Filters in Rectifier Circuits

Filters
 A rectifier converts the Alternating Current (AC) into Direct Current (DC).
But the obtained Direct Current (DC) at the output is not a pure Direct
Current (DC). It is a pulsating Direct Current (DC).
 The pulsating Direct Current (DC) is not constant. It fluctuates with respect
to time. When this fluctuating Direct Current (DC) is applied to any
electronic device, the device may not work properly. Sometimes the device
may also be damaged. So the fluctuating Direct Current (DC) is not useful in
most of the applications.
 Therefore, we need a Direct Current (DC) that does not fluctuate with
respect to time. The only solution for this is smoothing the fluctuating Direct
Current (DC). This can be achieved by using a device called filter.
 The pulsating Direct Current (DC) contains both AC and DC components.

DC components are useful but AC components are not useful. So we need to
reduce or completely remove the AC components. By using the filter, we
can reduce the AC components at the output.
 The filter is an electronic device that allows dc components and blocks

(removes) the ac components of the rectifier output.
 The following figure shows the functionality of a filter circuit.
 A filter circuit is constructed using two main components, inductor and

capacitor.
 An inductor allows dc and blocks ac.
 A capacitor allows ac and blocks dc.
Capacitor Filter
 A filter capacitor is a capacitor which filters out a certain frequency or range

of frequencies from a circuit.
 Capacitors are reactive devices which offer higher resistance to lower

frequency signals and, conversely, lower resistance to higher frequency
signals, according to the formula XC= 1/2πfc.
 In the below circuit diagram, the capacitor C is connected in shunt with load
resistor (RL).
 When AC voltage is applied, during the positive half cycle, the diode D is
forward biased and allows electric current through it.
 As we already know that, the capacitor provides high resistive path to dc
components (low-frequency signal) and low resistive path to ac components
(high-frequency signal).
 The dc components does not like to flow through the capacitor (high
resistance path). So they find an alternative path (low resistance path) and
flows to the load resistor (RL) through that path.
 On the other hand, the ac components experience a low resistance from the
capacitor. So the ac components easily passes through the capacitor. Only a
small part of the ac components passes through the load resistor (R L)
producing a small ripple voltage at the output.
 The passage of ac components through the capacitor is nothing but charging
of the capacitor.
 During the conduction period, the capacitor charges to the maximum value
of the supply voltage. When the voltage between the plates of the capacitor
is equal to the supply voltage, the capacitor is said to be fully charged.
 When the capacitor is fully charged, it holds the charge until the input AC
supply to the rectifier reaches the negative half cycle.
 When the negative half cycle is reached, the diode D gets reverse biased and
stops allowing electric current through it. During this non-conduction period,
the input voltage is less than that of the capacitor voltage. So the capacitor
discharges all the stored charges through the load resistor RL. This prevents
the output load voltage from falling to zero.
 The capacitor discharges until the input supply voltage is less than the
capacitor voltage. When the input supply voltage is greater than the
capacitor voltage, the capacitor again starts charging.
 When the positive half cycle is reached again, the diode D is forward biased
and allows electric current. This makes capacitor to charge again.
 The capacitor filter with a large discharge time constant will produce a very
smooth DC voltage.
 Thus, a smooth and steady DC voltage is obtained by using the filter.
 The advantages of capacitor-filters are cheaper, smaller in size, readily
available.
 The disadvantages of the filter-capacitor are that it is sensitive to
temperature change, its capacitance reduces with time.
Inductive Filter
 As an inductor allows dc and blocks ac, a filter called Series Inductor

Filter can be constructed by connecting the inductor in series, between the
rectifier and the load. The figure below shows the circuit of a series inductor
filter.
 The rectified output when passed through this filter, the inductor blocks the
ac components that are present in the signal, in order to provide a pure dc.
This is a simple primary filter.
 Inductors are reactive devices which offer low resistance to lower frequency
signals and, conversely, higher resistance to higher frequency signals,
according to the formula XL= 2πfL.
 The Inductor L is connected in series between the rectifier circuit and the
load. The inductor carries the property of opposing the change in current that
flows through it.
 In other words, the inductor offers high impedance to the ripples and no
impedance to the desired dc components. Thus the ripple components will
be eliminated.
 When the rectifier output current increases above a certain value, energy is
stored in it in the form of a magnetic field and this energy is given up when
the output current falls below the average value.
 Thus all the sudden changes in current that occurs in the circuit will be
smoothened by placing the inductor in series between the rectifier and the
load.
Advantages of series inductor (L) filter

 The series inductor (L) filter reduces the ripple in the DC output of rectifier
circuit.
 It has no surge current through diode.
 It has low ripple factor at heavy load currents i.e. low load resistance.
Disadvantages of series inductor (L) filter
 It is bulky and more costly.
 It gives low output DC voltage for larger value of inductance.
 It has poor voltage regulation.
 It has high ripple factor for light loads i.e. small load currents.

Filters in Rectifier Circuits

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Filters in Rectifier Circuits

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Filters

 The pulsating Direct Current (DC) contains both AC and DC components.

 The filter is an electronic device that allows dc components and blocks

 The following figure shows the functionality of a filter circuit.

 A filter circuit is constructed using two main components, inductor and

 A filter capacitor is a capacitor which filters out a certain frequency or range

 Capacitors are reactive devices which offer higher resistance to lower

 As an inductor allows dc and blocks ac, a filter called Series Inductor

Advantages of series inductor (L) filter

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