Where the energy goes in half wave rectifier?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the functioning of a half wave rectifier, specifically focusing on the behavior of current during the reverse bias phase of a diode and the fate of energy during this period. The scope includes technical explanations and conceptual clarifications related to electrical engineering principles.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about where the energy goes during the reverse bias phase of a half wave rectifier when the current is nearly zero.
  • One participant suggests that any small amount of power during reverse bias is dissipated across the diode and output resistor, though they consider this negligible.
  • Another participant emphasizes that energy is only transferred when the diode is forward biased and contrasts this with the efficiency of full-wave rectifiers.
  • A different viewpoint states that the diode simply prevents current from flowing in one direction without redirecting it elsewhere, indicating that no significant energy is dissipated in reverse bias.
  • It is noted that the diode does not dissipate power in reverse bias, as it does not conduct significant current, thus remaining cool under high voltage conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the behavior of energy during reverse bias, with some suggesting negligible dissipation while others argue that energy is not transferred at all during this phase. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of energy behavior in reverse bias conditions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights assumptions about energy transfer mechanisms and the role of the diode, but does not resolve the underlying questions about energy behavior during reverse bias.

waqarrashid33
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Half wave rectifier based on the principle of PN junction diode convert either possitive or negative portion of AC current But i am confused here that when the portion of current on which the diode is reverse biased current is almost zero then where the energy of that portion goes?
 
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Are you referring to the reverse leakage current?

I would assume that any small amount of power is dissipated across the diode and the output resistor, but I'm fairly certainly for all purposes it is negligible.
 
Last edited:
waqarrashid33 said:
Half wave rectifier based on the principle of PN junction diode convert either possitive or negative portion of AC current But i am confused here that when the portion of current on which the diode is reverse biased current is almost zero then where the energy of that portion goes?

The energy is only transferred when the diode is forward biased. That is why a full-wave rectifier is more efficient in energy transfer.
 
you mean the energy of current which i blocked by diode is transfred when the diode is farward biase?
 
No, the transformer supplies voltage to the diode and then a current will only flow if there is a path for it to flow in.

A diode simply stops the current from flowing in one direction and it doesn't have to go anywhere else. It just stops.

When the voltage reverses, and it is possible for the current to flow again, then it does flow.

It isn't like trying to stop a locomotive. The voltage can be stopped by a small diode if it has enough voltage rating to do it.

In fact, because it doesn't conduct any current (other than microscopic currents) in reverse , the diode does not even dissipate any power, so it doesn't get warm while it is stopping a high voltage.
A diode costing just a few cents can stop a voltage of up to 1000 volts.
 

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