Enter the peak-to-peak ripple voltage and the average DC output voltage into the calculator to determine the ripple factor. The ripple factor is a measure of the effectiveness of a power supply filter.
Ripple Factor Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the ripple factor:
γ = V<sub>pp</sub> / (√2 * V<sub>DC</sub>)
Variables:
- γ is the ripple factor (dimensionless)
- Vpp is the peak-to-peak ripple voltage (Volts)
- VDC is the average DC output voltage (Volts)
To calculate the ripple factor, divide the peak-to-peak ripple voltage by the product of the square root of 2 and the average DC output voltage.
What is a Ripple Factor?
The ripple factor is a measure of the residual periodic variation of the DC voltage within a power supply which has been derived from alternating current (AC). It is a critical parameter for the performance of electronic circuits, especially where a smooth DC supply is required. A lower ripple factor indicates a more effective power supply filter and a smoother DC output.
How to Calculate Ripple Factor?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Ripple Factor.
- First, measure or determine the peak-to-peak ripple voltage (Vpp) in volts.
- Next, measure or determine the average DC output voltage (VDC) in volts.
- Use the formula γ = Vpp / (√2 * VDC) to calculate the ripple factor.
- Finally, compare the calculated ripple factor with the desired level for your application to evaluate the power supply filter’s effectiveness.
Example Problem:
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Peak-to-peak ripple voltage (Vpp) = 0.02 volts
Average DC output voltage (VDC) = 5 volts
