Capacitor in whaetsen bridge

Thread Starter

activee

Joined Jan 16, 2014
39
Hey, I had a question last test which was something along the line of
<< How would you smooth Vu ?>> Vu being V on the middle resistor.
Here is the drawing. I wonder why my answer I put there wasn't correct, to me it seems like it would be the same thing as the real answer..
 

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MrChips

Joined Oct 2, 2009
30,720
The correct answer is that shown with the capacitor across the load Vu.

A capacitor is a charge storage device. The best analogy is a large holding tank of water to slow down any rise and fall of water pressure.

It takes time to charge and discharge a capacitor.

A capacitor in parallel with a resistor creates a low pass filter, i.e. it attenuates high frequency fluctuations.

Edit: The correct spelling is Wheatstone bridge
 
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MrChips

Joined Oct 2, 2009
30,720
Your answer makes it worst.

A capacitor in series is a high pass filter. It blocks the zero and low frequencies and passes the high frequencies.

The VU meter is going to indicate the rapid changes which is the opposite of what you want.
 

Thread Starter

activee

Joined Jan 16, 2014
39
Your answer makes it worst.

A capacitor in series is a high pass filter. It blocks the zero and low frequencies and passes the high frequencies.

The VU meter is going to indicate the rapid changes which is the opposite of what you want.
Hmmm I understand I think. At least I'll understand the last bit on my own. I hate to ask but I got a test in 2 hours so I'm stressed. So I would like to understand how this circuit works :

I get that the 2 first diode make it so we have the absolute value of the signal. If I'm correct the capacitor should be loaded so the current shouldn't flow through but it will polarise the signal a bit. After that Does the Zenner diode "cut" the upper edge of the signal ? Then the LED light will light when the voltage at the gate of the transistor is above 0.6v. And I guess the capacitor is to make sure the LED lights up with around the same intensity at all time.(almost)

It would help me a ton if you answered this and I'll stop posting :).
 

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