What is the use of rectifier?

“Rectifier” in Electronics/Electrical Engineering is a device which converts AC voltage to DC voltage. The motorcycles these days have an alternator which generates AC voltage, in some bikes as the BMW, 3-Phase voltage is generated. The battery needs to be charged by around 12 Volts DC.

A power inverter, or inverter, is an electronic device or circuitry that changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). The input voltage, output voltage and frequency, and overall power handling depend on the design of the specific device or circuitry.

In an electronic circuit a diode acts in the same as a rubber valve in a bicycle tire. The valve allows the pumped air to enter from one side and blocks from the other . Similarly a rectifier diode allows the flow of current only through one direction. Its called the low forward voltage drop of a rectifier diode.

In direct current (DC), the electric charge (current) only flows in one direction. Electric charge in alternating current (AC), on the other hand, changes direction periodically. The voltage in AC circuits also periodically reverses because the current changes direction.

Alternating current (AC) is an electric current which periodically reverses direction, in contrast to direct current (DC) which flows only in one direction. The abbreviations AC and DC are often used to mean simply alternating and direct, as when they modify current or voltage.

Ripple (specifically ripple voltage) in electronics is the residual periodic variation of the DC voltage within a power supply which has been derived from an alternating current (AC) source. This ripple is due to incomplete suppression of the alternating waveform after rectification.

A rectifier is an electrical device composed of one or more diodes that converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). A diode is like a one-way valve that allows an electrical current to flow in only one direction. This process is called rectification.

Zener diodes are widely used as voltage references and as shunt regulators to regulate the voltage across small circuits. When connected in parallel with a variable voltage source so that it is reverse biased, a Zener diode conducts when the voltage reaches the diode’s reverse breakdown voltage.

Full wave rectifier is a type of rectifier which converts alternating current voltage into pulsating direct current voltage during both half cycles of applied input voltage. In this rectifier, full wave rectification can be achieved by using two crystal diodes which conduct current alternatively.

A transformer is a device that is used to either raise or lower voltages and currents in an electrical circuit. In modern electrical distribution systems,transformers are used to boost voltage levels so as to decrease line losses during transmission.

Voltage regulator, any electrical or electronic device that maintains the voltage of a power source within acceptable limits. The voltage regulator is needed to keep voltages within the prescribed range that can be tolerated by the electrical equipment using that voltage.

Diodes can be used as rectifiers, signal limiters, voltage regulators, switches, signal modulators, signal mixers, signal demodulators, and oscillators. The fundamental property of a diode is its tendency to conduct electric current in only one direction.

A bridge rectifier is an arrangement of four or more diodes in a bridge circuit configuration which provides the same output polarity for either input polarity. It is used for converting an alternating current (AC) input into a direct current (DC) output.

REVIEW: Rectification is the conversion of alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). A half-wave rectifier is a circuit that allows only one half-cycle of the AC voltage waveform to be applied to the load, resulting in one non-alternating polarity across it.

An SCR, or Silicon Controlled Rectifier, is a semiconductor, or integrated circuit (IC), that allows the control of current using a small current. Basically, it is a simple direct current (DC) light switch.

Diodes. A diode is a discrete component that allows current to flow in one direction only. It is a polarised component with two leads, called the cathode and the anode. The cathode is normally marked with a silver or coloured band or the symbol ‘-‘.

A rectifier is a circuit that is used for converting AC supply into unidirectional DC supply. This process of converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) is also called as rectification. We can connect the diodes in different configurations for obtaining different types of rectifiers.

Ripple factor (γ) may be defined as the ratio of the root mean square (rms) value of the ripple voltage to the absolute value of the DC component of the output voltage, usually expressed as a percentage. However, ripple voltage is also commonly expressed as the peak-to-peak value.

In practice, the half-wave rectifier is used most often in low-power applications because of their major disadvantages being. The output amplitude is less than the input amplitude, there is no output during the negative half cycle so half the power is wasted and the output is pulsed DC resulting in excessive ripple.

Inverters can also be used with transformers to change a certain DC input voltage into a completely different AC output voltage (either higher or lower) but the output power must always be less than the input power: it follows from the conservation of energy that an inverter and transformer can’t give out more power