Rectifier Circuits: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Halfwave.rectifier.png |700px]]
[[Image:Halfwave.rectifier.png |700px]]
copied from Wikipedia under the licensing agreement of the author.
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.
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 R.
 
==Full-wave Rectifier==
 
===Two diode - centre tapped transformer===
 
[[Image:Fullwave.rectifier_2.png | 700px]]
 
===Four diode or Kratz rectifier===
 
[[Image:Fullwave.rectifier_1.png | 700px]]

Revision as of 18:50, 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 R.

Full-wave Rectifier

Two diode - centre tapped transformer

Fullwave.rectifier 2.png

Four diode or Kratz rectifier

Fullwave.rectifier 1.png