How reservoir capacitor ripple works
The bridge recharges C1 near each input peak. Between peaks, C1 supplies R1. The small-ripple estimate uses two charging peaks per AC cycle and accounts for the load current changing with the estimated average voltage. The plot shows the corresponding peak-to-peak discharge approximation.
Small-ripple approximation with a stiff AC source and constant diode drop. Conduction angle, source resistance and capacitor ESR affect real ripple and charging current.
Change the form inputs or click a component value on the schematic. Choose Try in CircuitSim to simulate the configured circuit.