Wiring Schematic Diagram

The circuit diagram shown here is of 12V DC fan speed controller using the IC LM2941CT which is a low drop out 1A voltage regulator. The IC has a dropout voltage as low as 0.5 and has also many useful features like power supply reverse protection, thermal protection, short circuit protection etc. The maximum output current the IC can source is 1A.

The 12V DC supply is connected between the Vin (pin4) and ground (pin3) of the IC. The load, which is the fan, is connected across the Vout (pin5) and ground (pin3) of the IC. The network comprising of potentiometers R1, R2 and resistor determines adjust current (Iadj) of the IC. By varying the Iadj using the POT R2 we can adjust the output voltage of the IC and hence the fan speed.