Rectifiers & Types of Rectifier:
what is a rectifier?
A rectifier is an electrical device that converts an alternating current AC into direct current DC by using one or more PN Junctions diodes.
Application of Rectifier:
One of the most important applications of a PN Junction diode is the rectification of alternating current AC into direct current DC. A PN Junction diode allows electric current in one leaf forward biased condition and blocks electric current in reverse bias condition.
In simple words, a diode allows electric current in one direction this unique property of the diode allows it to act as a rectifier.
In our houses, almost all the electronic appliances use AC current. However, some electronic appliances such as laptops or notebook computers convert this AC current into DC current before they consume the power.
Types of Rectifiers:
The rectifiers are Bailey classified into two types.
1) Half wave rectifier
2) Full wave rectifier
2) Full wave rectifier
Half wave rectifier:
As the name suggests the halfway rectifier is a type of rectifier that converts half of the AC input signal (positive half cycle) into pulsating DC output signal and the remaining half signal (negative half cycle) is blocked or lost in the half-wave rectifier circuit we use only a single diode.
For example, if the positive half cycle is allowed then the negative half cycle is blocked. Similarly, if the negative half cycle is allowed then the positive half cycle is blocked. However, a half-wave rectifier will not allow both positive and negative half-cycles at the same time.
Therefore the half-cycle either positive or negative of the input signal is wasted. The half-wave rectifier is the simplest form of the rectifier we use only a single diode to constrict the half-wave rectifier. The half-wave rectifier is made up of an AC source, transformer (step-down) diode, and resistor (load). The diode is placed between the transformer and the resistor(load).
Full-wave rectifier:
The full-wave rectifier is a type of rectifier that converts the full AC input signal (positive half cycle and negative half cycle) to pulsating DC output signal.
Unlike the half-wave rectifier, the input signal is not wasted in the full-wave rectifier the efficiency of the full-wave rectifier is high as compared to the half-wave rectifier.
A full-wave rectifier is a type of rectifier that converts both half cycles of the AC signal into pulsating DC signal. The full-wave rectifier converts both positive and negative half cycles of the input AC signal into output pulsating DC signal.
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