DC regulated power supplies can be categorized into two types, including linear and switching.

Linear DC Voltage Regulator

Linear stabilized power supply has - a common feature is that its power device adjustment tube working in the linear region, relying on the voltage drop between the adjustment tube to stabilize the output. Due to the adjustment tube static loss, need to install a very large heat sink to give it heat dissipation. And because the transformer works on the frequency (50Hz), so the weight is large.

The advantages of this type of power supply is high stability, small ripple, high reliability, easy to make multiple, continuously adjustable output finished product. Disadvantages are large, bulky, relatively low efficiency. This type of stabilized power supply and there are many kinds of output properties can be divided into voltage stabilized power supply and current stabilized power supply and voltage stabilized, current stabilized in a stabilized voltage stabilized current (dual-stabilized) power supply. From the output value can be divided into fixed-point output power supply, band switch adjustable and potentiometer continuously adjustable type. From the output indication can be divided into pointer indication type and digital display type and so on.