Physics Electronics PMDC Conceptual Practice
PMDC Verified Question 443 of 494
Which filter configuration provides superior DC voltage regulation across wide variations in load current?
A
A simple single shunt capacitor filter
B
A basic half-wave rectifier with no filter components
C
A choke-input (L-section) filter operating above its critical inductance
D
A high-resistance bleeder resistor connected in series with the AC mains
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option C: A choke-input (L-section) filter operating above its critical inductance
Concept:

A choke-input (L-section) filter maintains continuous inductor current above a critical inductance threshold, keeping the average DC voltage relatively constant despite load current changes.

Formula:

$$V_{\text{dc}} = \frac{2V_m}{\pi} - I_{\text{dc}} R_{\text{choke}} \approx \frac{2V_m}{\pi} = \text{constant} \quad (\text{for } L > L_c)$$

Solution:

  • Unlike capacitor-input filters (where output voltage drops with load current), an L-section filter maintains a steady output voltage of \( V_{\text{dc}} \approx \frac{2V_m}{\pi} \).


  • As long as inductor current remains continuous (\( L > L_c \)), output voltage changes only by the small ohmic drop across the inductor winding.


  • This provides good voltage regulation for variable-load industrial supplies.


Why other options are incorrect:

  • Option A: Capacitor filters experience larger voltage drops as load current increases.
  • Option B: Unfiltered rectifiers deliver pulsating DC with no regulation.
  • Option D: A series resistor increases voltage drop and degrades voltage regulation.

Quality & Fidelity Assurance: Every question on BeambePrep is rigorously curated against the official PMDC syllabus with zero filler, zero out-of-syllabus content, and zero typos. When an authentic past paper originally contained a historical mistake or ambiguity from the examining board (such as UHS or NUMS), BeambePrep faithfully reflects the original paper while detailing the nuance and scientific consensus in the autopsy above.

Want to solve full-length papers under timed exam conditions?

Practice with zero-scroll lockdown sprints, dynamic latency zone timers, live peer selection telemetry, and the automated Amber mistake recovery loop.