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Bridge Rectifier - Construction, Advantages, Disadvantages, FAQs

Bridge Rectifier - Construction, Advantages, Disadvantages, FAQs

Vishal kumarUpdated on 02 Jul 2025, 04:25 PM IST

Among various electronic circuits, the full bridge rectifier is reported to be commonly employed. Full bridge rectifiers are commonly used bridge rectifier to power a variety of electrical components.
The full bridge rectifier's function is to convert AC power into DC electricity. It is the most adaptable rectifier circuit among the others. This device's power conversion is incredibly efficient.
A filter is also utilized inside the circuit to increase the output of the full bridge rectifier. Let's take a look at the full bridge rectifier in general, including how it works, how efficient it is, and so on.

This Story also Contains

  1. Construction of Full Bridge Rectifier-
  2. Define Bridge Wave Rectifier.
  3. Full Bridge Rectifier Waveforms-
  4. Ripple factor of Bridge Rectifier of Full Bridge Rectifier-
  5. Efficiency of Full Bridge Rectifier-
  6. Advantages of Full Bridge Rectifier-
  7. Disadvantages of Full Bridge Rectifier-
Bridge Rectifier - Construction, Advantages, Disadvantages, FAQs
bridge rectifier

bridge Rectifier

NCERT Physics Notes :

Construction of Full Bridge Rectifier-

The diagram below depicts the building of a full bridge rectifier. Four diodes D1, D2, D3, D4, and a load resistor RL make up the full bridge rectifier circuit diagram. To efficiently convert alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC), the four diodes are coupled in a closed-loop configuration (DC). The lack of the costly center-tapped transformer is the principal benefit of this design. As a result, both the size and the cost are lowered.

Bridge rectifier

Define Bridge Wave Rectifier.

During the positive half cycle, if you send electricity (AC) across the full bridge rectifier, terminal–A becomes positive, and terminal–B becomes negative. The diodes D1 and D3 become forward-biased at this moment, whereas D2 and D4 become reverse-biased.

During the negative half-cycle, terminal-A becomes positive and the terminal B becomes negative. The diodes D1 and D3 become reverse-biased at this stage, while D2 and D4 become forward-biased.

During both the positive and negative half-cycles, the current flow across the load resistor RL remains constant. The output DC signal's polarity can be completely different. The output can be fully negative or completely positive.

Also read -

Commonly Asked Questions

Q: What is a bridge rectifier?
A:
A bridge rectifier is an electronic circuit that converts alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). It uses four diodes arranged in a bridge configuration to rectify both positive and negative half-cycles of the AC input, producing a full-wave rectified DC output.
Q: What is the difference between a controlled and an uncontrolled bridge rectifier?
A:
An uncontrolled bridge rectifier uses standard diodes and provides a fixed DC output. A controlled bridge rectifier, also known as a phase-controlled rectifier, replaces some or all of the diodes with thyristors or SCRs, allowing control over the average DC output voltage.
Q: What is the difference between a bridge rectifier and a voltage doubler circuit?
A:
A bridge rectifier converts AC to DC without changing the voltage level significantly, while a voltage doubler circuit, as the name suggests, produces a DC output voltage that is approximately twice the peak value of the AC input voltage.
Q: Can a bridge rectifier be used with three-phase AC power?
A:
Yes, bridge rectifiers can be adapted for three-phase AC power. A three-phase bridge rectifier, also known as a six-pulse rectifier, uses six diodes to convert three-phase AC into DC, resulting in even smoother output than single-phase bridge rectifiers.

Full Bridge Rectifier Waveforms-

When the diodes' direction is reversed, we get a completely negative DC voltage. As a result, both the negative and positive half-cycles of the AC input signal can flow through a diode bridge rectifier.

Full bridge rectifier waveform

Ripple factor of Bridge Rectifier of Full Bridge Rectifier-

The ripple factor of the bridge rectifier is a property of the full bridge rectifier that indicates how smooth the output DC signal is. When it comes to the quantity of ripples, we may claim the output DC signal is smooth. The high ripples represent a high-pulsating DC pulse.

The ripple factor of the bridge rectifier is calculated as the ratio of the ripple voltage to the pure DC voltage

Mathematically,

Root Mean Square Voltage = (Vrms)

VDC = DC Supply-Average Voltage

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Efficiency of Full Bridge Rectifier-

The measuring of the full bridge rectifier's efficiency reveals the rectifier's best performance. The ratio of DC output power to AC input power is the definition of rectifier efficiency.

