Regulated power supply
A regulated power supply is an embedded circuit; it converts unregulated AC (alternating current) into a constant DC. With the help of a rectifier it converts AC supply into DC. Its function is to supply a stable voltage (or less often current), to a circuit or device that must be operated within certain power supply limits. The output from the regulated power supply may be alternating or unidirectional, but is nearly always DC (direct current). The type of stabilization used may be restricted to ensuring that the output remains within certain limits under various load conditions, or it may also include compensation for variations in its own supply source. The latter is much more common today. Applications D.C. variable bench supply A bench power supply usually refers to a power supply capable of supplying a variety of output voltages useful for BE (bench testing) electronic circuits, possibly with continuous variation of the output voltage, or just some preset voltages. Some have multiple selectable ranges of current/voltage limits which tend to be anti-proportional. A laboratory ("lab") power supply normally implies an accurate bench power supply, while a balanced or tracking power supply refers to twin supplies for use when a circuit