What is Voltage Source ?

In electronic and electrical circuits, we have a responsibility to provide the components required for the circuit’s operation. For this purpose, we utilized voltage and current energy sources. The dynamic circuit components are the energy sources since they can supply power or gain power in the circuit. We will discuss the different kinds of voltage sources and what they are in this article.

In this article, we will be going through What is Voltage Source, We will go through types of Voltage Sources that are Independent and Dependent Voltage Sources, Further Independent Sources are Categorized as Direct and Alternating Sources and on the basis of Internal Resistance they are Categorized in Ideal Voltage Source and Practical Voltage Source, Dependent Sources are Categorized as Voltage Controlled Voltage Sources (VCVS) and Current Controlled Voltage Source (CCVS), At last, we will conclude our Article with Some FAQs.

Voltage Source

An element of a circuit that serves to create a potential difference between two points in a circuit is called a voltage source. It is essentially an active circuit element that provides the circuit with the potential energy required to pass electrical current through it. A voltage source is a device that is connected to a two-terminal circuit and maintains a constant pressure to allow electrons (electric current) to move through the circuit. Cells, batteries, generators, and other devices that can generate voltage are common practical examples of voltage sources.

Types of Voltage Sources

Voltage sources are typically divided into two categories, They are:

• Independent Voltage Sources.
• Dependent Voltage Sources.

Independent Voltage Sources

An independent voltage source is again divided into two types, They are.

• Direct Voltage Sources
• Alternating Voltage Sources

Direct Voltage Sources

Devices or components in electrical circuits that produce a constant voltage output and maintain a constant potential difference across their terminals are referred to as direct voltage sources or direct current (DC) sources. In contrast to Alternating Current (AC) sources, which ceaselessly differ in extremity and greatness, DC sources give a steady and unidirectional progression of electric charge. Some important aspects of direct voltage sources are as follows:

Output at a Constant Voltage

• Characteristic: The essential element of an immediate voltage source is its capacity to supply a consistent voltage level over the long run.
• Stability: This security is significant in applications where a steady electrical potential is required.

Unidirectional Current Flow

• Flow of Charge: Electric charge (current) flows in a single direction in a direct voltage source. The negative terminal is replaced by the positive terminal by electrons.
• Straightforward Circuitry: This effortlessness of the current stream makes DC sources appropriate for direct circuit plans.

Independent Voltage Sources

Alternating Voltage Sources

Alternating Voltage Sources, regularly referred to as Alternating Current (AC) sources, are gadgets or components in electrical circuits that produce a consistently changing voltage yield. AC sources, in contrast to Direct Current (DC) sources, produce a sinusoidal voltage that changes over time. Alternating Voltage Sources’ most important features are as follows:

Sinusoidal Voltage Variation

• Characteristic: The characterizing element of AC sources is the sinusoidal variety of voltage over the long run. This indicates that the voltage fluctuates between positive and negative values regularly.
• Representation: The voltage waveform is frequently represented mathematically by a sine or cosine function.

Polarity Reversal

• Polarity Change: The electric current in AC sources occasionally reverses direction. Electrons move to and froth, making a substituting stream.
• Frequency: Hertz (Hz) is the unit of measurement for the rate at which the polarity shifts.

Common Types of Alternating Voltage Sources

• Generators: Electromagnetic induction results in the production of alternating voltage by AC generators, such as those found in power plants.
• Power Outlets: AC voltage is typically provided by household power outlets. AC at 60 Hz is the norm in many places.

Dependent Voltage Sources

A dependent voltage source is a type of voltage source whose output voltage is dependent on any other voltage or current in the circuit. Controlled voltage sources are two other names for dependent voltage sources.

There are two types of controlled voltage sources:

• Voltage Controlled Voltage Source (VCVS)
• Current Controlled Voltage Source (CCVS)

A voltage-dependent voltage source (VDVS) or voltage-controlled voltage source (VCVS) is a voltage source whose output voltage is dependent on the voltage in any other part of the electric circuit. In contrast, a voltage source is referred to as a current-dependent voltage source (CDVS) or a current-controlled voltage source (CCVS) when its output voltage is dependent on the current in any other part of the circuit.

Dependent Voltage Sources

The figure depicts a diamond-shaped symbol with polarity marks that are used to represent dependent voltage sources. The reliant sources are utilized to show electronic circuits.

