How To Reduce Voltage

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How To Reduce Voltage
How To Reduce Voltage

Video: How To Reduce Voltage

Video: How To Reduce Voltage
Video: Voltage divider tutorial 2024, March
Anonim

Sometimes the load is designed to be powered at a lower voltage than that supplied by the existing source. In addition, some loads with reduced voltage operate in light mode and last longer. The way to reduce the voltage on the powered device depends on its type and parameters.

How to reduce voltage
How to reduce voltage

Instructions

Step 1

Before lowering the supply voltage to the load, make sure that such a decrease will actually benefit the load. For example, in a halogen lamp, a decrease in voltage can cause the interruption of the tungsten exchange cycle between the filament and the gas, and it will burn out even faster, the electric motor, if the voltage is too low, can stop, start consuming increased current and burn out, and a pulsed power supply or energy-saving lamp can start working in unfavorable conditions and fail very quickly.

Step 2

The simplest, almost universal way to lower the voltage across a load is to connect a resistor in series with it. Choose a resistor that can withstand the power dissipated on it. In this case, the efficiency will decrease slightly. If you are completely sure that the load is active, use a reactance element - a suitable capacitor or inductor. For safety, shunt the capacitor with a megohm resistor. If there are two identical resistive loads, connect them in series.

Step 3

To lower (and increase) the alternating voltage, auto-transformers have been used for about a century. Unlike transformers, they do not provide galvanic isolation, but at the same power they have much smaller dimensions. Laboratory autotransformers (LATRs) are especially convenient, allowing smooth regulation of the output voltage. Choose the right autotransformer in terms of power, and in no case do not use it on direct current.

Step 4

To lower a small DC voltage with its simultaneous stabilization, use a parametric or compensation stabilizer. The second is more complex, but more efficient. A switching regulator has an even higher efficiency, but it can interfere with a load in which there are circuits that are sensitive to them.

Step 5

Power supplies of various designs can convert high voltage to low voltage with simultaneous galvanic isolation from the mains. Such units - internal or external - are widely used in modern electronic equipment. Many of them are equipped with built-in stabilizers. Choose the right unit depending on the load parameters (voltage, current, noise sensitivity).

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