Physics – 4.3.3 Action and use of circuit components | e-Consult
4.3.3 Action and use of circuit components (1 questions)
Circuit Diagram:
| Vin |
| R1 |
| R2 (Variable Resistor) |
| Vout |
Functioning:
In a simple voltage regulator, a variable potential divider is used to create a stable output voltage from a potentially fluctuating input voltage. The input voltage (Vin) is applied across the series combination of R1 and the variable resistor R2. The output voltage (Vout) is taken from the junction between R1 and R2.
By carefully selecting the values of R1 and R2, and adjusting R2, a relatively constant output voltage can be maintained even if Vin varies. This is because the ratio of R1 and R2 ensures that the output voltage is a fraction of the input voltage. The variable resistor allows for fine adjustments to compensate for variations in Vin, providing a more stable Vout. This is a basic form of voltage regulation, although more sophisticated voltage regulators use other components like transistors.