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Ripple Voltage Formula (Full Wave):
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Ripple voltage is the residual periodic variation of the DC voltage within a power supply that has been derived from an AC source. It represents the small unwanted AC component remaining after rectification and filtering.
The calculator uses the ripple voltage formula for full-wave rectifiers:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the peak-to-peak ripple voltage in a full-wave rectifier circuit with a capacitor filter. The ripple voltage is inversely proportional to both frequency and capacitance.
Details: Calculating ripple voltage is essential for designing power supplies and ensuring proper operation of electronic circuits. Excessive ripple can cause noise, interference, and improper functioning of sensitive electronic components.
Tips: Enter the current in amperes (A), frequency in hertz (Hz), and capacitance in farads (F). All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What's the difference between half-wave and full-wave ripple voltage?
A: For half-wave rectifiers, the formula is V = I / (f C), while for full-wave rectifiers it's V = I / (2 f C) due to the doubled ripple frequency.
Q2: How does capacitor value affect ripple voltage?
A: Larger capacitance values result in smaller ripple voltage, as the capacitor can store more charge and better smooth the output.
Q3: What is an acceptable ripple voltage level?
A: Acceptable levels depend on the application. For most digital circuits, ripple should be less than 100mV, while analog circuits may require less than 10mV.
Q4: How does load current affect ripple voltage?
A: Higher load currents increase ripple voltage, as the capacitor discharges more between charging cycles.
Q5: Can this formula be used for switching power supplies?
A: This formula is specifically for linear power supplies with capacitor input filters. Switching power supplies have different ripple characteristics and calculation methods.