1. What is a Full Bridge Rectifier?

A full bridge rectifier is a circuit that converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) using four diodes arranged in a bridge configuration. It provides full-wave rectification of the input AC signal.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the full bridge rectifier equation:

Where:

• \( V_{peak} \) — Peak input voltage (V)
• \( V_{dc} \) — DC output voltage (V)
• \( \pi \) — Mathematical constant (~3.1416)

Explanation: The equation calculates the average DC voltage output from a full-wave rectifier given the peak AC input voltage.

3. Importance of DC Output Calculation

Details: Calculating the DC output voltage is essential for designing power supplies, determining appropriate filter capacitor values, and ensuring proper operation of DC-powered devices.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the peak AC voltage in volts. The value must be positive. The calculator will compute the average DC output voltage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between full bridge and half bridge rectifiers?
A: Full bridge uses four diodes and provides full-wave rectification, while half bridge uses two diodes and provides half-wave rectification with lower efficiency.

Q2: What is the ripple factor for a full bridge rectifier?
A: The ripple factor is approximately 0.48 for a full bridge rectifier without filtering.

Q3: How does load affect the output voltage?
A: With no filtering capacitor, the output is pulsating DC. Adding a capacitor smooths the output but actual voltage depends on load current and capacitor size.

Q4: What are typical applications of full bridge rectifiers?
A: They're used in power supplies, battery chargers, DC motor drives, and any application requiring AC to DC conversion.

Q5: What diode specifications should I consider?
A: Diodes must handle the peak inverse voltage (PIV ≥ V_peak) and average forward current (I_avg ≥ load current).