A stupid question -- What is regulator?

[supersun]

Hi, could anyone tell me what is the use of regulator?
Is it an important component in electronic products?
What is the theory or circuit inside it?
And are there many different kinds of regulator?

Thank you

 

[ME]

Are you talking about volgate regulators?

 

[supersun]

Oh, there are many kinds of regulator?

Could you kindly explain? thx

 

[brain79]

if u r not explicit on your questions, u won't get answers

 

[House_Cat]

Because of the way you asked the question, I'll assume it is a legitimate attempt to learn. An honest question is never "stupid".

Normally the term "regulator" is used for voltage or current control circuits.

A voltage regulator usually keeps the voltage output constant under varying loads. A current regulator usually keeps a constant current going to a load. Your computer, for example, has several voltage regulators in the power supply - and possibly a couple on the motherboard - to keep the voltages to the various computer circuits constant at the necessary levels (i.e. +5Vdc, -5Vdc, and +12Vdc to the disk drives; 3.3Vdc to memory chips; etc.)

There are other circuits that "regulate" electronic characteristics, but they are given different names. A circuit that keeps a frequency constant is called Automatic Frequency Control (AFC); a circuit that keeps the output signal of an amplifier constant is called Automatic Gain Control (AGC), Automatic Volume Control (AVC), or Automatic Level Control (ALC).

There are many others, of course, such as speed controlers or regulators in electo-mechanical circuits.

Regulate simply means to control within a defined set of parameters.

 

[supersun]

Thx for the explanation. And sorry for unclear question.

if regulator is used for voltage or current control, is it an important component used in A/C conversion?
Thank you

 

[awan]

a regulator is used to remove the ripples from the power supply and provide constant voltage if there isa variation in input voltage

 

[zanov]

if regulator is used for voltage or current control, is it an important component used in A/C conversion?
Thank you

hi supersun,
Even for DC to DC is important when you need accuracy.

Regulation is done via classical lumped elements as zener diodes, diodes, caps etc. but what these any not as accurate as regulators which designs of these are somewhat compex as they incorporate transistors for example.

If you want to build a simple power suppply why not try just using zeners. Then move to regulators. It helps learn.

 

[ME]

Here is some typical and simple voltage regulator circuits using integrated voltage regulator IC (LM317 / LM7805).
https://www.epanorama.net/index2.php?section=circuits&index=power

 

[brain79]

one of the most important blocks in an ADC is the voltage regulator.
An ADC works on a analog voltage reference, and on in depends its performance. If u want an ADC with low dependence on voltage supply, temperature, flicker noise,... u need a voltage reference with all of these, and all you want, highly cotrolled.
on other words.... the precission of your ADC deppends mainly on your Voltage reference.

 

[ME]

He was asking about a regulator in the Elementary Electronic Questions forum, so I don't think you should start talking about ADC etc.
This will only confuse him, he probably doesn't even know what a ADC is and it doesn't matter.
There are many basic things to learn before learning about ADC and other complicated circuits/IC's.

 

[pico]

Regulate means to maintain something at some level.
For example : Voltage regulator is a device or circuit to maintain voltage level or pressure regulator in the fluid system is to maintain pressure level.

 

[saberbf]

If you look at the basic Electronics book you can find answers of your questions.

like:
Microelectronics circuits by Sedra & Smith

 

[supersun]

Thanks all!
I think I would better get a book to read for details!

 

[brain79]

i suggest read before come to make questions, if u have an specific question, u will get just what u want.

 

[Electronica]

a controller

 

[ciitv]

Not a stupid answer :
A regulator that you often hear about is Voltage regulator.There are other types also.
Now a voltage regulator regulates the voltage - it keeps the voltage at a constant level regardless of fluctuations at input.
Most frequently used regulator - LM7805. It keeps the voltage at a constant 5V - TTL/CMOS supply. It takes in an input of 5.5 to 45 V. Anything below 5.5V, you wont get the desired o/p. Anything above 45V your chip burns!
PS:refer to datasheet for exact input range for 7805

 

[jakjoud]

You see it's not a terible or a stupid question
A regulator is a circuit that is used to control a datum (voltage, temperature...) at a given value, there is many kind of regulator, PI, PD or PID one.
It's used for exemple in air conditionner, or in some factory to control the temperature or an other datum.

 

[sengar_vijay]

A voltage regulator is an electrical regulator designed to automatically maintain a constant voltage level.

It may use an electromechanical mechanism, or passive or active electronic components. Depending on the design, it may be used to regulate one or more AC or DC voltages.

With the exception of shunt regulators, all voltage regulators operate by comparing the actual output voltage to some internal fixed reference voltage. Any difference is amplified and used to control the regulation element. This forms a negative feedback servo control loop. If the output voltage is too low, the regulation element is commanded to produce a higher voltage. If the output voltage is too high, the regulation element is commanded to produce a lower voltage. In this way, the output voltage is held roughly constant. The control loop must be carefully designed to produce the desired tradeoff between stability and speed of response.

 

[poorfardm]

Voltage regulator is apply for making the voltage of the circuit smooth and constant with minimum ripple.
The range of minimum ripple are determming by your need.
There are the same answer for current and temperature regulator.