Understanding Chokes in Electrical Circuits

A choke is an inductor used in electrical and electronic circuits to block or “choke” high-frequency AC

signals while allowing low-frequency or DC currents to pass. Uses of a choke in circuits

Filtering: Used in power supplies to smooth or filter out AC ripple from rectified DC.

Noise suppression: Blocks high-frequency electrical noise and prevents it from entering or

leaving a circuit. Common in EMI/EMC filters. Current limiting: Controls the current

in certain circuits, especially those with lamps or discharge tubes. Energy storage in

switching circuits: Stores energy in its magnetic field in SMPS, buck/boost converters,

etc. Use in fluorescent lamps (older designs): Regulates current and provides a voltage