Switching regulators with integrated power transistors provide simplicity, require few components, and make compact step-down power supplies. Few of these devices can supply more than 5A load current, ...

The current limiting circuit, though, is where things get interesting. Rather than use an op-amp, [DiodeGoneWild] chose a simple discrete transistor current-sense circuit.

These old 1N5305 current limiting diode regulators are simply constructed from a JFET with an internal feedback resistor to its gate which maintains a fixed current output.

NORDIC SEMICONDUCTORS nPM1300 Power Management ICto provides a simplified solution to system design by integrating essential functions that are necessary for embedded designs into a single, compact ...

Another current limiter uses a P-channel MOSFET as a pass device, with gate voltage controlled by a transistor that amplifies the R SENSE voltage drop. 3 This circuit experiences a drop as low as ...

Contributing editor, Bob Pease, explains how to design several different circuits for limiting currents as high as 300 mA using an LM317, LM334N, IRF640 or IRF740.