We have seen that output a half wave or full wave rectifier circuit is
not pure d.c.; but it contains fluctuation or ripple, which are
undesired. To minimize the ripple content in the output, filter circuits
are used. These circuits are connected between the rectifier and load,
as shown in the Fig. 1.
 |
| Fig. 1 Power supply using rectifier and filter |
An a.c. input is applied to the rectifier. At the output of the
rectifier, there will be d.c. and ripple voltage present, which is the
input to the filter. Ideally the output of the filter should be pure
d.c. Practically, the filter circuit will try to minimize the ripple at
the output, as far as possible.
Basically the ripple is a.c., i.e. varying with time, while d.c. is a
constant with respect to time. Hence in order to separate d.c. from
ripple, the filter circuit should use components which have widely
different impedance for a.c. and d.c. Two such components are inductance
and capacitance. Ideally, the inductance acts as a short circuit for
d.c., but it has a large impedance for a.c. Similarly, the capacitor
acts as open for d.c. and almost short for a.c. if the value of
capacitance is sufficiently large enough.
Since ideally, inductance acts as short circuit for d.c., it can not be
placed in shunt arm across the load, otherwise the d.c. will be
shorted.
Note : Hence, in a filter circuit, the inductance is always connected in series with the load.
The inductance used in filter circuits is also called ''choke''.
Similarly, since the capacitance is open for d.c., i.e. it blocks dc.;
hence it can not be connected in series with the load.
Note : It is always connected in shunt arm, parallel to the load.
Thus filter is an electronic circuit composed of capacitor, inductor or
combination of both and connected between the rectifier and the load so
as to convert pulsating d.c. to pure d.c.
There are basically two types of filter circuits,
- Capacitor input filter
- Choke input filter
Looking from the rectifier side, if the first element, in the filter
circuit is capacitor then the filter circuit is called capacitor input
filter. While if the first element is an inductor, it is called choke
input filter. The choke input filter is not in use nowadays as inductors
are bulky, expensive and consume more power.
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