A
constant voltage source is disclosed having an output current control element, which adjusts an output
voltage of the
constant voltage source by varying its output current, a
control circuit, which acquires a measure for an actual value of the output
voltage and processes it to a
control signal for the control of the output current control element, and a limiting circuit, which limits the output current to a predefined maximum value by action on the
control signal, whereby the limitation is independent of an actual value of the output current. Wherein the limiting circuit has a first pair comprising a first
transistor and a second
transistor and a second pair comprising a third
transistor and a fourth transistor, whereby the first and fourth transistor belong to a first
conductivity type, the second and third transistor belong to a second
conductivity type, operating current paths of the first pair lie in series between a
reference current source and a supply potential, the operating current paths of the second pair are integrated in series into the control
branch, control terminals of transistors of the same type are connected to one another, control terminals of transistors of the first
conductivity type are connected to the
reference current source, and control terminals of transistors of the second conductivity type to a first
voltage source. Further, a method for generating a load-independent constant output voltage is disclosed.