A voltage regulator is a device designed to automatically keep the voltage level at a constant value. Every electronic device can operate at full efficiency under certain voltage conditions. Otherwise, the devices will malfunction. Damage to the circuit elements of voltage fluctuations can be prevented by the voltage regulator.

A voltage regulator is used when a constant and regular voltage is required in electrical and electronic systems. Especially in unstable network conditions, the mains voltage can fluctuate. If this fluctuation is within certain limits, there will not be many problems, but if there are large fluctuations in the up and down directions, it can cause serious damage to the fed loads.

In such cases, a constant output voltage is needed, especially where critical loads are supplied. Voltage regulators are devices that can get a constant voltage from the output even if the voltage applied to the input is variable. Variable voltage is not applied to the load, it is first passed through the regulator and then applied to the load. It acts as a buffer to protect components from damage.

Modern regulators use high-performance digital control circuits and solid-state circuits that eliminate potentiometer adjustments and the user can adjust the output via a keypad. In addition, the opening timing or response times of the regulators can be adjusted very precisely.

What does a voltage regulator?

In general, every electrical device works with certain input voltage tolerances. For example, some devices can tolerate ±10% of rated voltage, while others can tolerate ±5% or less. The purpose of the regulator is to keep the voltage at the most efficient value.

Voltage fluctuations are quite common in many areas, especially on terminated lines. The most common causes of voltage fluctuations are lighting, electrical faults, faulty wiring and periodic shutdown of the device. These fluctuations damage electrical equipment.

How Does The Voltage Regulator Work?

In a voltage regulator, voltage correction under over and under-voltage conditions is performed in two basic ways: boost and buck. These operations can be performed manually or automatically. In low voltage conditions, the boost operation raises the voltage to a nominal level; In high voltage conditions, the buck operation reduces the voltage level.

The concept of regulation means adding or subtracting voltage to and from the main supply. To perform such an operation, it uses a transformer connected in different configurations with switching relays. Some regulators use a transformer tapped on the winding to provide different voltage corrections, while servo regulators use an autotransformer to have a wide correction range.

Types of voltage regulators

There is a wide variety of automatic voltage regulators available in today's market. These can be single or three-phase units as required by the type of application and capacity (KVA). Three-phase regulators come in two models balanced load models and unbalanced load models.

These can be used in a particular part of an application or in the entire application. In addition, these can be analog or digital type regulator units.

Common voltage regulator types include manually operated, switchable regulators, automatic relay type regulators, solid-state or static stabilizers, and servo-controlled stabilizers.

In addition to the balancing function, most regulators come with additional features such as input/output undervoltage cut-off, I/O high-voltage cut-off, overload cut-off, output start and stop facility, manual/automatic-start, voltage cut-off display, zero-voltage switching.

How To Choose A Voltage Regulator?

It is most important to consider several factors before buying a regulator for an appliance. These factors can be counted as the voltage required by the device, the level of voltage fluctuations experienced in the installation area, the type of device, the type of regulator, the operating range of the stabilizer, the overvoltage / undervoltage cut-off, the control circuit, the type of installation.

Be sure to examine the label details of the device to which a regulator will be connected and check the technical specifications in the user manual.

Since stabilizers are rated in kVA (just like generators and transformers), it is also possible to calculate the power (watts) value by multiplying the device's voltage by the maximum rated current.

It is recommended to add a margin of safety to the regulator ratio, typically 20-25 percent. In the future, a higher load can be controlled with the same device without changing the regulator, in case the degree of load increases.

If the device is in watts, take a power factor into account when calculating the stabilizer kVA rating. Conversely, if stabilizers are rated in kW instead of kVA, multiply the power factor by the product of voltage and current.

Where Is The Voltage Regulator Used?

Today, voltage regulators have become a useful power solution for many electronic devices sensitive to voltage fluctuations.