HomeCalculatorsElectricalPower ElectronicsRectifier Ripple Capacitor Calculator
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Rectifier Ripple Capacitor Calculator

Size filter capacitance or estimate ripple for half/full-wave rectifiers: Vripple ≈ I/(f·C). Runs locally in your browser.

Instant result
Result
—

Enter values to calculate.

Inputs—
Mode—
Formula—
Trust summary CVP VERIFIED · CVP protocol 1.0.0-proposed · Engineering assurance
Input interpretation
Enter values to calculate.
Result
—
Assurance
Engineering
Declared partition coverage
PASS · 3/3 declared partitions (mode-ripple, mode-capacitance, invalid-domain) · Matrix
Known limitations
  • Capacitor-input estimate; ESR neglected
  • Core CVP does not include live graph, viewport, or pointer interaction.
Model
Rectifier filter C or Vripple.
Scope
Constant load current; ideal diodes
Verification
Engine tested · Source checked · v1.0.0 · CVP VERIFIED · CVP protocol 1.0.0-proposed · Engineering assurance· View Manifest · CVP overview · Specification
Versions
Calculation 1.0.0 · CVP protocol 1.0.0-proposed
CVP identity
2/2 property · digest 34938df3719d
Legacy regression
5/5 tests · Production surface contract 4/4
Reference
O1 model · O2 expected_values · O2 numerical_behavior
Interfaces
PASS · UI (SSR) / REST / MCP — ui-ssr is query-result HTML, not a live browser session.
Supplemental domain review
Internal · Pass · electrical-engineer
Named expert review
Not performed
CVP suite
2/2 golden · 1/1 CVP boundary · 1/1 invalid · 2/2 property · 1/1 cross-interface · 1/1 CVP contract · Manifest
Sources
  • Power supply design — capacitor input filter — Ripple estimate
  • Erickson / Maksimović — Fundamentals of Power Electronics — Capacitor-input rectifier
Sources
Evidence
2 legacy golden · 1 legacy boundary · legacy regression suite · 2/2 oracle-backed golden · 1/1 invalid · Artifact integrity PASS · CalculatorX electrical review
This calculator CURRENT · Public schema 1.0.0 matches · Semantic contract ✓ · Production attested · Public/cache ✓ · Origin ✓
Semantic contract
PASS
Full verification

Manifest identity, reference classes, interfaces, suite, and production records.

Formulas

Core equations used by this calculator.

RippleVripple ≈ I/(f_ripple·C)
CapacitanceC ≈ I/(f_ripple·Vripple)
iIdeal diode / constant-current discharge approximation.

How to use

1

Choose solve direction and half/full wave

Solve C from ripple or ripple from C; wave type sets f_ripple.

2

Enter load current and line frequency

I > 0 and f_line > 0 (ripple frequency is f or 2f).

3

Enter C or allowed ΔV

Uses ΔV ≈ I/(f_ripple·C). Continuous-conduction first-order estimate only.

Example calculations

Common configurations with formula and result.

ϟ

1 A · 1000 µF · 50 Hz full

f_ripple=100

1/(100·0.001)
10 Vpp

Rectifier Ripple Capacitor calculator specification

Version 1.0.0 · Engine tested · Supplemental domain review · Internal · 2026-08-08

Calculation status

Review policy · Evidence · Reviewed by CalculatorX electrical review (electrical-engineer)

Definition
For a capacitor-input filter, Vripple ≈ Iload/(f_ripple·C). Full-wave uses f_ripple=2·fline; half-wave uses fline.
What it calculates
Rectifier filter C or Vripple.
Inputs
  • mode
  • wave
  • I_A
  • f_Hz
  • C or Vripple
Outputs
  • Vripple_V or C_F
Formula
Vr=I/(fC)
Assumptions
  • Constant load current; ideal diodes
Units
  • A, Hz, F → V
Boundary conditions
  • I,f,C ≤0 → VALUE_MUST_BE_POSITIVE
Example
1A 1000µF 50Hz full → 10V
Validation cases

1 published on this page · 5/5 tests · Production surface contract 4/4 · View evidence

  • ripple full I=1 f=50 C=0.001 → Vr=10
Sources
  • Power supply design — capacitor input filter — Ripple estimate
    Supports: Vr≈I/(fC)
  • Erickson / Maksimović — Fundamentals of Power Electronics — Capacitor-input rectifier
    Supports: Full-wave f_ripple=2f line approximation
Last reviewed
2026-08-08
Reviewed by
CalculatorX electrical review (electrical-engineer)
Calculation version
1.0.0

Background

Interpretation and common distinctions.

Size rectifier filter capacitors or estimate ripple.

Supported and not supported

Supported — Half/full-wave ripple and C sizing · API electrical.rectifier.ripple_cap

Not supported — ESR, choke-input filters, PFC stages

Agent / API notes

Capability id: electrical.rectifier.ripple_cap · tool id: rectifier-ripple-cap · pin 1.0.0.

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Frequently asked questions

Key distinctions behind the calculation.

Peak-to-peak or RMS?

This formula estimates peak-to-peak ripple under the linear discharge approximation.