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A capacitor resists a change in voltage (dv/dt = i/c). An inductor resists a change in current (dl/dt = vl). Together, a capacitor and inductor make a tuned circuit. Usually, in a linear power supply, there is a capacitor in parallel with an inductor in series, and often, in a pi filter, another capacitor in parallel. This reduces the peak to peak voltage at the output. It is also possible to put an inductor in series with the rectifier diode, as as to reduce inrush current. In a switching power supply, things are a little bit different. The primary inductor is a current pump, maintaining constant current flow to the load, controlled by the pulse-width oscillator which switches between on-current from source and off-current from schottky diode. The capacitor in this case filters the output, so as to reduce high frequency harmonics.

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A capacitor stores an electric charge between parallel plates and will dissipate this charge almost immediately when shorted. An inductor stores electricity be building up a magnetic field they generally do not like a change in current and will change their polarity and magnitude of voltage to maintain constant current flow. Capacitors are said to be a supply of reactive power and inductors are said to absorb reactive power.

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Q: Explain the function of the capacitor and inductor in a power supply?
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Why a inductor is used in series before diode instead of resistor?

An inductor will supply better current source.


Is it possible to heat coil using dc power supply?

Yes, it possible to heat a coil using dc power supply. An inductor resists a change in current, proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to inductance. The equation of an inductor is di/dt = v/L An ideal inductor, if connected to an ideal DC supply, with ideal conductors, would ramp up current in a linear fashion without limit, eventually reaching infinity amperes after infinite time. Since no inductor is ideal, nor is any DC supply, nor is any conductor, the current would reach a maximum based on the capacity of the DC supply and the DC resistance of the inductor and conductors. Since the DC resistance of the inductor is also not zero, this means, by Ohm's law, that the inductor must dissipate some power. That will cause the inductor to heat up.


What is the effect on the supply current if the capacitor removed?

It depends on how the capacitor is connected and whether the supply voltage is a.c. or d.c. Assuming you are talking about a power-factor improvement capacitor (connected in parallel with an inductive load, supplied with a.c.), then the supply current will reduce.


Can we use a DC source with an inductor?

Yes, an inductor allows DC to pass through it. An inductor resists a change in current, proportional to inductance and voltage. At equilibirum, an ideal inductor has zero impedance. The differential equation for an inductor is di/dt = v / l


Why the current increases upto resenance frequency and decreases there after in a series LCR circuit?

At resonance, the L and C impedance cancels out, so the current can be calculated based on the resistance and applied voltage. Imagine increasing frequency of the supply from 0 Hz to very high. At low frequency, the impedance of the inductor is ~0 (defined as Zl = w*L*j), and the impedance of the capacitor is very large (defined as Zc = 1 / (w*C*j)). As you increase the frequency, the impedance of the capacitor will decrease, as the impedance of the inductor increases. At some point (the resonant frequency), these two will be equal, with opposite signs. After crossing the resonant frequency, the inductor impedance will continue growing larger than the capacitor impedance until the total impedance approaches infinite.

Related questions

What is the function of capacitor across the supply to the fluorescent lamp when it is used?

A capacitor is placed across the supply of a fluorescent lamp circuit to correct the power factor


What is the function of the capacitor in the fluorescent lamp?

A capacitor is placed across the supply of a fluorescent lamp circuit to correct the power factor


What type of function of capacitor in dc power supply?

It filters ac to pure dc


What is the bahaviorS of the INDUCTOR in ac supply?

Because of Ac supply, current lags voltage by 90 in Inductor.


What is the purpose of a capacitor in a radio?

There are many uses of a capacitor in a radio...Combined with a resistor or inductor as part of a tuned circuit or filter.Used between stages of amplification or processing where DC bias needs to be removed.Used in the power supply to create stable DC.


Why you use capacitors in power supply?

You use a capacitor to store electrostatic energy. You use an inductor to store electromagnetic energy. You use a resistor to dissipate electrical energy.


Why there is no reactive power in DC system?

In case of dc there is no reactive components and current drawn from the supply is in phase with the voltage.due to absence of inductor and capacitor the reactive power demand in dc is zero.


Why a inductor is used in series before diode instead of resistor?

An inductor will supply better current source.


What happens when a capacitor is connected to a dc supply?

is it ? are you sure ? but i know so many circuit where capacitor is connected with ac supply . still , if u connected a capacitor to dc supply , then : 1. if it is in SERIES with the dc supply , it will block all the dc current as capacitor provides infinite resistance to dc current . application : where u want to block dc current.(simple high pass filter) 2. if it is in PARALLEL with the dc supply , it will not block dc current , but if any ac current comes out from the supply , the ac current will go through the capacitor , as capacitor provides small resistance to ac current. application : a) where u want to block ac current.(simple low pass filter) b) to filter the noise (ac components) of dc supply.


What will happen if inductor connected with DC supply?

i think in case of dc supply there will not be any induction


Is it possible to heat coil using dc power supply?

Yes, it possible to heat a coil using dc power supply. An inductor resists a change in current, proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to inductance. The equation of an inductor is di/dt = v/L An ideal inductor, if connected to an ideal DC supply, with ideal conductors, would ramp up current in a linear fashion without limit, eventually reaching infinity amperes after infinite time. Since no inductor is ideal, nor is any DC supply, nor is any conductor, the current would reach a maximum based on the capacity of the DC supply and the DC resistance of the inductor and conductors. Since the DC resistance of the inductor is also not zero, this means, by Ohm's law, that the inductor must dissipate some power. That will cause the inductor to heat up.


What is a smoothing capacitor?

A Smoothing Capacitor is a capacitor which helps to smooth out fluctuations that may exist on a power supply line.