In a general sense a power supply is any device that supplies energy power to an electrical circuit.
Unregulated power supply circuit.
Before we get into the difference between a regulated and unregulated power supply let s first start with understanding exactly what power supply even means.
The main function of this is to supply a constant voltage to a circuit that should be functioned in a particular power supply limit.
There are many types of power supplies.
The output of the transformer is a pulsating sinusoidal ac voltage which is converted to pulsating dc with the help of a rectifier.
Designing a simple dual power supply actually involves a just a center tap power supply and a bridge rectifier along with a couple of high value filter capacitors as shown below.
Regulated and unregulated power supplies are two such categories based on the type of output.
Disadvantages of unregulated power.
Design of an unregulated power supply.
A regulated power supply converts unregulated ac alternating current to a constant dc direct current a regulated power supply is used to ensure that the output remains constant even if the input changes.
For example if your circuit is designed to draw 1 amp at 12 volts assume that component tolerances are 20 and design to meet these requirements with at least 20 50 reserve current in this example i would design a power supply which could safely deliver 12 volts at 1 5 amps without overheating.
A regulated power supply rps is an embedded circuit used to convert unregulated alternating current into a stable direct current by using a rectifier.
What is a regulated power supply.
This output is given to a filter circuit which reduces the ac ripples and passes the dc components.
And the unregulated power supply circuit design skill is great in electronics learning.
Both change a high ac voltage from a wall socket into dc low voltage for any electrical appliances.
In many of the circuit applications especially the ones using op amps a dual power supply becomes mandatory for enabling the and ground supplies to the circuit.
Key difference regulated vs unregulated power supply generally a power supply is a device or an electrical circuit that gives energy power to another electrical device.
This type of power supplies are normally used to supply power to current hungry loads for instance amplifiers control circuits irrigation systems alarm circuit.
Table of contents show all what is an unregulated power supply.
But here are certain disadvantages in using an unregulated power supply.
The electrical characteristics of any power supply will depend on the circuit or circuits being powered but generally all unregulated power supplies consist of a transformer to step down the ac mains voltage to the required level as well as providing electrical isolation and a diode rectifier to provide an unstabilised output voltage.