What is Ripple Factor?

The output of rectifier consists of D.C component and A.C component also. A.C
component in rectified output is called ripple. This A.C component in output is
undesirable and accounts for the pulsations in the rectifier output. AC component in
rectifier output voltage is called ripple voltage and AC component in output current
called ripple current.
Ripple Factor definition:  The ratio of r.m.s. value of a.c. component to the d.c.
component in the rectifier output is known as the ripple factor.

Ripple Factor = RMS value of AC Component / RMS value of DC component

SO the R.F = I(ac) / I(dc)

Ripple Factor is very important in deciding the effectiveness of rectifier output. The
smaller ripple factor describes the more effectiveness of that rectifier. The more ripple
factor means more fluctuating ac components are present in the rectified output.
 Ripple factor for half wave rectifier

Irms = Im/2
Idc = Im/π

Ripple factor for full wave rectifier

For full wave rectifier,
Irms = Im/ √2
Idc = 2Im/ π

This shows that in the output of a full-wave rectifier, the d.c. component is more than the a.c.
component. Consequently, the pulsations in the output will be less than in half-wave rectifier.
For this reason, full-wave rectification is invariably used for conversion of a.c. into d.c.
• Filters: The output of rectifier consists of D.C component
and A.C component also,hence in order to get a steady
and ripple free DC we need to feed the rectifier output to
a filter circuit, or The output voltage of a rectifier is
pulsating in nature i.e. it consists of (a) desired dc
component of voltage and (b) unwanted ripple
components. These ripple components are removed by
placing a filter circuit at the output of the rectifier.
• Filter circuit is defined as the circuit which is used to
remove the ac component from the pulsated DC..
 Types of power supply filters
 Power supply filters may be put in following categories:
Capacitor Filter
Series Inductor Filter
L-C Filter of following two types:
Capacitance input filter
Inductance input filter
Types of regularors
Op-amp power supply