What does the term 'ripple' refer to in power supply design?

The term 'ripple' in power supply design specifically refers to fluctuations in voltage that occur in the output of a power supply. When a power supply converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), there can be variations or oscillations in the voltage level that do not get completely smoothed out by the filtering process. These voltage fluctuations are referred to as ripple voltage.

In the context of power supplies, ripple is an important parameter because excessive ripple can lead to unstable and noisy power output, which can adversely affect the performance of the electronic circuits powered by the supply. For example, sensitive electronics may experience issues with data integrity or functionality if the voltage supplied is not stable.

Understanding ripple is critical for avionics electronics technicians since they must ensure that the power supply systems in avionics equipment maintain a steady and reliable voltage output to ensure proper operation of all components. Proper filtering components and design techniques are often employed to minimize ripple, making it a key consideration in power supply design.