Diodes and Rectifiers

Diodes are semiconductor devices that allow current to flow in one direction only. Rectifiers are circuits that convert AC to DC using diodes.

Diode Characteristics

Diodes have two terminals: the anode and the cathode. Current flows from the anode to the cathode when the diode is forward-biased.

Rectifier Types

  • Half-Wave Rectifier: Uses a single diode to convert AC to DC.
  • Full-Wave Rectifier: Uses multiple diodes to convert AC to DC more efficiently.

Example Calculation

Consider a half-wave rectifier with an input AC voltage of 12V RMS:


V_DC = V_RMS * 0.45
V_DC = 12V * 0.45
V_DC = 5.4V

Applications of Diodes and Rectifiers

Diodes and rectifiers are used in:

  • Power supplies
  • Signal demodulation
  • Voltage regulation

Practice Problems

  1. Calculate the DC output voltage of a full-wave rectifier with an input AC voltage of 24V RMS.
  2. Determine the forward voltage drop of a diode with a current of 2A and a resistance of 0.5Ω.

 

 

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