Voltage Controlled Voltage Source (VCVS)

An active device with two terminals that generates an output voltage proportional to an input voltage is known as a voltage-controlled voltage source (VCVS). Simply put, the input voltage controls the output voltage. The connection between the info and result voltages is regularly communicated by a voltage gain, meant by a boundary image, for example, “A” or “Av.” The output voltage (V out) can be represented mathematically as:

V_OUT = A x V_in

• Gain in voltage (A): The amplification factor in a VCVS is determined by the voltage gain (A). Higher upsides of An outcome in the more prominent intensification of the info voltage, making VCVS ideal for applications where signal strength needs an upgrade.
• Implementation of Op-Amps: VCVS qualities are many times mimicked or accomplished utilizing functional speakers (operation amps). When set up right, op-amps can behave like a good VCVS with low input impedance and high output impedance.
• Linear Relationship: If it operates within its linear range, VCVS has a linear relationship between the input and output voltages. For accurate signal processing and reproduction, linearity is essential.

Current Controlled Voltage Source (CCVS)

A device that produces an output voltage proportional to an input current is called a Current Controlled Voltage Source (CCVS), also known as a voltage-controlled voltage source. A transconductance parameter, often denoted by the symbols “Gm” or “A,” describes the relationship between the input current and the output voltage in this instance. Mathematically, the output voltage (V out) can be expressed as:

V_OUT = G_m x I_in

• Transconductance (Gm): The transconductance (Gm) in a CCVS addresses the connection between the information current and the resulting voltage. It is the increase factor for the CCVS. A higher transconductance brings about a bigger change in yield voltage for a given change in input current.
• Amplifiers for Operation: Operational amplifiers can be used to mimic CCVS characteristics, which are similar to those of VCVS. A CCVS with particular transconductance characteristics can be produced with the right op-amp configurations.
• Ideal CCVS: Ideally, a CCVS would have zero output impedance and infinite input impedance, ensuring that the connected circuit has no effect on the input current or voltage, nor does the load.

Types of Independent Voltage Sources

Depending on their internal resistance, independent voltage sources can also be divided into the following two categories:

• Ideal Voltage Source
• Practical Voltage Source

Ideal Voltage Source

An ideal voltage source can supply a constant voltage to the circuit it is connected to and has no internal resistance (or impedance). Since an ideal voltage source has zero Internal Resistance, the voltage across its terminal is equivalent to the source voltage (or emf). This is because there is no voltage drop due to internal resistance when the current is drawn from an ideal voltage source. The fact that the ideal voltage source is 100 percent efficient—that is, there is no power loss in its internal circuit—is another important feature.

Ideal Voltage Source

Practical Voltage Source

A voltage source that has a limited inside obstruction and whose terminal voltage drops with the expansion in current drawn from it, is known as a pragmatic (or genuine) voltage source. In below Figure depicts a practical voltage source’s circuit symbol and current/voltage graph.

Practical Voltage Source

It is evident from the real voltage source’s current/voltage graph that the voltage across its terminals decreases when the source draws more current. It is because the expanded current builds the voltage drop across the inner opposition. All of the voltage sources that we use in actual, working circuits have a certain amount of internal resistance.

Characteristics of Voltage Sources

Given Below are the following Characteristics of Voltage Sources

• Electromotive Force (EMF): The maximum potential difference that a source can provide is represented by the voltage it produces, which is frequently referred to as EMF.
• Open Circuit Voltage: The voltage that exists when no current is drawn across the terminals of a voltage source.
• Internal Resistance: The ability of a voltage source to deliver current to a load may be affected by internal resistance.

Applications of Voltage Sources

Given Below are the following Applications of Voltage Sources

• Power Electronic Devices: Batteries and power supplies act as voltage hotspots for gadgets going from cell phones to workstations.
• Machines used in industry: In industrial settings, voltage sources power motors, control systems, and other components.
• Systems for Renewable Energy: Sunlight-based chargers and wind turbines produce voltage to bridle environmentally friendly power.
• Communication Techniques: Voltage sources power speakers and transmitters in correspondence frameworks.
• Medical supplies: Diagnostic and therapeutic devices must be powered by voltage sources in the healthcare industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, We have Gone through in brief About Voltage Source and Seen its Different Types which are Independent and Dependent Voltage Sources. The Voltage Source is the Component Which Provides Energy Supply Required for the operation of the Circuit. The Voltage Sources can be Further Classified as Dc, Ac and other Types based on there Requirements. The most Common examples of Voltage Sources are Battery, Cell, Generator, Etc.

FAQs on Voltage Source

Is it possible to connect voltage sources in series or parallel?

Yes, voltage sources can be connected in parallel to share the load or in series to combine their voltages.

Is it possible for voltage sources to also generate AC (alternating current)?

Indeed, certain voltage sources, like generators, can create AC, while others, similar to batteries, essentially give DC (direct current).

How do ideal and practical voltage sources differ in real-world applications?

Practical voltage sources may have internal resistance that affects their performance under varying loads, whereas ideal voltage sources provide constant voltage.