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.