what is ripple factor of full wave rectifier

The ripple factor of a full-wave rectifier is about 0.48 (more precisely, 0.482 or 0.483 in many texts). This means the AC ripple in the output is much smaller than the DC component, so the output is smoother than a half- wave rectifier.

Quick Scoop

For an ideal full-wave rectifier, the ripple factor is:

γ=(VrmsVdc)2−1\gamma =\sqrt{\left(\frac{V_{rms}}{V_{dc}}\right)^2-1}γ=(Vdc​Vrms​​)2−1​

Using the standard derivation, the result comes out to 0.48.

Why it matters

• Lower ripple factor = better DC output.
• A full-wave rectifier gives a smoother output than a half-wave rectifier.
• In practice, filters like capacitors are added to reduce ripple even more.

In one line

Ripple factor of a full-wave rectifier = 0.48 approximately.

If you want, I can also show the derivation step by step.