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What is a power rectifier ? What are the two main families of rectifiers ?

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Question added by LABIB KOOLI , Quality Assurance Manager & Training Consultant , Tunisian Vocational Training Agency (ATFP)
Date Posted: 2015/01/24
Wolf Klaas Kinsbergen
by Wolf Klaas Kinsbergen , Managing Director, Designer , ingenieursbureau KB International NV

 

Dear Sir, Thank you for the invitation. It isn't my specialty so I have to search for the answers, but that's is great!

A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction. The process is known as rectification. Physically, rectifiers take a number of forms, including vacuum tube diodes, mercury-arc valves, copper and selenium oxide rectifiers, semiconductor diodes, silicon-controlled rectifiers and other silicon-based semiconductor switches.

 

the two main families are single Phase and Three Phase rectifiers.

 

It changes the power from (AC) to (DC)

Elke Woofter
by Elke Woofter , Project Assistant , American Technical Associates

rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction. The process is known as rectification. Physically, rectifiers take a number of forms, includingvacuum tube diodesmercury-arc valves, copper and selenium oxide rectifiers, semiconductor diodessilicon-controlled rectifiers and other silicon-based semiconductor switches. Historically, even synchronous electromechanical switches and motors have been used. Early radio receivers, called crystal radios, used a "cat's whisker" of fine wire pressing on a crystal of galena (lead sulfide) to serve as a point-contact rectifier or "crystal detector".

Rectifiers have many uses, but are often found serving as components of DC power supplies and high-voltage direct current power transmission systems. Rectification may serve in roles other than to generate direct current for use as a source of power. As noted,detectors of radio signals serve as rectifiers. In gas heating systems flame rectification is used to detect presence of a flame.

Because of the alternating nature of the input AC sine wave, the process of rectification alone produces a DC current that, though unidirectional, consists of pulses of current. Many applications of rectifiers, such as power supplies for radio, television and computer equipment, require a steady constant DC current (as would be produced by a battery). In these applications the output of the rectifier is smoothed by an electronic filter (usually a capacitor) to produce a steady current.

A more complex circuitry device that performs the opposite function, converting DC to AC, is called an inverter.

Deleted user
by Deleted user

Rectification is a process of converting AC to DC, and rectifier is a device that performs this function.

there are two types of rectifier;

Full wave rectifier

Half wave rectifier

In order to have clean DC, it must be supported by filters (capacitors).

Paul Bryson
by Paul Bryson , UPS Service Engineer , Emerson Network Power

In simple terms ....A rectifier converts AC to DC, achievable by employing semi conductor packs, such as a SCR/thyristor etc. Types are half wave (1 diode), full wave (2 diodes) and also bridge (4 diodes).

Deleted user
by Deleted user

Thank you for your kind invitation but  it is not my specialty

 

Muhammad samran
by Muhammad samran , Junior Officer/Project Coordinator , Pakistan Stell Mill

convert the ac to dc

 

full wave rectifier,

half wave rectifier.

Alex Al Yazouri
by Alex Al Yazouri , General Manager , Al Mushref Cooperative Society

An electrical device to converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).

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