Rectifier Definition and 165 Threads

A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction. The reverse operation is performed by the inverter.
The process is known as rectification, since it "straightens" the direction of current. Physically, rectifiers take a number of forms, including vacuum tube diodes, wet chemical cells, mercury-arc valves, stacks of copper and selenium oxide plates, semiconductor diodes, silicon-controlled rectifiers and other silicon-based semiconductor switches. Historically, even synchronous electromechanical switches and motors have been used. Early radio receivers, called crystal radios, used a "cat's whisker" of fine wire pressing on a crystal of galena (lead sulfide) to serve as a point-contact rectifier or "crystal detector".
Rectifiers have many uses, but are often found serving as components of DC power supplies and high-voltage direct current power transmission systems. Rectification may serve in roles other than to generate direct current for use as a source of power. As noted, detectors of radio signals serve as rectifiers. In gas heating systems flame rectification is used to detect presence of a flame.
Depending on the type of alternating current supply and the arrangement of the rectifier circuit, the output voltage may require additional smoothing to produce a uniform steady voltage. Many applications of rectifiers, such as power supplies for radio, television and computer equipment, require a steady constant DC voltage (as would be produced by a battery). In these applications the output of the rectifier is smoothed by an electronic filter, which may be a capacitor, choke, or set of capacitors, chokes and resistors, possibly followed by a voltage regulator to produce a steady voltage.
More complex circuitry that performs the opposite function, that is converting DC to AC, is called an inverter.

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  1. J

    Trying to analyze a half wave rectifier with inductor and DC source

    I am trying to analyze a half wave rectifier with an inductor and DC source load. I understand the circuit but I guess I do not get the math. I am reading a book and this is the circuit and equations they came up with. I understand how they got from the first equation to the second equation but...
  2. Manuel12

    Rectifier circuit for AC sources with 180˚ phase offset

    In a simple 2-phase generator that I am making, I have 2 pairs of oppositely placed copper coils in arrangement similar to this: I would like the generator to power DC devices. My question is: How could one rectify the output from opposing coils? Or, in other words, how could you rectify 2 AC...
  3. J

    Engineering Calculating the DC value of the output voltage for a full wave rectifier

    I need help with part (a)... I know that the root-mean-square voltage is the dc-equivalent voltage for an AC waveform and what my book labels "##V_{dc}## is actually the average voltage. Hence I am assuming the question is asking me to find ##V_{rms}## ... Is my assumption that the...
  4. S

    Engineering How Do You Calculate Load Current Values in a Center-Tap Full Wave Rectifier?

    [New poster has been reminded by the Mentors to show their work on schoolwork problems] I have tried many times to solve this problem, but can't understand how to get the value of Im and hence cannot find the Peak & other values of the load current. Please help me to solve...
  5. HelloCthulhu

    Need to use a rectifier.... but where to put it?

    I built a high voltage ac power supply using a YouTube tutorial so I could use it in my parallel plate capacitor experiments. But since discovering that I actually need direct current to charge the plates correctly, the circuit needs to be rectified. I found a tutorial on building a full bridge...
  6. patric44

    A derivation of the Vdc in a fullwave rectifier with smoothing?

    i was trying to derive the Vdc in a fullwave rectifier with smoothing capacitor , i guess i had it right as my final equation matches the book equation : Vdc~(1-(1/2fRC))Vp , but i am not really sure that my attempt was completely right as i assumed that Vdc is the average value of the...
  7. A

    Rectified Current Through an Inductor

    Hello, I need to find the magnetomotive force (mmf) of an inductor using NI (turns multiplied by amperes). The set up is pretty simple, AC power supply set at 24 VAC goes through a full wave rectifier (4 diodes) and into an inductor. If the inductor has a resistance of 47 Ohms, it looks like...
  8. eigenmax

    Is this a good GM tube voltage regulator and rectifier?

    https://www.circuit-diagram.org/editor/ Hi, I was wondering if this is a good voltage rectifier and regulator for a GM tube power supply? The AC supply is approximately 500V, and the strange component at the bottom is a voltage regulator tube. Seems to work OK but I don't have any test equipment...
  9. Wrichik Basu

    Why are there three wires in secondary coil of transformer?

