Buck converter vs. linear voltage regulator - practical comparison

In this video I'm comparing in practice a buck converter with LM7805 linear voltage regulator. Two driver boards from old hard drives are used as a dummy load to check efficiency and temperature of the buck converter and linear voltage regulator. I'm presenting pros and cons of both devices.
There are 2 mistakes in my calculations:
1. 5:02 - 5:08 - correct calculations should be: (12V - 5V) x 0.42A = 2.94W
2. 5:17 - 5:23 - correct calculations should be: (12V - 5V) x 0.22A = 1.54W
I double checked everything, but I should have triple checked. I'm sorry for my mistake.

Subscribe to get notified about my new videos:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Video, edit, voice by Chris Lorkowski

Music composed and performed by Bensound - The Lounge

[LordPhobos]

Buck converters always have a little bit of output ripple. If this is undesirable, you can use a buck converter to step down to just above the dropout for your linear regulator, then use the linear regulator, which won't need to drop as much voltage, generating less heat.

[tombowen]

wanted to know this for decades, very well explained and no stupid music, top man

[edgardito]

We were studying power supply last week and my professor never talk about buck converter. I wish my professor had your enthusiasm to explain thinks from A to Z like you did. Excellent video.

[JC-crty]

I use voltage regulators to heat my house.

[tcap]

Awesome content. Wish I saw this a few weeks ago when I was building (using a linear regulator) a DC project. I learned through trial and error of the massive heat issue. I did end up using a buck converter.

[yellowice]

This video is 5 years old and still gives good information, got everything I needed to know thanks 👍

[PassiveDissimulation]

most useful thing i’ve seen all day, you gave me another reason to scour my spare/crap psu’s for recoverable components.

[ElectronFunCom]

Guys - I can't reply to some of your comments because of a YouTube bug. One of such comments is the one from Sovereign Knight. I'm getting an error message :(
Thank you for your comment and subscription Sovereigh Knight.

[joefarr]

When using linear regulators ALWAYS check the datasheet for the type you are using. Many regulators will be damaged if there is a high value capacitor on the output when the power is switched off. Check the regulator datasheet for reverse bias protection.

[npriester]

This video was the best I've seen so far for concisely describing and demonstrating the differences between the two, thanks so much for this.

[CarlStreet]

Excellent Video -- informative, clear, concise script. Good camera work, good sound, well paced and edited. Very well done! Thank you!!

[haydenth]

This was a very useful video; thank you! One thing I've been using linear regulators for is variable voltage but low amperage equipment, like solar chargers, etc.

[dogmakarma]

Well-presented and well described!  I needed a primer on this subject and you provided precisely what I needed to know, in a concise and easy-to-absorb manner.  THANK YOU, and GOOD JOB!!

[frankpitochelli]

Buck converters are perfect for smaller battery powered devices.
However, if in a heavier application, then use the flat pack ic/transistor with a sufficient heat sink.
Great video.

[Bizzmark]

Great summary. I used to build circuits when I was a kid (early 90's), reading the circuit guides from Radio Shack, but fell out of it and got more into computers & communications. I find it's still a very useful skill to have, and I'm always trying to learn more and get back into it. Channels like yours are so valuable - if we had this kind of platform when I was a kid, who knows how many cool devices and ideas we'd have by now :)

[nyceyes]

This was hands-on and educational. ☺️ Thank you for this video uploader.

[SamKGrove]

Computer power supplies usually have high frequency transformers to step down the voltage. At higher frequencies, transformers can be fairly small and smaller capacitors can be used for filtering.

[dilshadali]

Learned something new and got the solution of my last project in which i was facing heat problem in 7805 thanks a lot.

[CHIBACRV]

I just visited this video after a year, and it still has to be the best explanation yet... thanks again..

[MadLabZ]

Thanks for this very helpful video. I was addicted to using linear voltage regulators on on most of my past projects (quick and dirty) but as we expand our minds and fine tune projects for efficiency and longevity buck's have a new place in my file cabinet (brain) also good call on interference potential with the buck, I never really thought about that but makes total sense for RF sensitive projects!!! this would explain why some pcb's have metal shield boxes surrounding some area's too in a way. =)