Basically, the mechanical-type voltage stabilizer is what is called a
"chopper" in electronic circles.
The bimetallic strip acts to control to a stable voltage using a "chopping
technique". If voltage goes high, the chopper "chops" the voltage by causing
the bimetallic strip to heat (due to the slightly higher current flow) which
then temporarily "chops" (i.e., breaks) the circuit and thus allowing
voltage (i.e., current) to momentarily drop back within tolerance.
Conversely, when voltage goes low, the "other half" of the bimetal strip
causes movement and compensates the voltage (i.e., current) in the opposite
fashion to what was described above. Hence, the voltage is now "stabilized"
to whatever was the design range for the bimetal strip. Nowadays, this
chopping stuff is done electronically rather than mechanically.
Roy Malac
'60 TR3a TS63103LO (in restoration)
techman@metrolink.net
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