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Understanding Ripple in DC Power Supplies

Ripple refers to the AC component that remains on the DC output of rectifiers used in metal finishing. Most rectifiers produce a ripple of about 4.2 to 5% at full load, which can negatively impact certain applications, but can be reduced to 1% or less using inductor and capacitor filters. Specialty applications may require low ripple solutions, and 12-pulse circuits can also help achieve this goal.

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Hamid Hamza
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19 views2 pages

Understanding Ripple in DC Power Supplies

Ripple refers to the AC component that remains on the DC output of rectifiers used in metal finishing. Most rectifiers produce a ripple of about 4.2 to 5% at full load, which can negatively impact certain applications, but can be reduced to 1% or less using inductor and capacitor filters. Specialty applications may require low ripple solutions, and 12-pulse circuits can also help achieve this goal.

Uploaded by

Hamid Hamza
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

RIPPLE

Ripple is the AC component that rides on the DC output of rectifier.

Most DC power supplies (rectifiers) used in the metal finishing industry are AC to DC
converters. After the AC is converted to DC, there is always an amount of AC that is not
converted, and is passed to the output of the rectifier.

The only device that puts out pure DC is a battery!

Some DC power applications do not react favorably to high amounts of ripple. The amount of
ripple that could be present on the output of rectifier will vary depending on the type of rectifier
circuit, and what level of output you are operating at (rectifiers that have variable outputs).

Most rectifiers are 3-phase (6 pulse) systems. These may have a fixed output voltage rating, or
they may have a variable output, or they may be variable and provide voltage or current
regulation. All of these system s will deliver about 4.2 to 5% ripple only when operating at full
rated voltage and current levels.

The variable and regulated rectifiers are most typically controlled by SCR’s (Silicon Controlled
Rectifiers). When these SCR devices are used to lower the output voltage or current levels of
the rectifier (phase controlling), the AC ripple content increases. In some applications, this is
detrimental to the application process, and results in poor metal finishing results. Most metal
finishing applications work well with only 5% ripple filtering.

An inductor and capacitor circuit can be used to lower the ripple content to 5% or less when
operating through a typical operating range of 0 to 100% of the DC rating. Additional filtering
can be provided to allow 1% or less throughout a operating range also.

L/C ripple filters can be provided for existing rectifier systems. It is a simple matter of inserting
the filter between the output of the rectifier and the load. These usually come in free-standing
enclosures, and take up little floor space.

Specialty applications usually require some form of low ripple, and needs to be addressed.

Other means of obtaining low inherent ripple are 12-pulse circuits.


The residual ac component which is superimposed on the dc output.

The following formula is used to calculate


ripple percentage.

% Ripple = AC rms volts X 100


DC volts
DC OUT RIPPLE

E OUT

Typical rectifier output waveforms for 3 phase 60 Hz input.(6 pulse units)


Ripple frequency = 360Hz

Full voltage / load Half voltage / load


unfiltered unfiltered
Ripple = 4-5% Ripple = 40-50%

Full voltage / load with Half voltage / load with


inductor/capacitor filter inductor/capacitor filter
Ripple = 1-2% Ripple = 2-4%

Typical rectifier output waveforms for 3 phase input.(12 pulse units)


Ripple frequency = 720Hz

10-100% voltage / load 10-100% voltage / load


unfiltered filtered
Ripple = 1-1.5% Ripple = 1% or less

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