What is the capcitor function????????

[Elits]

Hi all,
i'm curious what is the function of Capacitor after diode bridge in power supply. How it work?when the capacitor charge and discharge? my friend ever told me that the capacitor only charged(never discharge). he said that when capacitor start to discharge, it has supplied again by fullwave bridge. is it true?
it's better if you give some reference...
thanks

ELITS

 

[safwatonline]

the bridge is to rectify the wave , the cap is then used to convert the rectified wave into DC , actually if the cap. is ideal and no resistance is presence "o/p" then the cap charges to the max. and never discharge but since no cap. is ideal and there is always an o/p resistance the cap charges with the rectified wave "follows it" till it reach max. value then it discharge when the wave begins to decrease but with time constant RC , then it will meet again with the rectified wave and charges up again and so on , obv. as he time constant "RC , and maily we control the C" increase the o/p voltage become more close to DC , note also usually we follow the cap. by a voltage regulator to remove the ripples formed.
regards

 

[IanP]

Take a look at the picture below .. SMOOTHING ..
Should you need more details - goto:
http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/powersup.htm

Regards,
IanP

 

[vicky]

HI DEAR,

PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED FILE IT WOULD HELP YOU