The XL4015 is a small and powerful PWM buck converter that is highly efficient, so it doesn’t dissipate much power, and it functions at 180 kHz frequency. This IC maintains low interference and is ideal for delicate devices that require reliable and steady voltage. The XL4015 IC is a great choice with 5 Amps load handling ability. So this converter IC stands out for its flexible power regulation abilities within different technical applications. Its core attributes mainly include flexibility with broad input voltage, its efficiency within power use, and adjustable o/p settings for both current and voltage. Thus, this article explores an overview of XL4015 IC, its working, and its applications.
What is XL4015 IC?
The XL4015 IC is a high-power buck (step-down) DC-to-DC converter that provides up to 5 Amps of high-efficiency output current. This voltage regulator works over a broad input voltage range with a 180 kHz fixed switching frequency. So this IC includes current limit protection, thermal shutdown, and soft-start features. The XL4015 DC-DC converter IC drives a 5A load. The IC has an internal frequency compensation, a PWM control circuit & fixed-frequency oscillator. Thus, it is ideal in applications like power supply modules, battery charging systems & LED lighting due to its high current ability and robust design.
XL4015 IC Working
The XL4015 IC works like a step-down buck converter and is a PWM buck converter with a fixed frequency that reduces voltage when the current is increased. This IC drives a 5A load with high efficiency, low ripple, and outstanding line & load regulation. The XL4015 IC includes an in-built internal frequency compensation, a fixed-frequency oscillator, and a current protection function. So it can also have a PWM control circuit that adjusts the duty ratio from 0 – 100% linearly.
So, the XL4015 IC can be adjusted for current and voltage. The current adjustment or I-ADJ can be regulated clockwise to raise the current limit & counterclockwise to reduce it. Similarly, the voltage setting or V-ADJ can be adjusted clockwise to increase the output voltage and counterclockwise to reduce it. So the XL4015 IC can be used for charging batteries, used as a small adjustable power supply, or constant current LED driver.
XL4015 IC Pin Configuration:
The pin configuration of XL4015 IC is shown below. This step-down switching voltage regulator includes 8 pins and each pin’s functionality is discussed below.
XL4015 IC Pin Configuration
- Pin-1 (GND): It is a Ground pin of IC.
- Pin-2 (FB): It is a feedback pin that detects the o/p voltage and changes it through an external resistor divider network.
- Pin-3 (SW): It is a power switch output pin of the IC that provides power to the output.
- Pin-4 (VC): It is an internal voltage regulator bypass capacity pin that connects a 1uF capacitor to a VIN pin within a typical application system.
- Pin-5 (VIN): It is a voltage supply input pin of IC which operates from 8V-36V DC voltage.
Features & Specifications:
The features & specifications of XL4015 IC include the following.
- XL4015 IC is a high-power step-down DC-to-DC converter IC.
- It is available in the TO-263-5 Case/Package.
- Its function is step-down.
- It uses buck topology.
- It doesn’t have a synchronous rectifier.
- It has internal optimized power MOSFET.
- Its efficiency is high up to 96%.
- This IC has outstanding line & load regulations.
- It is built with a thermal shutdown function, current limit function, and output short safety
- function.
- This IC is RoHS Compliant.
- Packaging is TR (Tape & Reel)
- Number of o/ps it has is 1.
- Output configuration is positive and adjustable.
- Its maximum input voltage is 36 volts.
- The minimum input voltage is 8V.
- Output current is 5Amps.
- Its minimum or fixed output voltage is 1.25V
- The frequency switching of this IC is 180 kHz
- The maximum output voltage is 32V.
- Its max duty cycle is 100%.
- Min drop out is 0.3V.
- Its temperature ranges from -40°C to +85°C.
Equivalent & Other Voltage Regulator ICs
Equivalent XL4015 ICs are; LM25116, 7812, LM2596, XL6009, XL4001, XL7005A, XL4501, XL4016, XL4005E1, etc. Alternative XL4015 ICs are; AP1501A-K5G-13, TL494, etc.