$\eta$ = (Output Power DC/input Power AC)

The greatest efficiency of a full bridge rectifier is 81.2 percent.

Advantages of Full Bridge Rectifier-

The following are some of the benefits of a full bridge rectifier:

  1. The efficiency of full bridge rectifiers is higher than that of half-wave rectifiers

  2. A full bridge rectifier produces a smoother output than a half-wave rectifier.

  3. For processing, the full bridge rectifier accepts both positive and negative half cycles of the input AC signal. The half-wave rectifier lacks this functionality, processing only half of the AC signal while blocking the other.

Disadvantages of Full Bridge Rectifier-

  1. When compared to a half-wave rectifier and a center-tapped full-wave rectifier, the circuit of a full bridge rectifier is more complicated. Half-wave rectifiers and center-tapped full wave full bridge rectifiers employ only two diodes, while full-bridge rectifiers use four bridge rectifiers four.

  2. When more diodes are utilized, there is a greater loss of power. Only one diode conducts during each half cycle in a center-tapped full-wave rectifier. In a full bridge rectifier, however, each half cycle is conducted by two diodes. As a result, the voltage drop in a full bridge rectifier is larger.

  3. The voltage loss in the internal resistance circuit is twice that of the center tap circuit.

  4. We may be able to do without a transformer if voltage stepping up or down is not required.

Also, check-

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How does the bridge rectifier's performance change at very low input voltages?
A:
At very low input voltages, the forward voltage drop of the diodes becomes more significant relative to the input voltage. This can lead to reduced efficiency and potentially no output if the input voltage falls below the combined forward voltage of two diodes in series.
Q: What is the significance of the surge current rating in bridge rectifier diodes?
A:
The surge current rating indicates the maximum non-repetitive peak current that the diodes can withstand for a short duration. This is particularly important during the initial charging of filter capacitors at power-up, when a large inrush current can occur.
Q: How does the bridge rectifier's behavior change when supplying a capacitive load versus an inductive load?
A:
With a capacitive load, the rectifier tends to draw sharp current pulses to charge the capacitor, which can increase stress on the diodes and worsen power factor. With an inductive load, the current waveform is smoother, but the load's stored energy can cause voltage spikes when the current is interrupted, potentially requiring snubber circuits for protection.
Q: What is the importance of proper fusing in a bridge rectifier circuit?
A:
Proper fusing protects the bridge rectifier and the rest of the circuit from overcurrent conditions, which could occur due to short circuits or excessive load. The fuse should be rated to blow before the maximum current rating of the diodes is exceeded.
Q: How does the bridge rectifier affect the phase relationship between voltage and current in the AC supply?
A:
Bridge rectifiers tend to draw current in short pulses near the peaks of the AC voltage waveform. This non-linear behavior can lead to a phase shift between voltage and current, reducing the power factor and potentially increasing harmonic distortion in the AC supply.
Q: What are the considerations for using bridge rectifiers in high-voltage applications?
A:
In high-voltage applications, the PIV rating of the diodes becomes critical. Multiple diodes may need to be connected in series for each leg of the bridge to withstand the high reverse voltages. Voltage balancing resistors are often used to ensure equal voltage distribution across the series-connected diodes.
Q: How does the presence of harmonics in the AC input affect the performance of a bridge rectifier?
A:
Harmonics in the AC input can lead to increased heating in the rectifier diodes and transformer, potentially reducing efficiency and lifespan. They can also result in a less smooth DC output, requiring more robust filtering.
Q: How does the reverse recovery time of diodes affect the performance of a bridge rectifier in high-frequency applications?
A:
In high-frequency applications, diodes with shorter reverse recovery times are preferred. Longer recovery times can lead to increased switching losses, reduced efficiency, and potential malfunctioning of the rectifier at high frequencies.
Q: What is the significance of the transformer's secondary winding voltage in a bridge rectifier circuit?
A:
The secondary winding voltage determines the peak voltage of the AC input to the bridge rectifier, which in turn affects the DC output voltage and the PIV experienced by the diodes. It must be chosen to provide the desired DC output while ensuring the diodes operate within their ratings.
Q: How can you measure the efficiency of a bridge rectifier?
A:
Efficiency can be measured by comparing the DC output power to the AC input power. This involves measuring the RMS voltage and current on the input side and the average voltage and current on the output side, then calculating the ratio of output power to input power.
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