Bridge Rectifier Calculator
Calculate DC voltage, current, RMS values, and ripple factor for full-wave bridge rectifier circuits
Bridge Rectifier Analysis
Maximum instantaneous value of AC input voltage
Calculation Results
Formulas used:
VDC = (2 × VPEAK) / π
Circuit Analysis
Example Calculations
DC Voltage from 120V AC
Input: Peak voltage = 120V × √2 = 169.7V
Calculation: VDC = (2 × 169.7V) / π
Result: VDC = 108.1V
Efficiency: 81.2%
Current Analysis Example
Circuit: VM = 24V, RL = 100Ω, RF = 0.7Ω
Max Current: IM = 24V / (2×0.7 + 100) = 0.237A
RMS Current: IRMS = 0.237A / √2 = 0.168A
DC Current: IDC = (2 × 0.237A) / π = 0.151A
Ripple Factor: 0.48
Bridge Rectifier Configuration
Positive Half Cycle
Diodes D1 and D4 conduct
Current flows through load from A to B
Negative Half Cycle
Diodes D2 and D3 conduct
Current flows through load from A to B
Key Parameters
Advantages
No center-tapped transformer required
Higher efficiency (81.2%)
Lower ripple factor (0.48)
Better transformer utilization
Disadvantages
Requires four diodes
Two diode drops in conduction path
Understanding Bridge Rectifier Circuits
What is a Bridge Rectifier?
A bridge rectifier is a full-wave rectifier circuit that uses four diodes arranged in a bridge configuration to convert AC voltage to DC voltage. It doesn't require a center-tapped transformer, making it more efficient and cost-effective than other rectifier configurations.
How It Works
- •During positive half-cycle: Diodes D1 and D4 conduct
- •During negative half-cycle: Diodes D2 and D3 conduct
- •Current always flows in same direction through load
- •Both half-cycles are utilized for rectification
Key Formulas
DC Output Voltage
VDC = (2 × VPEAK) / π
Where VPEAK is the peak input voltage
Maximum Current
IM = VM / (2RF + RL)
Considering diode forward resistance and load resistance
Ripple Factor
γ = √[(IRMS/IDC)² - 1] = 0.48
Theoretical value for bridge rectifier without filter
Applications of Bridge Rectifiers
Power Supplies
Converting AC mains voltage to DC for electronic circuits and devices
Battery Chargers
Providing DC voltage for charging rechargeable batteries
Welding Equipment
Supplying polarized DC voltage for welding applications
DC Motor Drives
Converting AC power to DC for motor control systems
LED Drivers
Providing DC power for LED lighting systems
Signal Detection
Detecting amplitude of modulated radio frequency signals