1. What is Line Regulation?

Line regulation measures a power supply's ability to maintain constant output voltage despite changes in input voltage. It's expressed as a percentage and indicates the quality of voltage regulation in power supplies.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the line regulation formula:

Where:

• \( \Delta V_{out} \) — Change in output voltage (volts)
• \( \Delta V_{in} \) — Change in input voltage (volts)

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of input voltage variation appears at the output. Lower percentages indicate better regulation.

3. Importance of Line Regulation

Details: Good line regulation is crucial for sensitive electronic equipment that requires stable power supply voltages. It helps prevent malfunctions caused by input voltage fluctuations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure the input and output voltage changes under different load conditions. Enter both values in volts. The input voltage change must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good line regulation percentage?
A: For most power supplies, line regulation under 0.1% is excellent, while under 1% is generally acceptable.

Q2: How is line regulation different from load regulation?
A: Line regulation measures response to input voltage changes, while load regulation measures response to output current changes.

Q3: When is line regulation most important?
A: In applications with unstable input power sources or where input voltage may vary significantly.

Q4: How can I improve line regulation?
A: Using better voltage regulators, adding filtering stages, or implementing feedback control can improve line regulation.

Q5: Does line regulation vary with temperature?
A: Yes, temperature can affect regulator performance, so specifications often include temperature ranges.