All types of Rectifier Examples and Applications

The rectifier is an electrical or electronic circuit that converts Alternating Current(AC) into Direct Current. The main characteristics of  Alternating Current or AC are the magnitude and direction or polarity change with time. On the other hand, the main characteristics of Direct Current or DC are, magnitude and polarity always be constant, it does not change with time. So the main function of a rectifier circuit is to take changing magnitude and polarity power supply as input and give the constant magnitude and polarity power supply as output.

There are mainly three types of rectifier circuits - 

1. Half Wave Rectifier Circuit
2. Full Wave Center Tapped Rectifier Circuit
3. Full Wave Bridge Rectifier Circuit

In this article, we are going to know all types of rectifier examples.

Half Wave Rectifier Examples

Half-wave rectifier circuits are very simple in design and very cheaper. Some examples of half-wave rectifiers are rectifier circuits used in soldering iron, electronic chopper circuits, mosquito-repelled circuit, and pulse generation circuit.

The half-wave rectifier circuit is generally made by connecting a single PN Junction Diode in series with the Alternating Power supply. Half wave rectifier circuit allows only half waveform either positive or negative from input to output. So the overall magnitude of the output voltage will be reduced to half of the main power supply.

Some common applications of Half Wave Rectifiers are simple low-cost battery charging circuits, Light Dimmers circuits, Signal Detection, Voltage Level Shifting, etc

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Examples of Full Wave Rectifier Circuit - Center Tapped

Some examples of full-wave rectifier circuits (center tapped) are rectifier circuits used in old transistor radios, old battery charger circuits, and black and white televisions.

The Center tapped full-wave rectifier circuit is made up of a center-tapped transformer and two PN Junction Diodes. Generally, they are more expensive than half-wave rectifier circuits. This rectifier circuit allows both positive and negative half-waves. So the output voltage does not decrease. The biggest disadvantage of this rectifier circuit is it requires a center-tapped transformer that increases the cost.

Some common applications of Center tapped Full Wave Rectifiers are Bipolar or dual Power Supplies, Welding Equipment, Motor Control Circuits, Audio Amplifiers, etc.

Examples of Full Wave Bridge Rectifier Circuit

The applications of bridge rectifier circuits are everywhere. Most of the modern electrical and electronic power supply circuits use bridge rectifier circuits. Some examples of full-wave bridge rectifier circuits are rectifier circuits used in mobile chargers, SMPS, LED TVs, Battery Chargers, etc.

Full Wave Bridge Rectifier very efficient than others, also it does not require any center-tapped transformer. The bridge rectifier is made of four PN junction Diodes. It also allows both positive and negative half-waves in output. So the magnitude of the output voltage does not decrease.

Some common applications of Full Wave Bridge Rectifiers are Domestic home appliances such as televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners, LED Lighting systems, High current Battery Chargers, etc.

Read Also: 

• Real Ground and Virtual Ground Difference, Use, Example
• Why PIV rating is very IMPORTANT when purchasing a Diode?
• What is Forward Bias and Reverse Bias? Example, Applications
• Electrical Power Supply Types and their Uses, Applications

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