Editing Linear regulator (section)

=== Shunt regulators ===
The shunt regulator works by providing a path from the supply voltage to ground through a variable resistance (the main transistor is in the "bottom half" of the voltage divider).  The current through the shunt regulator is diverted away from the load and flows directly to ground, making this form usually less efficient than the series regulator.  It is, however, simpler, sometimes consisting of just a voltage-reference [[diode]], and is used in very [[Low-power electronics|low-power]]ed circuits where the wasted current is too small to be of concern. This form is very common for voltage reference circuits. A shunt regulator can usually only sink (absorb) current.