Difference Between Regulated and Unregulated Power Supply

A power supply is a device that converts electrical current from AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current). A power supply is necessary to convert the current electricity coming from the wall socket to usable voltage levels for electronic devices. If you have ever tried to use a computer without a power supply, you know how frustrating it can be. Without a proper power supply, you cannot run any type of electronic equipment.

Regulated Power Supply 

A regulated power supply is an electronic circuit that is designed to produce a constant DC power supply or voltage. The term regulated here refers to a unit that maintains a constant output voltage irrespective of the changes in the input voltage or frequency and independent of the variations in the output load conditions. In layman’s terms, it converts unregulated AC voltage into constant DC voltage.

Unregulated Power Supply

Unregulated power supplies are designed to provide a constant amount of power (voltage x current). The output voltage will decrease as the output current increases, but it will always remain within a safe range. That said, it’s important to choose an unregulated power supply that closely matches the voltage and current requirements of the device it is powering.

Unregulated power supplies don’t produce a clean, constant voltage as regulated power supplies do. This means that any change in input voltage will be reflected in the output voltage. These small changes are called “ripple voltage” and are essentially electrical noise. If the power supply and load requirements are closely matched, there’s usually no problem. However, if the ripple voltage is large enough in relation to the output voltage, it will impact the behavior of circuits and devices.

One way to reduce the negative effects of ripple voltage is by using a filter capacitor. By placing the capacitor across the positive and negative outputs of the power supply, it will act as a regulator, smoothing out the output voltage and allowing for normal operation.

Difference Between Regulated and Unregulated Power Supply

There are some differences between regulated and unregulated power.

Regulated Power Supply	Unregulated Power Supply
The regulated power supply converts unregulated AC voltage into constant DC voltage.	The unregulated power supply provides a fixed output based on the input and load voltage.
It produces a constant output voltage irrespective of the changes in the input voltage or frequency.	The output voltage of an unregulated power supply is not regulated meaning the output voltage changes as the load varies.
Regulated power supplies are used for all applications that require an exact amount of output voltage.	Unregulated power supplies can be used in applications where good regulation or low ripple is not required
Used in televisions, mobile chargers, computers, and medical and measurement devices.	Used in LED lamps, relays, solenoids, actuators, DC motors, and anything that is ideal for non-critical loads.

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