Everything You Need To Know About Voltage Regulators

 

Not all of us are experts in electronics, but it is never too late to learn. In this blog, we will tell you everything about shunt regulators and high voltage Zeners. Before we get into details of regulators, let’s start from the basics and understand what exactly a regulator is? 

As the name suggests, a voltage regulator is an electrical device used to regulate voltage levels. It can sustain high power voltage from the power supply within specified limits. Places where stability and reliability voltage is required, a voltage regulator should be your preferred device. 

When working with electrical equipment connected with voltage, make sure that the source voltage is in a particular range. This is where a voltage regulator fulfills its purpose, as in this way,  it works as a shield to protect the equipment from damage. 

Now that you have a basic understanding of voltage regulator, let’s get familiar with the high voltage Shunt Voltage regulator: 

Shunt Voltage Regulator 

 This is an essential voltage regulator as it offers a path from the supply voltage to ground through a variable resistance. A current level must flow through that series resistor to maintain the required voltage across the load, keeping the voltage constant.

In simpler words, this type of regulator can absorb the current and is effective to use. These regulators are most suitable for small power supply and a fixed range.  

 High Voltage Shunt Voltage Regulators are used in the following: 

·         Monitoring Voltage

·         Sink Circuits & Current Source 

·         Error Amplifiers 

·         Adjustable Voltage or Current Linear 

·         Switching Power Supplies 

·         Low Output Voltage Switching Power Supplies

·         Analog & Digital Circuits that require specific references

·         Precision current limiters 

Zener diode shunt regulator:

 The Zener diode shunt regulator is is one of the most common forms of shunt regulator. A Zener diode maintains the voltage acoss itself and the load. Zener diode regulators are one of the most common forms of shunt regulator. The Zener diode maintains a constant voltage across its terminals.

Note: With a Zener diode, you will have maximum power dissipation rather than current; therefore, it would require to work out the current rating from the power and voltage given. 

 We hope that now you have a basic understanding of high voltage regulators.