What is a rectifier
By definition, a rectifier is an electrical device that can convert AC (alternating current) that intermittently reverses direction into DC (direct current), and DC flows in only one direction. A rectifier is a component of a circuit that allows current to pass in one direction while preventing current from flowing in the other direction. In terms of applications, you can find rectifiers used in typical desktop power supplies.
The rectification process itself involves devices that only allow electrons to flow in one direction. As you know, this perfectly describes the function of semiconductors. Moreover, the most basic rectifier circuit is a half-wave rectifier.
However, physically, rectifiers can take many forms, including mercury arc valves, semiconductor diodes, vacuum tube diodes, and even wet chemical batteries, to name a few.
Rectifier application
In terms of application, rectifiers have many uses. However, they are commonly used as components in DC power sources or high-voltage DC transmission systems. There are also multiple applications for the rectification process. For example, it can act as a radio signal detector or a flame presence detector in a gas heating system.
In addition, depending on the type of AC power source and the layout of the rectifier circuit, the output of the rectifier may need to be further smoothed to produce a uniform and stable output (voltage). Most rectifier applications require a stable and constant DC voltage, which is the power supply for PCs, TVs and radios. Therefore, in order to meet these requirements, an electronic filter is integrated in the rectifier design to smooth the output of the rectifier.
Generally, these electronic filters can be capacitors, a set of capacitors, chokes or chokes and resistors, usually followed by a voltage regulator to generate a stable voltag
