What are the disadvantages of the linear regulator? how are they overcome in the switching regulator? What is continuous and discontinuous mode switching regulator?
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Disadvantages of the linear regulator:
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Linear regulator waste power in the form of heat.
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Linear regulator has very low efficiency.
- Linear regulator cannot be used for the step-up purpose.
- Linear regulator is not suitable for large power applications.
- Linear regulator has only one output.
Advantages of switching regulator over linear regulator:
- Switching regulator have more efficiency than the linear regulator. Switching regulator have about 70 to 90 percent efficiency.
- Switching regulator is used for both step-up and step-down operations.
- The cost and size of the switching regulator are advantageous as compared to the linear regulator for larger applications.
- By adding windings switching regulator can provide more than one output voltage.
Continuous mode and discontinuous mode switching regulator:
- In the continuous mode switching regulator, the switch is turned on before the stored energy in secondary winding gets empty.
- In Discontinuous mode switching regulator switch is turn on after the stored energy in secondary winding gets empty.
- This is the difference between continuous mode and discontinuous mode switching regulator.