Which part of a ferroresonant transformer regulates the load on the secondary winding?

The magnetic shunt plays a critical role in a ferroresonant transformer by regulating the load on the secondary winding. In ferroresonant transformers, the magnetic shunt is a component that allows for the establishment of a specific magnetic path which influences the core's saturation point. This property helps to maintain a stable output voltage despite variations in the load conditions.

When the load on the secondary winding changes, the magnetic shunt adjusts the magnetic flux in the core to keep the output voltage relatively constant. This adjustment occurs because the shunt diverts some magnetic flux during moments of increased load, effectively modulating the transformer’s response to load variations while preventing excessive voltage drops or spikes.

While the voltage regulator does play a role in controlling voltage, it does not directly regulate the load on the transformer in the same manner as the shunt. The transformer core itself is essential for the operation, but it is the shunt that provides that crucial stabilizing effect under varying loads. The primary coil is responsible for inducing the magnetic field necessary for transformer operation but does not interact with load regulation in the same way.