    This is a 12-0-12 transformer that I intend to use in my circuit: Why are there three wires in the secondary? One is of course the neutral (in black). Why are there two live wires? As an additional question, can I use four 1N5408 rectifier diodes to convert the output of this transformer to...
  10. Z

    Is it possible to charge/discharge this cap fast enough?

    Hello, I'm new and I want to try asking here for any comment or suggestion. What I have, is a common 12-pulse rectifier with its bridges in series and I included an snubber between DC-link and rectifier output. Is important to note that all inductances before the rectifier are small in order to...
  11. adamaero

    Simple strain gauge in rectifier, last part of the problem

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I do not understand this last part: Is this needed? The divide by two is the voltage divider, correct?
  12. A

    Bridge Rectifiers: How Do They Work?

    Ok so I've been reading a book on electronics and I got to a section that talks about full-wave bridge rectifiers. This is the diagram the author gives: In this diagram he says the D2 and D4 diode are forward biased. But, doesn't the current flow through D2, goes through the resistor, and then...
  13. J

    Power Electronics controlled rectifier solved example

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Solved example The Attempt at a Solution I think the red part should be (alpha/firing angle) = 180 - 45 Here since the angle is 45, it makes no difference if you do 90 + 45 or 180 - 45, but i think it should be 180 - 45. Am I right?
  14. J

    Power Electronics Rectifier Firing Angle and Overlap Angle

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Since question says the current is always continous, so overlap is always there. So option B is incorrect. Also since firing angle is increased from 0 to 45, the overlap angle will reduce. So it'll be less than 45. So option A is incorrect. The Attempt...
  15. L

    Single Phase Controlled Rectifier Problem

    Question Consider a heating system with strongly inductive characteristic and with an electronic control of temperature performed by varying the firing angle of a single-phase controlled bridge. a) Determine the value of resistance to to ensure a maximum power of 7500W if this system is powered...
  16. esha

    I Is the Output of a Half Wave Rectifier AC Current?

    In a half wave rectifier only a single diode is present. One end of the secondary wire of the transistor is connected to the p side of diode while the other to the load resistor. The n side is connected to the load resistor. When the diode is reverse biased no current passes through it. But...
  17. G

    Why output waveform look like this in bridge rectifier

    in our laboratory class we made a simple bridge rectifier circuit like this then we replaced D1 and D2 with resistors, and when we connected the probes of the oscilliscope on the load resistor it showed a DC output something like this(sorry for the bad drawing) can you guys explain why it...
  18. G

    Help designing a bridge rectifier

    this is my very first project, and we haven't even tackled this lesson yet, but the time period is really short so i want to start ahead as early as i can and read some reference books about it. my proffessor wants me to design an AC to DC power supply with the specifications of ripple 5%, DC...
  19. L

    DC link and rectifier model, Active current as function of voltage?

    Hi, I'm trying to form an expression for a rectifier supplying a DC link with current, without actually rectifying a 3-phase input. Usage of the model is really only concerned with the RMS values and the active power drawn from the AC supply. The DC link is just a capacitor so that: dVDC/dt =...
  20. T

    When building a crude full wave rectifier how to improve it?

    Say you were building a full-wave rectifier. How many simple ways (if any) are there to reduce the THD on the source caused by using a full-bridge rectifier load? Also, If you used a low pass filter and then an isolation TX (or the other way around?), how much would that help to this end (if at...
  21. Cocoleia

    Bridge rectifier transfer function

    Homework Statement I am asked to decide which one of these is the transfer function of a bridge rectifier I was thinking D, but my friend says D is for when there is only one diode. Can anyone explain what the right choice is and why? This is not homework, rather preparation for my final.
  22. S

    Engineering Rectifier Circuit - Guidance requested

    Homework Statement I have an unregulated power supply circuit consisting of the following: Transformer, 10:1 ratio, 230VAC rms 50Hz incoming voltage Full Wave Bridge Rectifier Filter Capacitor, 1000μF Load - Resistor, 25Ω Find the following: 1) RMS & peak voltage across secondary winding of...
  23. A

    C/C++ C++ program for give equations and error rectifier give program.

