Dictionary of Electronics Terms
"A" "B" "C", "D", "E", "F", "G", "H", "I", "J", "K", "L", "M",
"N", "O", "P", "Q", "R", "S", "T", "U", "V", "W", "X", "Y", "Z"

Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier. A circuit that uses both positive and negative alternations in an alternating current to produce direct current by using a 4-diode bridge. There are two types of Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier circuits; one that only produces a single voltage output and bridge circuit that produces a positive and negative voltage, but requires a center tapped transformer.

The diode bridge may be formed using individual discrete diodes or by a single diode package or module containing all four diodes. There are also diode pair packages that contain either common Anode or common Cathode diode pairs that could be combined to form a diode bridge [contained in 3-terminal packages].

Single Supply Bridge

This particular circuit is used to supply a single polarity voltage to some other circuit.

Full Wave Bridge Rectifier Circuit Diagram
4-Diode Full Wave Bridge Rectifier Circuit




Split Supply Bridge

Adding a center tap transformer allows the power supply to output both a positive and negative voltage.

Full Wave Bridge Rectifier Split Supply Circuit Diagram
4-Diode Full Wave Bridge Rectifier Circuit, Split Supply

Of course adding a transformer with a center-tap increases the cost of the transformer. However a center tap transformer circuits offers a simply way to generate a bipolar output for Operational Amplifiers or other analog circuits that may require both a positive and negative voltage supply.

Also refer to Half-wave Rectifier Circuit [1 or 2 diode circuit].

Full-wave Bridge Rectifier Part Numbers [Companion site]

 
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