The downside is the LM334 can only source 10mA.

See Constant Current Circuits with the LM334.

• Using TL431A Li-Ion Battery Charger Tutorials using LM317
• TL431A Lithium-Ion Cell Charging Circuits
• Charging Multi-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery Packs

The next series of circuits will use the LM317. While designed as a variable voltage regulator, it will double as a stable constant current source. With only three pins as shown above, one can produce a current of about 1-amp max. See LM317 Spec sheet.

Fig. 1 shows the LM317 used as a series pass constant current source with a single resistor. Resistor range is: 0.8 ohms < R1 < 120 ohms. The formula is IOUT = 1.25V / R1. The 10 ohm resistor produces and current output of 125mA. For the TO-220 package current max = 1A while the TO-92 package is 500mA.

See LM317 Constant Current Source for Lighting LEDs

Fig. 2

LM317 driving three high-power white LEDs at 120mA. One can vary VIN from 15 to 35 volts and IOUT will stay a constant 120mA.

Fig. 3

In Fig 3 the current has dropped below 120mA due to VIN of 12-volts - too two close to the output voltage for the load. In general VIN > Vload + 5V. This makes LM317 useless as a constant current source below 5-volts.

Fig. 4

In Fig 4 we removed a LED for a voltage drop on the load at 6.4V restoring current regulation. Once we have the proper VIN vs. VOUT the load has no effect on the current.

Fig. 5

In Fig. 5 we have only a single LED yet the current remains 120mA. The load doesn't change the current from a constant current source in fact I could short out the output and maintain 120mA.

Note the LM317 will get hot - power not consumed by the load will be dropped by the pass transistor, LM317 etc. Don't go wild with a large Vcc powering a small voltage load.

Remember this analog current regulator is in series with the load and power will divide.

Fig. 6

Fig. 5 shows the LM317 trickle charging a 5-volt NiCd battery pack.

This completes our introduction to the LM317 constant current source.

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• 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

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• The Alternative View Website
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• 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
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• LM317 Constant Current Source Circuits

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