Electrical – Is it possible to use 7805 regulator without capacitors at its input and output pins

7805capacitorlinear-regulatorpiezo-buzzervoltage-regulator

I have to drive a magnetic buzzer whose current is 50mA and max. voltage is 6V. I will use 7805 regulator to drive it as my supply voltage is variable 9V to 24V DC. There will be another small load connected on this 7805 whose current will be 100mA. So total current drawn from 7805 will be less than 200mA.

As the current is small so is it ok to use 7805 without the capacitors at its input and output pins? I want to avoid capacitors to reduce the component count to minimum.

If instead of the two capacitors I only use 1 capacitor then which one to use.. input or output capacitor? and what would be its sufficient value for a current of less than 200mA?

Best Answer

That has not really anything to do with the maximum current drawn. The 7805 just needs the 100nF at input AND at output to run stable. Without these capacitors there is a high probability of your output voltage to oscillate. Don't save on these two cheap components, in the end it will more likely cost you even more because of failed parts you have to replace.

Also be aware that the regulator will have to dissipate a maximum power of (24-5)V * 0.2A = 3.8W. So you definitly need to use a heat sink.