Guys:

I know if you pass a sine wave with a DC offset through a series capacitor that it will remove the DC offset and the sine wave will then be AC, centered around ground.

But if I pass, say, a half-wave rectified DC signal through a cap, what will I get? I realize its average voltage will be translated towards ground, but will the bottom of the wave remain flat or will it be distorted? Thanks.

Don

 

hi Don
LTSpice shows this for this simple example.
What frequency and amplitude do require?
E

 

I realize its average voltage will be translated towards ground, but will the bottom of the wave remain flat or will it be distorted?

It will be flat if the capacitor is large enough for the load resistance, and the circuit is properly designed to discharge the capacitor at the bottom of the rectified signal.

What is the frequency of the rectified signal, and what is the load at the capacitor output?

 

hi Don
LTSpice shows this for this simple example.
What frequency and amplitude do require?
E
View attachment 345510

1N4001 with a maximum PIV fo 50V was probably not the best example. I think some of what you are seeing is reverse breakdown, as there will be 200V across the diode at maximum.

 

hi Ian.
Fair point, thanks for the heads up.
E

 

The wave is on the order of 100 kHz.

 

Eric, note that there is no discharge path between the diode and the capacitor, so it will eventually charge up to the peak V1 voltage.

 

The wave is on the order of 100 kHz.

What about its amplitude and the load impedance?

 

Hi Carl,
I did observe that effect, but like you, I need more info from the TS regarding the Signal input
Eric

 

The amplitude is less than 3.7 V and the load is high-impedance (op amp).

 

hi Don,
This rough plot shows two options.
Exactly what are you aiming for?

E

 

This rough plot shows two options.

Also need a resistor from the junction of D2 and C2 to ground to discharge the resistor.