Moderating Load Voltage Using a Capacitor

by Louis Melgar

Submitted : Fall 2009

For a reasonably constant voltage across a resistor, a capacitor is added in parallel circuit to moderate the voltage from an incoming current. Determining the effect that this capacitance has on the resistor voltage is beneficial for building these circuits. Using Calculus, differential equations, and a current law, an equation is obtained which can be applied to relating amperage, frequency, current, time, capacitance, voltage and resistance. After applying different capacitance values with the formulated equation, one can see what value of capacitance is necessary to have a reasonably constant voltage across the load.

[ Back ]