Regulated vs Unregulated Output

Definition

• Regulated output means that the system is constantly stabilizing the output against a reference point regardless of line in and load conditions.
• Unregulated output means that the system output can vary depends on line in and load conditions.

Key difference

Regulated device has a closed loop feedback control where unregulated device has an open loop control.

Example

• Voltage regulator is a regulated output device
• Transformer is a unregulated out device.