Variable Power Supply Circuit with XL4015 IC
The variable power supply circuit (0-35V) with XL4015 IC is shown below. The variable output voltage ranges from 1.25 – 35 V and the current supply ranges from 0 to 5 Ampere. So, the XL4015 IC output is very accurate and stable.
The required components to make this circuit mainly include XL4015 5A DC to DC adjustable step-down power module, 5A fuse, 230V to 30V step-down transformer, 0.1uF capacitor, 1N4001 diodes, and 470uF electrolytic capacitor. So, connect this circuit as per the diagram shown below.
The XL4015 IC is a fixed 180 kHz frequency PWM buck DC to DC converter that drives a 5A load with low ripple, high efficiency, and excellent line & load regulation. So this voltage regulator is very simple to utilize and includes a fixed-frequency oscillator and internal frequency compensation with less number of external components.
Here the PWM control circuit is capable of adjusting the duty ratio from 0 to 100% linearly. This IC has an in-built over-current protection function. So, whenever short protection occurs then its operation frequency will be decreased from 180 KHz to 48 KHz. In addition, this IC can also have an internal compensation block to reduce the external component count.
Variable Power Supply Circuit with XL4015 IC
Working
The input supply of the module in the above circuit is up to 38V however we have utilized 30V by using a 230V to 30V step-down transformer. So this transformer’s output can be given to the rectifier diode’s input which is shown in the above circuit. After that, the diode output is supplied directly to the XL4015 module’s input. However, we have utilized two capacitors for smoothing of waveform or removing unnecessary signals or any ripples.
Thus finally, the output can be received from the module’s output. So this is the simple variable power supply circuit that can be designed easily at home & utilized in various applications like power transformers, batteries, industrial equipment buckets, LCD monitors, LCD TVs, networking or telecom equipment, etc.
Advantages & Disadvantages
The advantages of XL4015 IC include the following.
- The XL4015 DC to DC converter IC has up to 96% high efficiency.
- This IC has an in-built thermal shutdown, output short protection, and current limit functions.
- It has outstanding line & load regulations.
- These are simple to use and need a minimum of external components.
- It has adjustable o/p voltage & current.
- This IC operates in extreme temperature conditions ranging from -40°C to 85°C.
- This IC can be used in different applications.
The disadvantages of XL4015 IC include the following.
- DC-to-DC converters generate some noise throughout the operation because of switching. So this can cause the regulator to break down.
- These are expensive and provide an unsteady voltage & current supply.
- They can generate heat even with thermal security.
- These can fall short if their power transistors get short-circuit and they can harm other components (or) cause a fire.
- These ICs have a limited range of gains.
- They need more complex control systems as compared to linear regulators which increases the complexity & cost of design.
- The switching nature of these ICs can produce EMI which may interfere with other electronic devices so the right filtering & layout are required to lessen this problem.
- They have high output voltage ripple which is problematic mainly for sensitive applications that need a constant output.
- These ICs incur switching losses, particularly at high frequencies although they are efficient.
- These ICs are compact so the required capacitors & inductors can be bulky, particularly within high-power-based applications.
- The heat produced by the components may need extra thermal management solutions within high-power applications.
Applications
The applications of XL4015 IC include the following.
- The XL4015 IC can be used in battery chargers to charge different batteries like nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydrogen, and lithium batteries.
- It can be used as an LED driver, a portable power supply, and a step-down module to change the output voltage.
- These ICs are used within telecom & networking equipment, LCD TVs & LCD monitors.
- It can be used as a small adjustable power supply through current limiting
Please refer to this link for the XL4015 IC Datasheet.
Thus, this is an overview of XL4015 IC, pinout, features, specifications, circuit, working, pros, cons, and uses. So the XL4015 IC is a step-down DC-to-DC converter with 180 KHz fixed frequency which drives a 5A load with low ripple, high efficiency, and excellent line & load regulation. Here is a question for you, what is LM2596 IC?