A voltage reference provides constant voltage despite external variables. They can be made from different materials and used in various devices. Mercury batteries were used but discontinued due to environmental harm. Voltage regulators come in series and shunt forms, each with different applications.
A voltage reference acts as a provider of constant and specific voltage levels, despite any external variables that might affect the voltage load. Variables such as an inconsistent power load, extreme temperature changes, or power sag over time are all made irrelevant by the use of a voltage reference. Voltage references can be applied to a multitude of electronic devices due to the different methods that can be used to regulate the voltage that powers the devices.
A voltage reference can be made from a number of different materials, depending on the device it is used in combination with. They can consist of tubes containing neon gas in tube-based devices. They can also be made in circuit format to be inserted into regulators for different voltages that can be used in variable power supplies. For example, a voltage reference can be used in converters for both analog-to-digital and vice-versa devices. The purpose is to provide a constant voltage to the device, regardless of any reasons there may be for the voltage variation.
For a long time, the use of voltage references was provided through mercury batteries due to the stability they provided. These batteries are no longer used. The practice was discontinued due to the harmful effects mercury has on both the environment and anyone who comes into direct contact with the substance.
Voltage regulators come in two different forms, called series and shunt, and have different applications for each type. A series regulator is used when the circuit to which it is applied is fed in series and has two pins for input, one for input power and one for ground. The output is a one-pin connection, where the regulated voltage is thus supplied.
A shunt voltage regulator has only two terminals, an input and an output. It operates at low current and outputs a regulated voltage which is buffered across the voltage reference, usually stepping down the voltage at the output. The two terminals are simple input and output connections, simply used as part of completing the circuit.
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