Question

The value of ripple factor for full wave rectifier is
A) 41%
B) 141%
C) 48.2%
D) 121%

Answer 1

A rectifier is an electrical device which converts alternating current into direct current. Rectifiers are of two types the first one is a half wave rectifier while the other one is a full wave rectifier. In a half wave rectifier half of the AC input remains unused hence its conversion is not as efficient as in the case of a full wave rectifier.

Complete step by step answer: As stated above a rectifier converts alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). However, when rectification occurs through the rectifier circuit there is no guarantee of accurate DC output, thus causing ripples. Hence, the output of a rectifier includes AC component as well as DC component. The ripples are nothing but the AC components within the resolved output. Thus the ripple factor can be defined as the ratio of root mean square value of AC component in the rectifier output to the root mean square value of the DC component in the rectifier output. Hence, mathematically we can write as,
$R.F. = \dfrac{{{I_{RMS(AC)}}}}{{{I_{RMS(DC)}}}}$
Where, R.F. is the ripple factor, ${{I_{RMS(AC)}}}$ and ${{I_{RMS(DC)}}}$ are root mean square value of AC component and root mean square value of the DC component in the rectifier output respectively.
The ripple factor for a full wave rectifier is 0.482 which can also be written as 48.2 %.

Therefore, option c is the correct option.

Note:
-Ripple factor is the measure of effectiveness of a rectifier.
-Ripple factor is also very significant while determining the efficiency of a rectifier. Lower the value of ripple factor higher will be the efficiency of the rectifier.
-As we know that half wave rectifier is less efficient as compared to a full wave rectifier, hence its ripple factor is greater than that of a full wave rectifier and its value is 1.21.