Ripple Current Definition:
The ripple current occurs when voltage is smoothed out by the fluctuating flow of current through a circuit or component.
It is common for an electrical circuit to retain a small amount of AC voltage ripple, even after filtering or regulating. The AC ripple can result in an unwanted fluctuation in DC voltage levels due to power supply variations or other factors.
What is Ripple Current Calculator?
The ripple current calculator works by calculating how much ripple will flow through a circuit. Using this type of calculator is especially helpful in electronic circuit design, where ripple current can mess with the output voltage and reduce efficiency.
A ripple current calculator takes into account several key factors when calculating the ripple current. They include the input voltage, output voltage, switching frequency, and inductance of the circuit. By entering these values into the calculator, the user can determine how much AC ripple will flow through the circuit, so they can design circuits with the right amount.
Formula for Ripple Current Calculation:
Iripple = Vo/Vi * (Vi – Vo)/(Fs * L)
Where:
- Iripple = Ripple current in Amperes
- Vo = Output voltage in Volts
- Vi = Input voltage in Volts
- Fs = Switching frequency in Hertz
- L = Inductance in Henrys
Example:
Let’s say we have an electronic circuit with an input voltage of 12V, output voltage of 5V, switching frequency of 50kHz, and inductance of 100μH. We can use the formula above to calculate the ripple current as follows:
Iripple = 5/12 * (12 – 5)/(50,000 * 100 x 10^-6)
Iripple = 0.04167 A or 41.67 mA
This means that the ripple current in the circuit is 41.67 milliamperes, which is the amount of AC ripple that will flow through the circuit or component.
How to Calculate Ripple Current Using a Ripple Current Calculator
To calculate ripple current using a ripple current calculator, follow these steps:
- Determine the input voltage, output voltage, switching frequency, and inductance of the circuit.
- Enter these values into the ripple current calculator.
- The calculator will use the formula Iripple = Vo/Vi * (Vi – Vo)/(Fs * L) to calculate the ripple current.
- The calculated value will be displayed in the output field.
- If necessary, round the value to the appropriate number of decimal places for better readability.
The use of ripple current calculators can help circuit designers ensure that they are operating with the appropriate level of ripple current, preventing unwanted peaks and valleys in the output voltage and improving overall circuit efficiency.