Quote Originally Posted by imagine View Post
i thought the something else would be a voltage regulator,,,,

also what do the transformers do they put outside to the building.... does that not help to give a steady supply?
1) Yep a voltage regulator
2) A transformer either 1) steps up the voltage, down the current 2) steps down the voltage and ups the current 3) is used to isolate your supply. The reason you might want to step up voltage is its easier to supply using thin cables carrying low current at a high voltage BUT in our homes we need a lower voltage with the ability to draw a higher current.