Rectifier Calculator
A 12 V bridge rectifier with a 2200 µF capacitor gives about 14.4342 V at 0.5 A, with 2.27 V of ripple at 100 Hz.
14.4341991121135 V
Full answer, then cut to fewer decimals (not rounded):
- 14.4341991121135 V
- 14.434199112113 V
- 14.43419911211 V
- 14.4341991121 V
- 14.434199112 V
- 14.43419911 V
- 14.4341991 V
- 14.434199 V
- 14.43419 V
- 14.4341 V
- 14.434 V
- 14.43 V
- 14.4 V
- Peak output Vₘ (after diode drops)
- 15.57056275 V
- Ripple voltage (peak-to-peak) I/(f_r C)
- 2.272727273 V
- Ripple factor
- 0.04545315235
- Ripple frequency
- 100 Hz
- Peak inverse voltage per diode
- 16.97056275 V
- Average output without a capacitor
- 9.912528113 V
- Maximum rectification efficiency
- 81.2 %
Step-by-step solution
- Vₘ = √2 × 12 − 1.4 = 15.57056275 V
- V_r = I ÷ (f_r C) = 0.5 ÷ (100 × 0.0022) = 2.272727273 V
- V_dc ≈ Vₘ − V_r/2 = 14.43419911 V
Rectifier Formula
V_dc = 2Vₘ/π (no filter), V_r ≈ I/(f_r C)
f_r = f (half-wave) or 2f (full-wave); with a capacitor V_dc ≈ Vₘ − V_r/2
Worked Example
A bridge rectifier on 12 V RMS, 0.7 V diodes, 50 Hz, 0.5 A load and 2200 µF:
- Vₘ = √2 × 12 − 1.4 = 15.57056275 V
- V_r = I ÷ (f_r C) = 0.5 ÷ (100 × 0.0022) = 2.272727273 V
- V_dc ≈ Vₘ − V_r/2 = 14.43419911 V
Ripple voltage (peak-to-peak) I/(f_r C): 2.272727273 V · Ripple factor: 0.04545315235 · Ripple frequency: 100 Hz · Peak inverse voltage per diode: 16.97056275 V · Average output without a capacitor: 9.912528113 V · Maximum rectification efficiency: 81.2 %
GATE tip
Know the textbook figures: ripple factor 1.21 (half-wave) and 0.482 (full-wave); efficiency 40.6 % and 81.2 %; transformer utilisation factor 0.287, 0.693 and 0.812 for half-wave, centre-tap and bridge.
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Controlled Rectifier Calculator
V_dc = (2Vₘ/π) cos α (1-φ full), 1.35 V_LL cos α (3-φ full)
semi-converter (Vₘ/π)(1 + cos α); half-wave R load (Vₘ/2π)(1 + cos α)
Example: A single-phase full converter on 230 V with α = 30° and continuous current: Average output voltage V_dc = 179.33 V.
Frequently asked questions
How do I size the filter capacitor?
C = I/(f_r V_r): for 1 A, 100 Hz ripple and 1 V allowed, C = 10,000 µF.
What is the PIV of each diode?
Vₘ for half-wave and bridge, 2Vₘ for centre-tapped, where Vₘ is the secondary peak.
Sources
- The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition (SI Brochure), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures .
Last reviewed: . Factors are stored exactly and computed with 50-digit decimal arithmetic. See how we verify conversion factors.
Cite this page
APA
Scientific Converters. (2026, October 15). Rectifier Calculator. Retrieved October 25, 2026, from https://scientificconverters.com/calculators/rectifier-calculator/
IEEE
Scientific Converters, "Rectifier Calculator," scientificconverters.com. Accessed: Oct. 25, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://scientificconverters.com/calculators/rectifier-calculator/