In a non-linear power supply, how is the DC output voltage regulated?

In a non-linear power supply, the regulation of the DC output voltage is achieved using a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). An SCR is a type of semiconductor device that can control the flow of electricity and is particularly well-suited for applications that require smooth and efficient voltage regulation.

In the context of a non-linear power supply, SCRs function by controlling the conduction angle, effectively allowing the output voltage to be adjusted in response to changes in load or input voltage fluctuations. By controlling the point at which the SCR turns on during each AC cycle, the average DC output voltage can be varied, enabling precise regulation.

This capability to modulate the output voltage according to different parameters makes SCRs crucial in various power supply designs, especially where high efficiency and robustness are necessary. In contrast, while capacitors can filter out ripples in DC and resistors can drop voltage levels, they do not provide the adaptive regulation necessary in a non-linear power supply. Thus, the SCR is essential for achieving the desired controlled output voltage.