Pololu Step-Down Voltage Regulator Fixed Output - D36V6Fx Range

Pololu Step-Down Voltage Regulator Fixed Output - D36V6Fx Range

The D36V6Fx family of 600 mA buck (step-down) voltage regulators generates lower output voltages from input voltages as high as 50 V. They are switching regulators (also called switched-mode power supplies (SMPS) or DC-to-DC converters), which makes them much more efficient than linear voltage regulators, especially when the difference between the input and output voltage is large. The maximum achievable output current of these regulators varies with the input voltage but also depends on other factors, including the ambient temperature, air flow, and heat sinking. The graph below shows maximum output currents that these regulators can deliver continuously at room temperature in still air and without additional heat sinking.

The regulators feature short-circuit/over-current protection, and thermal shutdown helps prevent damage from overheating. The boards do not have reverse-voltage protection.

This range includes six versions with fixed output voltages ranging from 3.3 V to 12 V:

• D36V6F3: Fixed 3.3V output
• D36V6F5: Fixed 5V output
• D36V6F6: Fixed 6V output
• D36V6F7: Fixed 7.5V output
• D36V6F9: Fixed 9V output
• D36V6F12: Fixed 12V output

This regulator has four connections: shutdown (SHDN), input voltage (VIN), ground (GND), and output voltage (VOUT).
The SHDN pin can be driven low (under 1.25 V) to turn off the output and put the board into a low-power state (< 2 μA typical). The regulator is enabled by default, and this input can be left disconnected if you do not need this feature.

The input voltage, VIN, powers the regulator. Voltages between 4 V and 50 V can be applied to VIN, but for versions of the regulator that have an output voltage higher than 4 V, the effective lower limit of VIN is VOUT plus the regulator’s dropout voltage, which varies approximately linearly with the load (see below for graphs of the dropout voltage as a function of the load). Additionally, please be wary of destructive LC spikes (see below for more information).
The four connections are labeled on the back side of the PCB and are arranged with a 0.1″ spacing along the edge of the board for compatibility with solderless breadboards, connectors, and other prototyping arrangements that use a 0.1″ grid. You can solder wires directly to the board or solder in either the 4×1 straight male header strip or the 4×1 right-angle male header strip that is included.

The six connections are arranged on 0.1″ grid for compatibility with solderless breadboards, connectors, and other prototyping arrangements that use a 0.1″ grid. The PG connection is the only one not located along the edge of the board. A 6×1 straight male header strip and a 5×1 right-angle male header strip are is included with the regulator; one pin of the straight header can optionally be broken off and soldered into PG.

LC voltage spikes

When connecting voltage to electronic circuits, the initial rush of current can cause voltage spikes that are much higher than the input voltage. If these spikes exceed the regulator’s maximum voltage (50 V), the regulator can be destroyed. In our tests with typical power leads (~30″ test clips), input voltages above 28 V caused spikes over 50 V.

If you are connecting more than 28 V or your power leads or supply has high inductance, we recommend soldering a suitably rated 33 μF or larger electrolytic capacitor close to the regulator between VIN and GND.

D36V6Fx range Documents

Drill guides (DXF) for the Step-down Voltage Regulator D24V3x, D24V6x, and D36V6x (3k zip)

These DXF drawings show the locations of all of the holes on the fixed and adjustable Step-down Voltage Regulators D24V3x, D24V6x, and D36V6x.

Dimension diagram of the Step-down Voltage Regulator D24V3x, D24V6x, and D36V6x (250k pdf)

3D models (STEP) of the Step-down Voltage Regulator D24V3x, D24V6x, and D36V6x (1MB zip)

This file contains 3D models (in the step file format) of the fixed and adjustable Step-down Voltage Regulators D24V3x, D24V6x, and D36V6x.