Bridge Rectifier

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

Easy

During each half cycle, two diagonally opposite diodes conduct. The peak output is:

$V_{out,peak} = V_m - 2V_F \approx V_m - 1.4\ \text{V}$

Example: a 12 V RMS transformer gives $V_m = 12\sqrt{2} \approx 17$ V, so about 15.6 V peak after the bridge. Bridges come as single packages (e.g. DB107, KBPC series) with two AC (~) pins and + / − pins.

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