Rectifier Circuits: Difference between revisions

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==Half-wave Rectifier==
==Half-wave Rectifier==
[[Image:Halfwave.rectifier.png |700px]]
copied from Wikipedia under the licensing agreement of the author.
The circuit above illustrates the effect of a single diode in an AC line. The effect is that half of the AC sine curve is "chopped off". This is a very inefficient way of rectifying AC, but may be used to reduce power to a resistive load.

Revision as of 18:45, 18 December 2008

related wiki pages : Electronic Theory, capacitors. Inductors, Voltage, Current, Oscillator Design, Power Supply Design. Filters

What is a Rectifier

A rectifier converts Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC). This is usually achieved by using a diode, which allows current to flow only in one direction.

Half-wave Rectifier

Halfwave.rectifier.png copied from Wikipedia under the licensing agreement of the author.

The circuit above illustrates the effect of a single diode in an AC line. The effect is that half of the AC sine curve is "chopped off". This is a very inefficient way of rectifying AC, but may be used to reduce power to a resistive load.