Diodes - Bridge Rectifiers

Bridge rectifier diodes are a type of diode that is used to rectify AC voltage. A rectifier diode is a semiconductor device that allows current to flow in only one direction, and a bridge rectifier is a specific configuration of rectifier diodes that is used to convert AC voltage to DC voltage. A bridge rectifier consists of four diodes arranged in a bridge configuration, with the AC voltage applied across the two outer terminals and the DC voltage output taken from the two inner terminals. When the AC voltage is applied, the diodes conduct current in alternating directions, resulting in a pulsating DC voltage at the output. This pulsating DC voltage can then be smoothed and filtered to produce a stable DC voltage. Bridge rectifier diodes are commonly used in applications such as power supplies and motor drives, where it is necessary to convert AC voltage to DC voltage.