I'm currently making a power supply with a 32 volt AC out, so the rectified voltage would be 32*1.414-diode drop. The value comes around 44 volts. My question is, is it okay to hook up a 50 V rated capacitor for filtering in this case? As the voltage would be 44 V and a very low headroom.
Electronic – Capacitor max safe operating voltage
capacitorelectrolytic-capacitorpower supplyvoltage
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Best Answer
Probably not, unless your load is fairly constant and heavy (in relation to the transformer rating). And even then, it's a bit close. The line voltage can vary as well, but it's not unusual for a lightly loaded transformer to output 15% or more higher voltage than the rated voltage. The rectifier voltage loss will also be less at relatively low current, so more volts across the capacitor.
Assuming a bridge rectifier you can get about 60% of the current rating of the transformer secondary in DC amperes.
Sometimes electrolytic capacitors have a "surge" rating that can handle brief overvoltage above the "WV" = Working Voltage, but aside from the cheapest consumer devices, it's better to keep well within the voltage rating marked on the capacitor. This is especially true when the ripple current is high in relation to the ripple current rating. Also, I see no such rating on your part.
TL;DR: A 63V part would be much better.