Debates between supporters of direct and alternating current have long passed into the past. At the dawn of electrification, energy transportation issues were discussed quite seriously. I wonder what modern electronic circuits would look like if there was a constant voltage in the outlet? But AC proponents won, and different circuits now have to be used to convert it. Many of them have already become classic and are widely used in the design of various devices.
One of the pillars in electrics and electronics is a DC rectifier. The benefits of its use can hardly be overestimated, a constant voltage is necessary to power almost all devices. Such food is necessary for the normal operation of household appliances. It is widely used in production.
The classical diode connection scheme, proposed at the time by Hertz, has long been unclaimed. A logical explanation can be found for this, using four diodes to rectify an alternating voltage was at least impractical. At that time, the properties of semiconductors were little studied, and electron tubes were very expensive. The DC rectifier looked different and its characteristics were far from ideal.
The situation has changed dramatically with the advent of
semiconductor devices. Various rectifier circuits have appeared, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. But the rectifier based on the Hertz circuit is still the most reliable source. The disadvantages of such a device include its dimensions and low efficiency. It is believed that such sources are collected according to the so-called linear scheme.
A completely different picture is observed in rectifier devices assembled according to a nonlinear scheme. The most successful, as shown, turned out to be switching power supplies. They are devoid of all the shortcomings inherent in linear rectifier devices, but have a high level of output noise and lower reliability. Such a DC rectifier often breaks down, since their production is associated with a large number of elements used.
Powerful
semiconductor diodes assembled in a
diode bridge can be used to assemble a DC welding rectifier. Such a device is easy to make with your own hands. Diodes from 250 Amps and above are mounted on heat sink radiators. They are mounted on a rigid textolite base. The cathodes of the devices are connected together, this will be a plus. Anodes are also connected using
copper plates together, this will be a minus device. It turned out two pairs of diodes. The ends of each pair are also connected together with copper busbars, designed for the flow of a large welding current. They are supplied with alternating voltage from a
welding transformer. You have assembled a device that can deliver a large direct current to the load. The rectifier for the welding machine used in the circuit is reliable enough to provide a long operating time for the entire device.