Series Voltage Regulator VS Shunt Voltage Regulator
Hey, in this article we are going to learn about series voltage regulator and shunt voltage regulator. We will learn how they work, circuit design, advantages, disadvantages, applications, and differences between them. When it comes to getting a proper power supply for sensitive loads, the voltage regulator provides a very important role.
First of all, let's know what is a voltage regulator? A Voltage Regulator is a system that always maintains a constant output voltage across the load even when the input voltage changes or the output load current changes. Voltage regulators are used with different types of power supply circuits such as rectifier circuits.
It is very natural that when the input voltage of a rectifier circuit decreased or increases the output voltage also be decreased or increases. Not only the input voltage variation but the load current variation also causes to change in the output voltage. For example, when the load draws a very high current the output voltage will decrease. These variations in the output voltage may affect the operation of sensitive loads. But when a voltage regulator circuit is used with this rectifier circuit it will take care of the output voltage by maintaining a constant voltage level.
Series Voltage Regulator
A series voltage regulator is a voltage regulator circuit where the regulating component is connected in series between the power source and load. As the regulating component is connected in series that is why it is known as Series Voltage Regulator.
Common Example: Series feedback regulator using Transistor.
Here, you can see a basic circuit diagram of a series voltage regulator. You can see the control element(here the transistor) is connected between the input and output. It basically drops the voltage to maintain a constant output voltage. When the input voltage is very high, it will drop more voltage so the output voltage will keep maintained. The regulating component makes the voltage drop by changing its internal resistance or current-blocking principle.
Shunt Voltage Regulator
A shunt voltage regulator is a voltage regulator circuit where the regulating component is connected in parallel between the power source and load. As the regulating component is connected in parallel that is why it is called Shunt Voltage Regulator.
Common Example: Shunt Regulator using Zener Diode.
Here, you can see a basic circuit diagram of the shunt voltage regulator circuit. You can see the regulating component(here the Zener diode) is connected in parallel between input and output. The zener diode is connected in reverse bias so when the input voltage goes high, a high amount of current bypasses to the ground through the zener diode so the output voltage will be decreased and remain maintained at the required voltage level. Also, the current flow through the Zener diode will be inversely proportional to the current flow through the load.
Difference between Series Voltage Regulator and Shunt Voltage Regulator
1. The main difference between the series voltage regulator and shunt voltage regulator is, the regulating component in the series voltage regulator is connected in series between the power source and load whereas in the shunt voltage regulator, the regulating component is connected in parallel between the power source and load.
2. Series Voltage regulator works in the principle of voltage drop whereas the shunt voltage regulator works in the principle of current bypassing.
3. Series voltage regulator has complex circuitry and working principle. On the other hand, the Shunt voltage regulator has comparatively less complex circuitry and working principle.
4. The main advantage of Series voltage regulator is that it is more power efficient as all the current flow happens due to load only. On the other hand, the main disadvantage of shunt voltage regulator is that the regulating component waste energy by grounding the electric current even when the load does not draw any current.
5. Series regulator uses high current and low voltage regulating or controlling elements whereas the shunt regulator uses low current and high voltage controlling elements.
6. An important disadvantage of series voltage regulator is all the load current flows through the regulating. Due to this high current flow, the regulating component may produce more heat and have less life span. On the other hand, it is an advantage of shunt Voltage regulator that the regulating component conduct a very low current that is only required to adjust the output voltage. So it will produce less heat and have a long life span.
7. Series voltage regulators are suitable for both load current varying applications(such as motor power) and constant voltage applications(such as power supply circuits). On the other hand, shunt voltage regulators are only suitable for fixed voltage applications such as charger circuits, lighting circuits, etc.
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Series Voltage Regulator VS Shunt Voltage Regulator
Reviewed by Author
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May 09, 2023
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Reviewed by Author
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May 09, 2023
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