Rectifier

A rectifier is an electrical device or circuit that converts alternating current into unidirectional current. Its output may still vary in magnitude and require filtering or regulation to become smooth direct current.

Half-wave rectifier: A rectifier that passes one polarity of an alternating waveform and blocks the other. Its single conducting path produces the simplest, most strongly pulsating rectified output.
Diode: A two-terminal electronic component that conducts current much more readily in one direction than the other. Diodes provide the one-way conduction used in most basic rectifier circuits.
Linear power supply: A power supply that rectifies an AC input and uses linear regulation to produce a stable DC output. Its transformer, rectifier, and filter make the classic mains-to-DC application.
Inverter: An electronic converter that changes direct current into alternating current. It performs the opposite direction of conversion from a rectifier.
Full-wave rectifier: A rectifier circuit that converts both half-cycles of an alternating waveform into the same output polarity. Using both half-cycles raises the output pulse frequency and improves power use.
P–N junction: The boundary between p-type and n-type semiconductor regions, where a built-in electric field forms. Its directional current behavior under forward and reverse bias underlies the semiconductor diode.
Switched-mode power supply: A power supply that regulates energy by rapidly switching electronic devices and transferring it through reactive components. Its input stage commonly rectifies mains voltage before high-frequency switching.
AC-to-AC converter: A power-electronic circuit that changes an alternating-current supply into alternating current with altered voltage, frequency, or waveform. Unlike a rectifier, it produces AC rather than a unidirectional output.
Bridge rectifier: A full-wave rectifier made from four diodes arranged in a bridge. Its diode arrangement rectifies both half-cycles without requiring a center-tapped transformer winding.
Forward bias: A voltage polarity across a semiconductor junction that permits substantial current flow. A rectifier diode conducts during the waveform interval that forward-biases it.

Linked from 15 pages