Definition
A power-supply filter circuit in which an inductor (the choke) is the first component the rectified current passes through before reaching any capacitor. The choke smooths the pulsating direct current by resisting changes in current flow, producing a steadier, lower-ripple DC output at the cost of a slightly lower voltage than other filter arrangements.
Plain English
A circuit that cleans up bumpy DC power by passing it first through a coil that smooths out the surges, then through a capacitor that polishes what remains.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical-system and avionics maintenance discussions, especially when describing power supplies and reducing unwanted electrical variation.
Derivation
The 'choke' is an electrical coil that 'chokes off' sudden changes in current — the term comes from the same idea as choking a flow. 'Input' indicates its position: it sits at the input side of the filter, before the capacitor.
Why Pilots Care
Helps deliver stable power to radios and instruments, reducing the chance of electrical noise or voltage fluctuations affecting equipment reliability.
Grounding Statement
Picture electrical power leaving a converter in pulses; the choke-input filter helps smooth those pulses before the power goes to the equipment.
Intuition Check
“Choke” here does not mean an engine choke or anything related to airflow. It means an electrical coil that resists rapid changes in current.
Example Sentence 1
The radio's power supply uses a choke-input filter to deliver steady DC voltage to the receiver.
Example Sentence 2
During preflight checks, the technician verified that the choke-input filter was maintaining steady voltage to the navigation radios.