Can a Single Rectifier Keep an LED Constantly On?

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Connecting an LED to a single rectifier results in a pulsating light due to the half-wave rectification, which operates at 60 Hz, making the pulsation imperceptible to the human eye. A bridge rectifier is more efficient, providing a smoother output at 120 Hz. Adding a capacitor across the rectifier's output can stabilize the voltage, resulting in a brighter and more constant LED illumination. Without this capacitor, the LED requires high current pulses to appear bright. Therefore, while a single rectifier can work, using a bridge rectifier with a capacitor is recommended for optimal performance.
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If an LED is connected to a single rectifier, resulting in a half wave, will this cause the LED to pulsate?!
I no a bridge-rectifier will work and is more efficient to keep the LED constantly on but can a single rectifier work?
thanks
 
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Yes, it does pulsate, but it is still at 60 Hz so you can't see it. A bridge or full wave rectifier gives 120 Hz from a 60 Hz supply.

You can add a capacitor across the output of the rectifier and get a steady DC voltage. This is worth doing and results in brighter output.

Without the capacitor (maybe 1000 uF) the LED has to get high current pulses to appear bright.
 

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