A current regulator limits the amount of electricity to a level necessary for an electrical device to operate. It is a step-down transformer that allows only a certain amount of current to pass through the device. Most current regulators include circuitry for constant current regulation to prevent damage. Universal power regulators have switches to change the output voltage for different devices. Commercial and industrial current regulators are used to vary the speed of motors to power equipment.
A power regulator is at work every time you recharge a cell phone, turn on a car, plug in a computer, or turn on a small appliance. Sometimes called voltage regulators, current regulators reduce and limit the amount of electricity to a level necessary for the electrical device to operate. Standard household current in the United States (USA) is 110 volts, which is 240 volts in the UK and most of Europe. Many electrical devices, however, require only a fraction of the input voltage – this is where a current regulator comes into play.
Generally, a current regulator is a form of step-down transformer that allows only a certain amount of current to pass through the device. For example, computers typically only require 20 volts to operate and cell phones only require 3 volts. The ballasts in both cases are usually part of the cable that is connected to the wall and then to the device.
Most all current regulators for consumer appliances include circuitry for constant current regulation. This circuit keeps the current going to the device at a constant level to prevent damage. Because house voltage can fluctuate slightly due to changes in overall utility capacity or discharges from the building’s electrical system, this type of fluctuation can cause sensitive devices to malfunction or stop working. The constant current circuit takes the available voltage and stabilizes it at a constant and reliable low voltage level.
The simplest type of current regulator is a voltage regulator, which works only as a step-down transformer. It does not contain constant current circuitry, as is used for more robust devices designed to operate within acceptable ranges of voltage fluctuations. Common types include those found in the starter systems of some automobiles, major appliances, machinery, and voltage transformers used by overseas travellers.
Most common current regulating devices used by consumers do not require manual voltage settings or other interactions. Universal power regulators usually have switches to allow the user to change the output voltage to power a variety of different devices. Commercial and industrial current regulators are installed on certain types of machinery where the modification or regulation of different voltages is required for various stages of operation of the machinery. These are commonly used to vary the speed of motors to power equipment, but operate on the same principle of converting standard current to lower levels.
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