Voltage Regulator Basics

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Voltage Regulator Basics [Copy link]

1. Q: What is a voltage regulator and what does it do? A: Very simply, a voltage regulator is a low voltage (12 or 24 volts) current directly to 220 volts AC for electronic equipment. Because we usually use 220 volts AC to rectify into DC, and the role of the regulator is the opposite, hence the name. We are in a "mobile" era, mobile office, mobile communication, mobile leisure and entertainment. With this mobile status, people not only need a battery or battery low voltage DC power supply, but also in daily environment, we need a full 220 volts AC, voltage regulator to meet this demand. 2. Q: According to the output waveform, how many categories are there for voltage regulators? A: There are two categories in total, one is the sine wave voltage regulator, and the other is the square wave voltage regulator. The output voltage of the sine wave is the same power as the sine wave AC we use every day, and even better because it does not exist in the electromagnetic pollution grid. The square wave AC output by the square wave voltage regulator is of poor quality, with the maximum positive and the maximum negative values being almost the same at the same time, so the load and the inverter itself are seriously affected by the instability. At the same time, the load capacity is poor, with only 40-60% of the rated load without inductive load (described in the following article). The use effect has improved, but the waveform of the quasi-sine wave is still composed of broken lines, which belongs to the category of square waves and has poor continuity. In summary, the sine wave inverter provides high-quality AC power and can drive any kind of load, but the technical requirements and costs are high. Quasi-sine wave voltage regulators can meet most of our electricity needs, with high efficiency, low noise and moderate price, and thus become the mainstream product in the market. The square wave voltage regulator is made with a simple multivibrator, whose technology belongs to the level of the 1950s and will gradually withdraw from the market. 3. Question: What is "inductive load"? A: In layman's terms, it is the principle applicable to high-power electromagnetic induction electronic products, such as motors, compressors, relays, fluorescent lamps and more. These products need to maintain a much larger starting current (about 3-7 times) than the normal operation. For example, in a refrigerator with a power consumption of 150 watts, the normal operation can reach more than 1000 watts. In addition, when the inductive load power is turned on or off at the moment of power off, the back electromotive force voltage will be much lower than the highest voltage before the regulator can withstand a large voltage, and the inverter can easily cause a momentary overload that affects the regulation life. Therefore, these electrical waveforms require high power. 4. Question: What electrical appliances can be used for quasi-sine wave stabilizers? Answer: Quasi-sine waves are also divided into several types, from square waves that are almost the same as square waves to rounded trapezoidal waves that are closer to sine waves. We only discuss square waves here, which is also the waveform that most commercially available high-frequency stabilizers can provide. This type of quasi-sine wave stabilizer can be used in laptops, TVs, combined audio, cameras, digital cameras, printers, various chargers, handheld computers, game consoles, DVD players, mobile DVDs, home therapeutic devices, etc. Regulators with larger output power can also be used in small electric heating appliances such as hair dryers, electric cups, kitchen appliances, etc. However, inductive load appliances such as refrigerators, electric drills, etc. that are used for a long time are not quasi-sine wave voltage stabilized power supplies. Otherwise, the regulator may cause damage to related electronic products or shorten their lifespan. If you must use an inductive load, it is recommended to use a quasi-sine wave inverter with a larger power reserve if the site provides a large peak power regulator. Secondly, because the TV field frequency is equal to the AC grid frequency, the output frequency of the AC inverter must be accurate. Third, the regulator should not interfere with the TV. Even if these three conditions are met, when using the TV with a quasi-sine wave AC power supply, the screen will have several fixed interference patterns and a slightly green color (using an old-fashioned TV, the color cast is very serious), but there is no other difference. 5. Q: How to choose a voltage stabilizer product? A: The automotive voltage stabilizer is a product used in the work environment of a large current and high-frequency power supply, and the potential failure rate is quite high. Therefore, consumers must be cautious when purchasing. First, from the selection of the inverter output waveform, it is best not to reduce the quasi-sine wave; second, the regulator should have a complete circuit protection; third, the manufacturer has a good after-sales service commitment; fourth, the circuit and product after the test period.