Rectifiers

Half-wave, full-wave and bridge circuits convert AC into pulsating DC.

Easy

Type	Diodes	Output frequency	$V_{dc}$ (no filter)	PIV per diode
Half-wave	1	$f$	$V_m/\pi$	$V_m$
Centre-tap full-wave	2	$2f$	$2V_m/\pi$	$2V_m$
Bridge	4	$2f$	$2V_m/\pi$	$V_m$

The bridge is the most common: no centre tap needed, but two diode drops (~1.4 V) are lost. Ripple factor: 1.21 for half-wave, 0.48 for full-wave.

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Bridge Rectifier

Four diodes arranged so both halves of the AC cycle reach the load in the same direction.

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Sub-topics (1)

Bridge Rectifier

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