    #include<iostream.h> #include<math.h> #include<conio.h> void main() { int n,fact(); float LAM, MU=3, RO, C=0.1, N=10, F1=0, EXX, EWQ; clrscr(); for (LAM=0.1;LAM<=1.1;LAM=LAM+0.1) { RO=LAM/MU; EXX=2/(MU*MU); for(n=1;n<N-1;n=n+1) F1=F1+(N-n)*pow(LAM*C,n-1)*exp(-LAM*C)/fact(n-1)...
  24. M

    Oscilloscope AC/DC Rectifier Problem

    Homework Statement In a AC to DC rectifier the DC signal was Vdc= (6.3+0.4)V and AC signal was Vac=(0.25+0.04)mV. What is the error on the quality factor of the rectifier? Homework Equations σQ=√((σr^2)/(Vdc^2 )+(Vr^2 σdc^2)/(Vdc^4 )) The Attempt at a Solution I know this is the correct...
  25. Cocoleia

    Diodes & Rectifiers: Homework Solutions

    Homework Statement I am practicing problems like this: where Vs=10V, R=2kohm, they say it is like a battery + ideal diode with VD=0.7V I have to sketch the transfer characteristic Vo=f(Vs) and draw the waveform of Vo(t) Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I am really unsure how to go...
  26. J

    Into capacitor, half wave rectifier diode conducts for?

    Homework Statement The time for which the diode conducts is Homework Equations Using integration and differentiation Vc = 1 / C integral (current)(dt) The Attempt at a Solution Vs = -Vc Vm sin(wt) = -Vc = - (1/C) integral (Idt) now differentiate both sides to get expression for I that is...
  27. P

    Signal Rectifier Circuit -- clarification questions from The Art of Electroics

    I am studying The Art of Electronics and am confused about this particular part about a signal rectifier. In the first picture above, the first cap and resistor function differentiate the signal, and the signal passes the diode if the voltage is > .6V. The second circuit improves this by...
  28. Robertphysics

    Ultrafast bridge rectifier module question

    Hi , I have a 50khz square wave from a smps transformer and currently I am using MUR 1620 fast diodes but since they come in individual trasistor type TO220 type packages I have some problems with attaching them properly to heatsink , does anyone know are there any nice diode bridge modules like...
  29. M

    Engineering Output load voltages in Bridge Rectifier circuit

    Homework Statement It appears to me that output load voltages in a Bridge Rectifier circuit with capacitor always seem to be greater than that without a capacitor. I'm aware that the function of the capacitors connected across output in rectifiers is to remove pulsation of the DC output, so...
  30. J

    Half controlled single bridge rectifier

    Homework Statement A half controlled single bridge rectifier is supplying an R-L load. It is operated at firing angle 'alpha'. Load current is continous. What is fraction of cycle that the freewheeling diode conducts? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Well I guess each diode will...
  31. J

    Help understanding a semi-controlled full rectifier

    Hi, I'm analysing the the circuit here http://imgur.com/a/23GUZ And I'm having some trouble understand the Vout waveform and why it goes to 0 when when pi<wt<pi+a If there is always an output current wouldn't there always be a voltage out? The only thing I could think would be the voltage...
  32. S

    Why is There a Factor of 2 in the PIV Rating for a Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier?

    Homework Statement Part C of the problem below. I have the solution but I don't follow the logic. Homework Equations Turns ratio: Vp/Vs = Np / Ns KVL I do not think I need any elaborate formulas to solve this. The Attempt at a Solution Solution Provided by instructor: I am confused why there...
  33. A

    How Can I Safely Power a DC Treadmill Motor from AC Mains?

    Hi, so I salvaged a 220v, 6.5 amp DC permanent magnet motor from an old treadmill and I was having some trouble with it. I believe that AC motors can simply be run from mains power (I have an AC motor from a dryer that I cut the wires from in order to bypass the circuitry and essentially...
  34. I

    Half wave rectifier with ideal transformer

    Homework Statement Determine the rms values of the currents of primary and secondary windings of transformer in the network circuit diagram. Transformer is perfect, with ratio 6: 1,and negligible AC component of magnetizing current, is connected to the sinus supply network U1 = 220 V, f = 50...
  35. T

    Quick question about inverter TX order wrt mains

    Hi, I should know better, but I'm having a mental blank. I was just wondering, if you're doing something using non-linear components on the mains, could be anything, maybe bucking to make a DC supply, whatever. Is it common practice to use an isolation transformer between mains and the...
  36. C

    How do i calculate the RL load in a rectifier?

