AdvancedA-004-001-008
Full-wave voltage doublers:
C
Answer
Measurements and troubleshooting
Type
A
create four times the output voltage of half-wave doublers
B
use less power than half-wave doublers
C
use both halves of an AC wave
D
are used only in high-frequency power supplies
Answer Notes
A full-wave voltage doubler consists of two diodes and two capacitors arranged so that each capacitor charges during opposite halves of the AC cycle. Because it utilizes both the positive and negative halves of the incoming AC wave, it is classified as a full-wave circuit.
During the positive half-cycle, one diode conducts and charges the first capacitor. During the negative half-cycle, the other diode conducts and charges the second capacitor. Because these capacitors are connected in series relative to the output, their combined stored voltages effectively double the peak input voltage.
This design is superior to a half-wave doubler because it produces a ripple frequency at twice the input frequency (e.g., 120 Hz for a 60 Hz input), which is much easier to filter. It does not multiply the voltage by four or use less overall power, making the distractor options incorrect.
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The ripple frequency produced by a half-wave power supply connected to a normal household circuit is:
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