A Simpler

Current Limiter

By Klaus Spies

There are certain instances when current While there are several approaches to limiting the
supply of current using active circuitry, there is a much
must be limited into a circuit regardless of simpler approach using passive components; specifica lly,
voltage variations. One example of this is light bulbs.
When hooked directly across a power source, the
charging batteries. As a battery's voltage light bulb will glow at maximum brightness and the cu rrent
increases during its charging cycle, the through the circuit w ill be limited by the current rati ng of
current from the charger must stay fixed that bulb; as voltage levels are lowered, it gets less bright.
As long as its specified voltage rating is not exceeded, it
as determined by the charge rate of the w ill not bu rn out.
battery (or battery pack). If we hook a light bulb between a power source and
(for example) a battery, the battery will get charged at
Another useful application for limiting current a current limited by the bulb regardless of the charge
regardless of the load is when trouble-shooting a short or level (and therefore voltage level) of the battery. The only
near-short in a circu it. Cu rrent must be limited to levels thing to consider is the maximum voltage and desired
below which printed circuit board (PCB) traces, fuses, permissible maximum allowable current we need for a
wires, etc., burn out while removing parts suspected of given application (refer to Schematic 1; also reference the
causing the short or near-short. charts included w ith the article downloads).
2019/lssue-3 NUTSi VOl.TS 69
 If different maximum current levels are
Bl Bl
required, there are a few opLions. First, select
the current capability of a bu lb per the available
charts, then pick a bu lb at or below the maximum
allowable current.
Hook 'the bulb between the power source and [Gij'D)i
the load, and cu rrent will be limited to the rating
of the bulb (Schematic 1). SCHEMATIC '1.
Schematic 2 shows a method to select
other bulbs via single SPST switches; the bulbs D
R
can either all be the same type so that cu rrent
can be increased in identical increments or
different bulbs can be used in each position to
represent different current requirements. Or,
the bulbs can be selected where the current
they pass isn't the same as is needed by the LED
circuit and therefore are wi red in parallel to SCHEMATIC 3.
come out where needed. SCHEMATIC 2.
If different bulbs are used in each position, LED
a single rotary switch can be substituted for limited life span unless we go with
multiple SPST switches to select individual LEDs, and heat is only a concern for
(instead of multiple) bulbs. O r, bulbs of a ~ higher wattage lights (like automotive
single current rating can be used for identical or household bulbs), although we
incremental steps of current. SCHEMATIC 4. do have a bit of control regarding
The benefit of using light bulbs is that they operating voltages.
can be used for ei ther AC or DC circu its. For example, if our supply voltage is 12 volts (typical
However, here are a few cautions to observe in their of ham shacks) and the only bulbs available for the current
use: rating we need are six volts, we simply put two six volt
bulbs in series.
Operating voltages can vary quite a bit since they are Just like two resistors of equal value when placed in
used for everything from single battery flashlights (like series across a voltage source, each will drop half of the
pen lights) to household lights. supply voltage. (More than two bulbs w ill work, too !)
Regular incandescent bulbs generate heat. The advantage of light bulbs is that they come in
They have limited life span. multiple ratings (both voltage and current), so almost any
value of voltage and cu rrent limiting can be accomplished
There's nothing much that can be done about their (again, refer to the charts included in the down loads).
LEDs can also be used as current limiters, but with
Mouser Electronics slightly different requirements.
https:/ / www.mouser.com For example, since LEDs are not designed to w ithstand
as much reverse voltage as regular diodes (especially the
rectifier types), they must be protected from higher reverse
Jameco Electronics
voltages by a stronger (i.e., rectifier) diode (Schematic
https://www.jameco.com/ webapp/ wcs/ 3). The resistor shown must be chosen for the maximum
stores/ servlet/ StoreCatalogDisplay?langld=- ratings of the LED (typically 20 mA forward current and
1&storeld=10001&catalogld=10001 2V drop across the LED, depend ing on w hich type you
choose).
Digi·Key Electronics For DC applications, LEDs operate j ust like the light
https:// www.digikey.com bulbs discussed earlier (see Schematics 4 and 5), except
that they are polarity-sensitive and must be forward-biased
to operate.
Newark Electronics Part numbers and ratings have intentionally not been
www.newark.com specified so that the user can customize part values
70 NU1SIVOLTS 2019/lssue-3
Post comments on this article and fi nd any associated files and/or
downloads at www.nutsvotts.com/ magazine/issue/ 2019/03.

depending on the application(s) and LED away from anything flammable. In

which parts are available in their R the case of very bright lights that can
parts bins. cause eye damage, consider putting
There are a few some kind of shield over that bulb.
recommendations, however: Since many bulbs are enclosed in
glass, be aware of lhe clangers of
• Always make sure that glass if/when it should break.
components are able to handle
the amount of current being
used - proper wire gauge,
switch ratings, etc.
LED R Conclusion
• For ease and safety of operation,
never just leave the lights and Which of the aforementioned
switches just flopping around. current limiter ideas is best to
Mount everything into its own ('Gij[), fLOADl use? W hy isn't there just a single
enclosure, or as a minimum onto schematic for such a project? Both
a panel on your test bench. SCHEMATIC 5. questions can be answered the same
• Be aware of operating way: It depends o n your application.
conditions. For example, if you're dealing w ith higher That's why different approaches have been discussed;
currents requiring high-current lights like those found so that the basic principles that have been presented can
in automotive applications or high intensity bu lbs like be used in a variety of circumstances, meeting the need of
xenon, be aware that these bulbs get hot; keep them the user's given application. NV

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