Question

A shunt regulator is a type of

• A. voltage regulator with the control element is in series with the load
• B. current regulator with the control element is in series with the load
• C. voltage regulator with the control element between the output and ground
• D. current regulator with the control element between the output and ground

Hint:

Series regulator: Control element in series with the load.
Shunt regulator: Control element in parallel (shunt) with the load.
Both are typically used as voltage regulators. Zener diodes are commonly used in simple shunt voltage regulators.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Regulators are circuits designed to maintain a constant output (voltage or current) despite variations in input or load.
Voltage Regulator: Aims to maintain a constant output voltage.
Current Regulator: Aims to maintain a constant output current. There are two main configurations for the control element (e.g., a Zener diode, transistor) in a voltage regulator: 1. Series Regulator: The control element is placed in series with the load. It acts like a variable resistor that adjusts its voltage drop to keep the output voltage constant. 2. Shunt Regulator: The control element is placed in parallel (shunt) with the load, i.e., between the output terminal and ground. It diverts a varying amount of current away from the load to maintain a constant output voltage across the load. A common example is a Zener diode shunt regulator. The question asks about a "shunt regulator". This implies the control element is in shunt. Shunt regulators are typically voltage regulators. Option (c) "voltage regulator with the control element between the output and ground" correctly describes a shunt voltage regulator. The phrase "between the output and ground" signifies a parallel or shunt connection across the load. Option (a) describes a series voltage regulator. Options (b) and (d) refer to current regulators. \[ \boxed{\text{voltage regulator with the control element between the output and ground}} \]