PWMreglering

PWMreglering, or Pulse Width Modulation regulation, is a technique used to control the average value of voltage supplied to an electrical device by switching the power supply on and off rapidly. The "duty cycle" of this switching determines the average voltage. A duty cycle of 100% means the power is always on, resulting in the maximum voltage, while a duty cycle of 0% means the power is always off, resulting in zero voltage. Intermediate duty cycles provide a corresponding intermediate average voltage.

This method is highly efficient because the switching elements, such as transistors, are either fully on or fully off, minimizing power dissipation as heat. This contrasts with linear voltage regulators, which dissipate excess voltage as heat, making them less efficient, especially at larger voltage differences.

PWMreglering is widely employed in various applications. It is commonly used to control the speed of DC motors, the brightness of LEDs, and the position of servo motors. In audio amplifiers, it can be used to reduce power consumption and heat generation. It also finds use in power supplies, battery chargers, and dimming systems. The frequency of the PWM signal is a critical parameter, influencing the smoothness of the output and the effectiveness of filtering. Higher frequencies generally lead to smoother output but require faster switching components.