    How do i calculate the t voltage and current for a RL load in a single phase full bridge uncontrolled rectifier ?
  37. P

    Maximizing Current Output of BLDC Generator for Power Generation Project

    I'm using the following BLDC motor as part of a project to generate power: http://www.rcdude.com/Cobra-C-3520-18-Brushless-Motor-p/c-3520-18.htm I'm able to spin this motor to about 3000 RPMS which gives me about 5 Volts. This is to be expected given that the motor is rated at 550 KVs. I'm...
  38. J

    Engineering Full wave Bridge rectifier and smoothing circuit

    LHomework Statement A Transformer with a stepdown ratio of 10:1 is supplied with a 230 RMS voltage at 50hz connected to a four diode full wave bridge rectifier and smoothing circuit. If the smoothing capacitor value is 1000uF and the load resistance RL is 25 ohms, find: the secondary winding...
  39. P

    How to Achieve DC Biasing in a MOSFET Rectifier Design?

    Hi there, I m a beginner in Analog IC design field. Currently, I have a project which is to design a high sensitivity rectifier by using Synopsys simulator. However, I m stuck in the beginning part which is the DC biasing of MOSFET transistor. The design specification as below: Technology ...
  40. B

    3 phase bridge uncontrolled rectifier, resultant waveform

    Hi all, Having difficulty understanding the above resultant wave form, been looking at power electronics (C.W.Lander) but don't quite get the addition of the wave forms (positive and negative cycles)can anyone point me to some reading of theory I am missing for this, thanks.
  41. N

    Why does source current reverse in single phase rectifier with source impedance?

    Hello folks, Can someone explain me the source current reversal in single phase rectifier having source impedance. I understood the analysis and functionality, but having a hard time understanding the change in current in source impedance from +ve to -ve. How load voltage is zero at this...
  42. mooncrater

    Engineering Calculating current and voltage of a rectifier circuit

    Homework Statement The question is : "A step down transformer having turns ratio 10:1 and input 230 V,50 Hz is used in a half wave rectifier. The diode forward resistance is 15 ohms and resistance of secondary winding is 10 ohms . For a load resistance of 4 kilo ohms, calculate the average and...
  43. I

    Full Wave Rectifier - Capacitor Filter and Output Ripple

    Homework Statement I'm having trouble understanding part C of this question. Homework Equations ΔVo = Vout/2fRC The Attempt at a Solution So to get ~12V at the output, the turns ratio should be 14 because 120√2/12 = 14.14. Using a turns ratio of 14, the output voltage will be 12.12 V. To...
  44. brainbaby

    Opmp as an active rectifier and its slew rate limitation....?

    Please help me on this... The following circuit is of an active rectifier..The inclusion of a diode here signifies a voltage follower for positive Vin voltages ...but for negative Vin diode is off hence the out voltage Vout is zero...and the output of the opamp goes into negative saturation...
  45. R

    How Do You Calculate the Resistance of a Rectifier When Sending AC Through It?

    I am sending an AC through a rectifier and need to calculate the resistance. Is there any particular method of doing so?
  46. K

    Engineering Book recommendations for an Electrical Engineering student.

    I was wondering if someone could recommend some electrical engineering books that help explain rectifier circuits and DC chopper circuits. I've read electrical circuit theory and technology by John Bird and electrical machines, drives and power systems by Theodore Wildi and both seem to lack in...
  47. R

    How does the OpAmp bypass Vf limitations in precision rectifiers?

    Hi all, I am currently studying OpAmps and one of the topics that came up was the applications of OpAmp circuits. In particular, I was learning about precision rectifiers (using non-inverting version of it, thus the diode is pointing away from the "out" terminal of the OpAmp). The thing I...
  48. M

    What is the formula for Idmax in a peak rectifier with a capacitor?

    Could you please give proof for Imax formula of peak rectifier with capacitor ??
  49. D

    Inductive Rectifier with internal DC load

    Hi, I'm new here so I'm not sure how things work but I'd like some help on a question. How do I go about finding an expression for both i_in(wt) and the average current? This is the inductive rectifier circuit I'm working with. http://i.imgur.com/HaWzFfQ.png http://i.imgur.com/kefMiOd.png...
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