In a linear electronic voltage regulator:

The conduction of a control element is varied in direct proportion to the line voltage or load current.

From ldwyze:

Voltage regulators maintain a constant output of voltage.

The resistance of the regulator varies in accordance with the load resulting in a constant output voltage.

See Wikipedia's articles on Linear regulator and Voltage Regulator.

Also, see Rohm site for the article on What is the Difference Between Linear and Switching Regulators?

For additional information, please see Predictable Designs site for the article Linear and Switching Voltage Regulators: An Introduction

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A switching electronic voltage regulator:

Switches the control device on or off, with the duty cycle proportional to the line or load conditions.

A switching electronic voltage regulator turns the device on and off multiple times per cycle in order to lower the voltage. The design variables are the number of times it turns on and off, and the length of time it is on or off.

If the device were on 100% of the time, the voltage would be 100%. To reduce the voltage, the switching electronic voltage regulator turns the device off for some percentage of time and on for some percentage of time. That percentage depends on how many times per cycle the device is off or on, and how long it is off or on.

-k6yxh

See Wikipedia's article Voltage Regulator.

Also, see Rohm site for the article on What is the Difference Between Linear and Switching Regulators?

For additional information, please see Predictable Designs site for the article Linear and Switching Voltage Regulators: An Introduction

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What device is usually used as a stable reference voltage in a linear voltage regulator?

Zener diode.

From rkuhl:

A Zener diode* is typically used as a stable reference voltage in a linear voltage regulator.

When reverse biased, the diode breaks down and allows current to flow in the reverse direction when the voltage is above the avalanche point.

The Zener voltage is the voltage necessary to cause the avalanche to occur and allow current to flow.

As long as the reverse bias voltage remains above the avalanche point, the voltage drop across the Zener diode remains constant to provide a stable reference for regulating power supply output voltage.

Hint: it worked for me...
stables are for horses
Zorro had a horse
Z is for Zener

A Zener Diode is the simplest type of voltage regulator.

Hint 2: a ZEE-ner is LEEnyer (linear). Weird, but helps me remember.

Remember seeing Varactor somewhere as an answer? Both hint 1 and 2 work as 'stable' and 'linear' are not a part of a different, similar question:

What type of semiconductor device is designed for use as a voltage-controlled capacitor? Varactor diode

--rkuhl.

For more information, please see Electronics Tutorials site for the article The Zener Diode

Also, please see the All About Circuits site for the article What are Zener Diodes?

View YouTube video from The Organic Chemistry Tutor channel for the video Zener Diodes, 11:09 minutes. (you can change video to higher play speed)

and from CircuitBread channel, the video What is a zener diode and how does it work? | Intermediate Electronics, 3:37 minutes.

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In a regulated power supply, what type of component will most likely be used to establish a reference voltage?

Zener Diode.

From rkuhl:

A Zener diode* is typically used as a stable reference voltage in a linear voltage regulator.

When reverse biased, the diode breaks down and allows current to flow in the reverse direction when the voltage is above the avalanche point.

The Zener voltage is the voltage necessary to cause the avalanche to occur and allow current to flow.

As long as the reverse bias voltage remains above the avalanche point, the voltage drop across the Zener diode remains constant to provide a stable reference for regulating power supply output voltage.

Hint: it worked for me...
stables are for horses
Zorro had a horse
Z is for Zener

A Zener Diode is the simplest type of voltage regulator.

Hint 2: a ZEE-ner is LEEnyer (linear). Weird, but helps me remember.

Remember seeing Varactor somewhere as an answer? Both hint 1 and 2 work as 'stable' and 'linear' are not a part of a different, similar question:

What type of semiconductor device is designed for use as a voltage-controlled capacitor? Varactor diode

--rkuhl.

For more information, please see Electronics Tutorials site for the article The Zener Diode

Also, please see the All About Circuits site for the article What are Zener Diodes?

View YouTube video from The Organic Chemistry Tutor channel for the video Zener Diodes, 11:09 minutes. (you can change video to higher play speed)

and from CircuitBread channel, the video What is a zener diode and how does it work? | Intermediate Electronics, 3:37 minutes.

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A three-terminal regulator:

Contains a voltage reference, error amplifier, sensing resistors and transistors, and a pass element.

• Maximum and minimum input voltage,
  
• Maximum output current and voltage
  
• Error amplifier, sensing resistors and transistors, and a pass element in one package

Since it has three (3) pins, the pin #1 adjusts the output voltage, while pin #2 collects the output, with pin #3 bringing in the current, as it connects to the input. This regulator helps to vary the output when used with a variable resistor.

For more information, please see Home Made Circuits site for the article 3 Terminal Fixed Voltage Regulators – Working and Application Circuits

View the YouTube Channel The Offset Volt, for 23. Three Terminal Linear Voltage Regulators

and from the Channel Circuitszz Analytica, the video Three terminal voltage regulators

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What is the range of voltage ratings available in Zener diodes?

2.4 volts to 200 volts and above

For more information, please see Electronics Notes site for the article Understanding Zener Diode Datasheet Specifications

Also, from Home Made Circuits site, the article Zener Diode Circuits, Characteristics, Calculations

From rkuhl:

A Zener diode* is typically used as a stable reference voltage in a linear voltage regulator.

When reverse biased, the diode breaks down and allows current to flow in the reverse direction when the voltage is above the avalanche point.

The Zener voltage is the voltage necessary to cause the avalanche to occur and allow current to flow.

As long as the reverse bias voltage remains above the avalanche point, the voltage drop across the Zener diode remains constant to provide a stable reference for regulating power supply output voltage.

For more information, please see Electronics Tutorials site for the article The Zener Diode

Also, please see the All About Circuits site for the article What are Zener Diodes?

View YouTube video from The Organic Chemistry Tutor channel for the video Zener Diodes, 11:09 minutes. (you can change video to higher play speed)

and from CircuitBread channel, the video What is a zener diode and how does it work? | Intermediate Electronics, 3:37 minutes.

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