This is a simple means of calculating the required size of the input filter capacitor in a basic power supply, or calculating

the peak-to-peak ripple voltage in an existing supply. It works by assuming that the capacitor supplies current to the load
approximately 70% of the cyclethe remaining 30% is supplied directly by the rectified voltage and during this period the
capacitor is charged as well.
Graphic

Source or native rfflow file
capacitor input filter.flo
I was surprised how quickly this graphic went together using Rfflow drawing software. I think this is the first time I was
able to create realistic looking sine wavesof course, I have lots of experience with Rfflow.
Peak-to-peak ripple voltage
Peak-to peak ripple voltage is a most useful parameter. By knowing this, the minimum head voltage of a voltage regulator
may be easily determined. For instance, the LM7812 series regulator requires a minimum of 2.5V across it to function
within specifications. That means the valley of the peak-to-peak ripple voltage may not drop below 14.5V.
MathLearn these basic relationshipsI use them at least weekly
Q = C * V, C = capacitance in farads, Q = charge in coulombs, V = voltage potential
Q = I * T, I = current flow in amps, Q = charge in coulombs, T = time in seconds
F = 1 /T, F = frequency in hZ, T = period in seconds
Therefore,
I * T = C * V, or C = (I * T) /V
The delta symbol indicates a change, such as a change in voltage or a change in time
C = I * T / V
In this case, T = 1 /F e.g. the time period of a 50hZ waveform = 1 /50hZ = 0.02seconds
Therefore,
C = I / (V * F)
Now including the 70% factor we get the final relationship:
C = 0.7 * I /(V * F)
C = capacitance in farads, I = current in amps, V = peak-to-peak ripple voltage, F = ripple freq in hZ
Note that ripple frequency in a full-wave rectifier is double line frequency. For half-wave rectification, the ripple frequency
is the line frequency.
Solving for V
V = 0.7 * I /(C * F)
The 70% factor
This is an assumptionin cases where the capacitor is oversize, it will be perhaps 80%, but this is close enough for
government work and not very critical.
Putting it to work, a practical example
Assume that we want to make a 9V, 500mA power supply using the LM7809 voltage regulator device, 12V transformer,
bridge rectifier and filter capacitor. Line frequency is 50hZ. How large should we make the filter capacitor?
From the spec sheet, we learn that the dropout voltage of the LM7805 is 2.5V. Therefore, the valley of the peak-to-peak
ripple should be 9V + 2.5V = 11.5V. Assuming that the average rectified DC voltage is 12VDC, the minimum negative peak
of the ripple voltage = 12V 11.5V = 0.5V. The peak-to-peak ripple voltage is double the peak or 1.0V. Plugging it into
the formula:
C = 0.7 * I /(V * F) = 0.7 * 0.5A /(1Vp-p * 100hZ) = 0.0035farads or 3500f
Selecting the capacitor
Since 3500uf is not a standard value, simply scale up to 3900uf. The maximum value is limited by size and pocketbookit
is not unreasonable to go with 4700uf or 10,000ufripple voltage will be proportionately reduced. The DC voltage rating is
generally selected to be double the applied voltage or 25V in this case. 35, 50 or 63V would also be acceptable voltage
ratings. For experimentation, a 15V capacitor would be OK.
In practiceShould you make such a power supply, do not be at all surprised if the DV voltage you measure is much higher
than expected. The reasons are numerous. First, you may not be loading the output to 0.5A and/or the transformer may
be rated for higher current. In such cases, the capacitor will tend to peak charge to the peak of the AC waveform. The
resulting voltage may be 15 or 16V or so. It is important to know this because the LM7909 regulator must now dissipate
perhaps double the expected power. In other words, it will require a larger heat sink to run at an acceptable temperature.
For the futureNovel voltage doubler circuits
Undocumented words and idioms (for our ESL friends)
close enough for government workidiom, there is a right way and a wrong way to accomplish a given taskand then
there is the government wayor the army way
limited by the pocketbookidiom, limited by available funds