

Single-phase bridge rectifier
It is the most frequently-used circuit for electronic dc power supplies. It requires four diodes but the transformer used is not center-tapped and has a maximum voltage of VSM. The full-wave bridge-rectifier is available in three distinct physics forms.
- Four discrete diodes,
- One device inside a four-terminal case,
- As part of an array of diodes in an IC
Working of the circuit
During the positive input half-wave, terminal M of the secondary is positive and N is negative as shown in figure 2.
Diode D1 and D3 become forward-biased (ON) whereas D2 and D4 are reversed-biased (OFF). Hence, current flows along MEABCFN producing a drop across RL.
During the negative input half-cycle, secondary terminal N becomes positive and M negative. Now, D2 and D4 are forward-biased. Circuit current flows along NFABCEM as shown in figure 3.
Hence, we find that current keeps flowing through load resistance RL in the same direction AB during both half-cycles of the ac input supply. Consequently, point A of the bridge rectifier always acts as an anode and point C as cathode. The output voltage across RL is as shown in figure. Its frequency is twice that of the supply frequency.
Related Topic
- Average and RMS Value of bridge rectifier
- Efficiency of bridge rectifier
- Ripple Factor of bridge rectifier
- Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV) of bridge rectifier
- Peak Current of bridge rectifier
- Transformer Utilization Factor of bridge rectifier
- Advantage of bridge rectifier
- Disadvantage of bridge rectifier