Three basic types of voltage regulators have been defined by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and are commonly referred to as the three B's. Let's look at them and their characteristics.
basic types of voltage regulators
The first type of voltage regulator is the step-up or switching regulator. This type is commonly referred to as a low-dropout, low-impedance regulator since it is able to switch voltage between the lowest possible output level and the highest possible output level, thereby providing maximum safety to the system.
The second type is the buck voltage regulator that provides an output voltage that is a higher level than what the input is. When the input voltage exceeds the maximum output voltage by more than the maximum input voltage, the regulator switches the output voltage down to the minimum level to avoid dangerous overload. However, when the input exceeds the maximum output by less than the maximum input voltage, the regulator switches the output voltage up to the maximum level.
The third type is the floating voltage regulator that is also referred to as the regulated voltage regulator because it regulates the power supply voltage based on the input. It then changes the output voltage based on the output power load and is therefore considered the regulated output regulator.
Each of the above characteristics represents a different characteristic of each of these voltage regulators. The three basic types are the first two described in detail.
The first of the three types is the fixed-step voltage regulator which can only switch between high voltage output and low voltage output. The output level is based on the maximum input voltage. This is a great regulator for applications where the output is always constant because no fluctuation occurs in the input voltage. However, this type is not ideal for use where the output may change as the input voltage fluctuates.
The second type of voltage regulator is the adjustable-step regulators that can switch between high and low output voltage based on the input voltage and the load that is placed on the regulator. The load is the percentage of current that is needed by the regulator. This is great for applications where the output voltage is constant but the input voltage changes. on a short term basis. For example, the motor in a car uses this type of regulator to maintain constant voltage but the input voltage needs to change as the speed changes.
The third type of voltage regulator is the variable-voltage regulators that allow the user to adjust the output voltage depending on input and output load. These types are great for situations where the input voltage changes over time. However, they are not recommended for use in applications with large load. However, they can be a great choice for smaller applications.
As you can see, the above description gives a detailed look at the three main types of regulators. All three types provide an important role for any industry, although the third type is the most popular due to its ease of use and versatility. It is used in applications ranging from lighting to electronic devices to industrial equipment to automobiles.
To summarize, all three of the types of voltage regulators described here have the ability to regulate the output voltage in order to meet your needs in your application. If you need a regulator that can control your voltage output, then take a moment to review the description and decide what is right for you.
A third type of regulation is a design voltage regulator. This type of regulator uses a series of resistors and capacitors as its core components.
This type of voltage regulator design requires an expert in electronics to determine the appropriate amount of resistance needed by the device in order to maintain a constant voltage. This means that in some situations the input resistance will need to be higher than the output and in other situations it will need to be lower. There is some additional complexity that comes with this type of regulator, but it is necessary for the regulatory system to work effectively.