Voltage regulator substitution question

[tommch]

Hi folks - I have a bad negative voltage regulator (79M18 type) in a Hafler peamp that has a 500mA output voltage rating. Having trouble finding the exact match and wondering if a 1A version will substitute safely?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[ecluser]

Yes

 

[egellings]

Hi folks - I have a bad negative voltage regulator (79M18 type) in a Hafler peamp that has a 500mA output voltage rating. Having trouble finding the exact match and wondering if a 1A version will substitute safely?

Thanks,
Tom

The 1A version will work well.

 

[tommch]

Thanks - I was fuzzy on whether that ouput current spec was simply a max capacity type of thing.

 

[Semanon]

Thanks - I was fuzzy on whether that ouput current spec was simply a max capacity type of thing.

For regulators, the rating expresses the regulator’s capabilities. If the preamp needs 400 ma, either will be fine, as the circuitry in the preamp determines the current draw. If the preamp needs 600 ma, the smaller regulator will be insufficient and likely fail.