Shault linear voltage regulators are still used in situations where other kinds of regulators are not advised. This paper explores a mechanism liable to induce long duration pulses (similar to 100 mu s) in these devices, which is eventually demonstrated using a pulsed laser facility. Data issued from these tests helps to understand how the electrical network parameters as well as the non-idealities of the devices affect the characteristics of the transients. Finally, this phenomenon is investigated in similar structures with identical purpose. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.