How Voltage Stabilizers Work

Purpose of Voltage Stabilizers

Voltage stabilizers provide a steady amount of electrical current to electronic devices when power fluctuates in the house or business where the devices are located. Power surges and sudden power drops can cause serious damage to computers and other sensitive electronics. Voltage stabilizers store power and provide power from its reserve to attached devices, which bypasses power fluctuations. Some voltage stabilizers are also incorporated into a universal power supply (UPS), which is a backup battery system that allows devices such as computers to continue operating for a limited period of time in the event of a power failure. A UPS is meant to give enough time to properly shut down a computer or other devices in order to avoid data loss or other problems.

Standard Voltage Stabilizer Operation

The specifics of how a voltage stabilizer operates varies from one type to another, but the basics remain the same. A voltage stabilizer is plugged into an outlet, which charges a series of capacitors or battery units in the stabilizer. These capacitors maintain their charge even if the amount of power from the outlet fluctuates. Any device plugged into the stabilizer will draw its power from the capacitors or battery instead of directly from the outlet. The voltage stabilizer is wired so that the outlet and the devices are on separate circuits. As a device drains power from the capacitors, the power coming in from the outlet will continue to recharge them. Due to resistance in the stabilizer's circuitry, its power to devices is lower than the ideal voltage from the outlet. This means devices may function slightly slower when connected to a voltage stabilizer.

Voltage Stabilizers with Amplifiers

To make up for the lower power provided by the voltage stabilizer, some stabilizers contain an amplifier. This amplifier increases the voltage input that charges the capacitors or batteries, ensuring that they don't suffer too much power drain from devices when the main power fluctuates. In many units the amplifier remains off when the outlet voltage is stable; should voltage begin to drop, however, the amplifier will turn on to keep constant power input to the capacitors. This then allows devices to draw more power from the capacitors or batteries. While this improves the performance of the voltage stabilizer and electronic devices, amplifiers increase the cost and the overall size of the unit.