What is a Switching Regulator?
A switching regulator is a typically a device that controls the flow of electricity in the form of pulses. By uses pulses, resistance is kept to a minimum and that increases efficiency. Its like controlling a water valve. By opening the valve half ways, you get half the total available water flow. However there is a lot of friction on the half open valve which is what causes you to only get half the available flow. On the other hand, if you could open the valve for one second and then close it for one second and continue doing this, you would get the same amount of water but in pulses from the valve. The friction on the valve is much less when its fully open. Controlling water in this means would put a lot more stress on the downstream side of the valve similar to water hammer. A large reservoir would be required to even out the pulses back into a constant flow of water. Switching regulated power supplies work quite the same. Switching regulators are therefore more complicated than tra
Switching regulators are voltage regulators that convert a direct current electrical power supply into an alternating current, then into a different type of voltage, based on the type of power needed. Before delivering the power to the point of termination, the switching regulator makes one final transformation, returning the current back into DC. A switching regulator makes use of a series of inductors, capacitors and other components to accomplish these three steps, as well as control the flow and amount of voltage that runs through at any given time. Each of the components of a switching regulator perform a specific role in the conversion process. The capacitors and inductors collect and store current at various points in the conversion. Transistors and other switching elements come into play as the means of opening and closing the flow of current as needed. It is this process of opening and closing that provides a key means of regulating the current load and making it possible to c
