What type of circuit controls the amount of voltage from a power supply?

• A. Amplifier
• B. Regulator
• C. Oscillator
• D. Rectifier

Answer: (B)

The correct response is the regulator, which is a crucial device in electronic circuits that ensures a stable output voltage level despite variations in input voltage or load conditions. Regulators can maintain a constant voltage for various applications, thereby providing reliability and preventing damage to sensitive components by regulating the voltage that reaches them.

In voltage regulation, the regulator actively controls the output and adjusts it as necessary to keep the voltage within a specified range. This functionality is essential in power supply design, as it safeguards against fluctuations that could lead to equipment malfunction or failure.

Other components like amplifiers and oscillators may have some role in controlling signal strength or generating specific frequencies, but they do not function to regulate voltage output from a power supply. A rectifier, on the other hand, is responsible for converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), rather than regulating voltage. Each of these components serves distinct purposes, but only the regulator directly addresses the need for stable voltage output.