Series voltage regulator circuit

The series voltage regulator circuits operate by using a series control

element such as a bipolar transistor or a field effect transistor. The basis
of operation of the circuit hinges around controlling the conductance of
this series element by a control voltage. If the voltage of the output is
tending to rise, then this will be detected and the control voltage will be
adjusted to reduce the conductance of the series element which will
cause the voltage across the series element to rise. As the series element
and the load form a potential divider circuit, any voltage increase across
the series control element will cause the voltage across the load to fall.

Similarly if the voltage across the load is tending to fall too low, then
this will be detected, the control voltage for the series element will then
cause the conductance of the series element to rise and the voltage
across the load will be maintained.

This is a typical form of negative feedback system. The control voltage

must have a reference against which the output can be compared. This is
often provided by a voltage reference circuit based around a zener diode.
The output voltage from the regulator is taken, often through a potential
divider, and compared with the reference voltage, and the error voltage
is fed back as the control voltage to alter the conductance of the series
control, element.

It is possible to vary the output voltage by changing the amount by

which the output is divided down. By placing a variable resistor in the
potential divider, the voltage that is compared with the reference voltage
can be changed. This in turn will change the output voltage from the
voltage regulator circuit.