Bridge Rectifier Ripple Calculator
Estimate average and valley DC voltage after a full-wave bridge and smoothing capacitor under an explicit small-ripple constant-load model.
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Result
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Calculation steps
Work through one step at a time or reveal the complete calculation. The steps use your current inputs.
How to calculate
Start from sinusoidal peak less two diode drops, estimate capacitor droop between full-wave recharge peaks and use its midpoint.
Vpeak=√2 Vrms−2Vd; ripple≈I/(2fC); Vavg≈Vpeak−ripple/2
Worked example
For 12 V RMS, 0.7 V per diode, 50 Hz, 0.1 A and 1000 μF, estimated ripple is 1 V peak to peak and average DC about 15.0706 V.
Assumptions and input details
This approximation requires calculated ripple no greater than 20% of available peak. It assumes constant load current and instantaneous recharge from an ideal sinusoidal source. Transformer regulation, diode curve, source resistance, conduction pulses, inrush, capacitor ESR and ripple-current ratings are excluded. No mains wiring, isolation, discharge or component-safety instructions are provided.
Unit definitions
Unit selection is independent of language. Each selector contains only units for its physical quantity. Calculations use defined base units internally.
SI prefixes are explicit: for example, milli means one thousandth, micro one millionth and kilo one thousand. Changing a unit changes the interpretation of the entered number.
Using this calculator
Can I enter my own problem?
Yes. Replace the example values with your own inputs. The result, calculation steps, tables and applicable diagrams update from those inputs. Blank or invalid values clear the result; example values are never silently substituted for missing inputs.
Are the results exact?
Results use floating-point arithmetic and displayed rounding. Read the formula, assumptions and any stated data precision before interpreting the result.
Is my input uploaded?
The calculation runs in your browser. No account, file upload or external AI service is required. Inputs are not saved between page reloads.
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