Working of L, C, and Π filter.

2.3 Need for filters: circuit diagram and working of L, C, and Π filter.

Filters:
Filters re electronic circuit which remove ac components from the pulsating
dc and gives a pure ripple free dc voltage

Necessity of filters in electronic circuit.

 The rectifiers provide a pulsating output DC voltage across the load

containing some ripple and hence these circuits do not provide ripple free
(i.e. pure or steady) DC voltage.
 The presence of ripple (i.e. AC component) is most undesirable in many
electronic circuits and systems because it may affect their normal operation.
 So ripple must be kept away from the load and it should be removed from
the rectified (i.e. pulsating) output.
 Therefore, there is a necessity of filter circuit for removing, i.e., smoothing
or filtering the ripple and allowing the (pure or steady) DC voltage to reach
the load.
i.e. The output of a rectifier is pulsating DC. [i.e. it contain AC and DC]. The AC.
components are undesirable and must be removed from the pulsating DC. to obtain
pure DC signal. To remove ac components filter circuit is used.

Classification of Filters:

Filters are classified depending on the components used and depending on the
configuration in which they are connected.
Some of the important types are as follows:
1. Capacitor input filter (shunt capacitor filter)
2. Choke input filter (series inductor filter)
3. LC filter
4. π type filter OR CLC filter
5. RC filter.

Shunt capacitor filter:

In this circuit a suitable single capacitor C is connected across the rectifier
and in parallel with the load to achieve filtering action. This type of filter is
known as capacitor input filter or shunt capacitor filter. As shown in fig. (1 )

1
 Working of L, C, and Π filter.

fig. (1): Shunt capacitor filter

This filter circuit depends for its operation on the property of a capacitor to charge
up when conducting and to discharge during the non conducting cycle.
When connected across a pulsating dc voltage it tends to smoothen out or
filter out the ripples in pulsating voltage it is commonly used filter for rectification.

Advantages of C filter

1. It is easy to design
2. It is small in size and cheap
3. It has low ripple factor for heavy loads.
4. It has high output DC voltage for light loads.
5. It is more suitable for light loads.

Disadvantages of C filter
1. Ripple factor dependent on the load
2. Regulation is relatively poor
3. Diodes to handle large peak currents

Series inductor filter (choke input filter):

In this circuit a suitable single inductor L is connected in series with the load
to achieve filtering action. This type of filter is known as Series inductor filter
or choke input filter. As shown in fig. (2 )

fig. (2): Series inductor filter

2
 Working of L, C, and Π filter.

This filter circuit depends for its operation on the property of inductor. The
property of inductor is that it oppose any change in current through it .The inductor
is used here to reduce current ripples in the output of the rectifier.

Advantages of L filter

1. It has low ripple factor for heavy loads currents.

2. No surge current through the diode.
3. Reduces ripple in the output.

Disadvantages of L filter

1. It is bulky.
2. It is costly
3. Audio able noise (hum) is produced.
4. It is not suitable for light loads.

Comparison between inductor filter and capacitor filter.

Sr. Parameters Inductor Filter Capacitor Filter

No.
1 Filter component Inductor capacitor
2 Place of filter In series with load Across the load
3 Surge current Not present present
4 Suitability for Heavy load Light load
5 Size of filter bulky Small and compact
6 Useful in Reducing ripple in load Reducing ripple in load
current voltage
7 Ripple factor expression

6. Ripple factor High low

LC filter:
It combines the advantages of series inductor filter and shunt capacitor filter.
It is also known as L type choke input filter. This name is due to the fact that the
inductor and capacitor are connected as an inverted L as shown in fig. (3)

3
 Working of L, C, and Π filter.

The pulsating output of the rectifier contains ac as well as dc component of

current. The choke L passes the dc component from the rectifier because its dc
resistance is very small and removes the ac components(ripple). The capacitor
offers very low resistance to the ac ripples hence capacitor C bypasses ac
component that presents at the output of inductor L but prevents dc component to
flow through it.Therefore only dc component reaches to the load resistor

Advantages of LC filter

1. Load Regulation is very good.

2. Ripple factor is low
3. This filter is suitable for light loads as well as heavy loads.
4. Diodes do not have to handle surge currents.

Disadvantages of L filter
1. Audio able noise (hum) is produced by inductor.
2. Circuit is costly because large values of L and C required.
3. Due to use of inductor the filter is bulky.
4. Power loss takes place in the series inductor L due to its dc resistance.
Type filter or CLC filter:
The Type filter is combination of capacitors input filter and LC filter as
shown in fig (4). It consist of two capacitors C1 and C2 and inductor L. it is also
called as CLC filter or a capacitor input filter. It is used wherever a low O/P
current and a high dc O/P voltage is required.

fig (4): Type filter or CLC filter:

4
 Working of L, C, and Π filter.

The pulsating output from the rectifier is applied at the input of CLC filter.
It consists of two parts: shunt capacitor filler C1 and LC filter.
The rectifier output first charges the capacitor C1 to the peak value of the
rectifier output. The capacitor tends to hold the charge between successive peaks
discharging slowly through L and RL.
Major part of filtering is done by capacitor C1because it offers low
resistance path for the ripple frequency. The remaining output fluctuations are
opposed by the series choke and bypassed to ground through C2.
This circuit provides much better filtering than LC filter circuit as capacitor
C1is connected across the supply it would required high pulses of current if the
load current is large. These high peak current pulses may damage the rectifier
diode .hence this filter is used with low current equipments.

Advantages of π filter

1. Easy to design
2. Reduction in the ripple content of the output voltage waveform
3. In addition to that the ripple factor is very low.
4. High dc voltage (approximately Vm)
5. Increase in the average load voltage.

Disadvantage of π filter:
1. Ripple factor depends on load.
2. Due to use of inductor the filter is bulky.
3. Circuit is costly because large number of components required.
4. High peak diode current.
5. Power loss takes place in the series inductor L due to its dc resistance

Comparison of L, C, LC and π filter on the basis of – usefullness in reducing

ripple or suitability for heavy / light load.

Sr.N Parameter L filter C filter LC filter π filter

o
1 Usefulness in Low High High Highest
ripple reduction
2 Suitability for Heavy Light Both light & Light Load
load Load Load Heavy Load