A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current into direct current. The direct current flows in one direction, and the inverter performs the reverse operation. The straightening of the current direction is known as rectification. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
TDK-Lambda Americas Inc.
National City, CA | 800-275-5224TDK-Lambda Americas designs and manufactures a wide range of AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies and EMI Filters for Medical, Telecom, Industrial, Datacom, and Test & Measurement applications worldwide. The company has been a major provider of power solutions since 1948. TDK-Lambda is a subsidiary of the TDK Corporation, a leading global electronics company.
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Easton, PA | 800-523-9478For 4 decades, Acopian Technical Company has specialized in long lasting power supplies (0 volts – 30000 V). We offer AC power supplies, DC power supplies, AC to DC converters, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), AC to DC power supplies & high voltage power supplies. With quality customer service & technical support, we have thousands of power supplies for thousands of applications.
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Hicksville, NY | 516-935-2230APS are specialists in power conversion and the manufacture of high performance power systems. Products include power converters and inverters; motor drives and brakes; battery chargers; AC and DC power supplies; driver circuits and more. Custom and standard power systems are available.
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Livermore, CA | 800-669-8090At Quail Electronics, we are your power cord specialists. Our power supplies consist of green dot cords, high voltage cords, North American and international cords, specialty cords, plus adapters, plugs and strips.
What is a Rectifier?
A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current into direct current. The direct current flows in one direction, and the inverter performs the reverse operation. The straightening of the current direction is known as rectification.
The physical appearance of rectifiers has numerous forms such as wet chemical cells, selenium oxide plates, mercury arc valves, stacks of copper, semiconductor diodes, vacuum tube diodes, and silicon controlled rectifiers.
Rectifiers consist of many different uses, but they are mostly used as direct current transmission system components. They are also used as power transmission systems for direct currents with very high voltages.
Other than its use as a direct current generator, rectification can also be used as a source of power. Rectifiers are also used to detect flames when dealing with gas heating systems.
How Rectifiers Function
Half wave rectifiers, which are the simplest type, function by eliminating one part or half of the alternating current.This will allow only a single direction of current to pass through.
These half wave rectifiers, however, produce very inefficient output of direct current. This is because almost half of the alternating current is not being used in the rectification process.
The process of full wave rectification is more efficient as compared to the former, and it produces a very high output. This is because all of the input alternating current waveform is being used.
Types of Rectifiers
Rectifiers are grouped into many designs depending on a number of factors, such as components used, nature of control, and bridge configuration. The majority of them, however, are classified as single phase and three phase rectifiers.
Additionally, the rectifiers are divided under controlled and uncontrolled. Uncontrolled rectifiers are those whose output voltage cannot be controlled.
Half Wave Rectifier
When using a half wave rectifier after the alternating current is applied to the input, the negative half circle is blocked while the positive half circle is the one which is visible across the load.
The requirements needed here are a single diode in a single phase supply and three diodes in a three phase supply. The circuits of the half wave rectifier need continuous filtration to reduce harmonics of the alternating current.
Full Wave Rectifier
On a full wave rectifier, the current in the load flows in one direction when the alternating current is applied to the input. The resulting output voltage produced by this circuit is high as compared to the former.
This is achieved by making use of both the polarities of the input current to yield the direct current. The requirements for this rectifier are two diodes. A full wave rectifier can further be classified into the two below:
Bridge Rectifier
A bridge rectifier consists of four diodes which are used to change all of the alternating current into the output direct current. The output consists of fewer ripples than that of a half wave rectifier, but it is not stable or level.
Tapped Full Wave Rectifier
This rectifier makes use of a transformer that consists of a secondary winding at the tapped center point. It also uses two diodes that are connected to the circuit.
Each of the diodes uses half of the input current, and this circuit is highly efficient because the alternating current supplies power to both valves.
Applications and Uses of Rectifiers
Rectifiers are used to detect radio signals, which are amplitude modulated. They are also suppliers of voltage, which is polarized for welding activities.
A rectifier serves three main purposes, which are:
- Converting alternating current to direct current
- Changing the voltage by using a transformer
- Converting DC back to AC current
Rectifiers are of great significance in the technological and digital world, and they are used widely inside all electronic devices and power supplies.
