Series Voltage Regulators

Series Voltage Regulators

When it comes to electrical works, a linear regulator is crucial as it is a system used to maintain the constant amount of voltage being generated. This regulating device is responsible for functioning as a ‘variable resistor’ that manages the voltage divider to maintain a constant voltage output while constantly disintegrating the input and regulated voltage. However, take note that there are many different types of voltage regulators to fit the type of your electrical needs. One of these is the linear regulators that come into two basic forms, they are shunt regulators and series regulators. 

In today’s article, we will discuss what a series regulator is and its difference from the other type.

What is Voltage Regulator?

Series regulator or series pass voltage regulator is the more common form of a linear regulator. Compared to the shunt regulator, this one is more efficient since it can drop the voltage difference between the input and the required stabilized voltage while the shunt draws the current that is not needed by the load to maintain its voltage. Also, a series voltage regulator usually only sources the (supply) current, unlike shunt regulators.

The advantage of the series voltage regulator is that the amount of current drawn is effective than used by the load, although some will be consumed by any circuitry associated with the regulator. Unlike the shunt voltage regulator, the series regulator does not draw the full current even when the load does not require any current. As a result, the series voltage regulator is considerably more efficient.

How do Series Regulators work?

Generally, the series regulators work by setting a path from the supply voltage to the load through a variable resistor.  Usually, a series pass transistor is used. It is located in the top half of the voltage divider, whereas the bottom half is the load. The series regulator uses a variable element placed in the series together with the load. Once the resistance of the series element changes, the voltage drop across it can be varied to make sure that the voltage across the load stays constant.

Usually, for more efficiency and to reduce stress on the pass transistor, manufacturers minimize its voltage drop. However, not all circuits regulate well once the input voltage meets the required output voltage halfway. Those that can do it are termed, Low Dropout regulators. 

Series Voltage Regulator Cost

With a $20 budget on hand, you can start purchasing the cheapest but reasonably basic voltage regulators. The regulators ranging to this price typically require a manual setup in a DC setup, making it time-consuming to install. Whereas, the average cost of many linear voltage regulators ranges from $30 to $50. They are usually very basic, but you may find them either in AC or DC setups. If you look for higher prices, you will find some really expensive products. Usually, these regulators are equipped with advanced technology, making them more durable, easy to set up, and have precise regulators.

Conclusion: Is it Worth it to Purchase Series Voltage Regulators?

Series voltage regulators have the advantages of simplicity and convenience. Not to mention that their output does not cause switching spikes that you can usually see on some switch mode supplies. However, these regulators have relatively lower efficiency levels than the switch-mode power supply. Good thing, manufacturers keep on improving their performance and functionality.

Manufacturers

In the simplest terms, manufacturing is the process of producing actual goods or items/products through the use of raw materials, human labour, use of machinery, tools and other processes such as chemical formulation. This process usually starts with product designing and raw material selection, turning them into an actual product output. 

Solar Products Manufacturers and Factories

In terms of solar, manufacturing encompasses the fabrication or production of materials across the solar market chain. The most common product being manufactured by solar companies are the solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, which are made with several subcomponents such as solar wafers, cells, glass, back sheets, and frames. Before a solar panel comes into life, it will undergo a lot of processes, from designing, modelling, choosing what raw materials to use and then assembling them all to make the final product.

More Than Just Solar Panels

Aside from the solar panels, solar companies have many other manufactured products that are required to make solar energy systems work smoothly, like solar inverters, batteries, combiner boxes, and racking and tracking structures.

Having a solar manufacturing sector makes a big difference in supplying affordable solar energy in different areas. Aside from maintaining the rising domestic and global demand for cleaner and renewable energy, they also help the economy grow, particularly the solar industry. If you are in search of a reliable solar manufacturing company, checking out our solar outsourcing company, SolarFeeds, would help you get easy access to reliable information, news, data and a list of solar manufacturers that can help you with solar products.

Tanzania

Solar Market Outlook in Tanzania

Tanzania is endowed with a rich supply of renewable energy sources, such as solar. This is why the country has lofty ambitions for its renewable energy market, especially the solar energy sector, in terms of achieving its energy generation targets. The current electric generation in the country is derived from natural gas and hydropower; however, the frequency of droughts has resulted in a limited power supply. They are now looking at solar power as a viable solution in order to bridge the supply gap in the country’s energy market.

A problem exists in Tanzania, as well as many other African countries, in the form of some villages and rural areas not having access to electricity as they are too far out from the grid network. In this case, solar panel installations were the most efficient solution to bring power to more homes. There is an innovative financial mechanism that was forged by the government to promote solar power development in the underserved areas. 

The country’s state-owned power utility has also agreed to buy clean energy assets in order to encourage more power producers. In 2020, six small-scale solar projects were launched in an effort to boost its solar energy generation capacity. 

Solar Energy Equipment Supply Capacity in Tanzania

There are plenty of global and online suppliers for solar power equipment for those looking to install small- or large-scale solar PV systems. 

Top 8 Major Seaports & Logistics in Tanzania

The location of Tanzania puts it into a favorable position when it comes to the transport of solar power equipment to the country. The major ports serving the logistics and trade are the ports of Dar es Salaam, Tanga, and Mtwara. There are also many other minor ports but most of them handle passenger traffic.