Operating principle and importance in electrical engineering
A diode bridge is a rectifier circuit consisting of four diodes designed to convert alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). It is widely used in power supplies, battery chargers, and industrial electronic systems.
During the positive half-cycle, current flows through two diodes (for example D1 and D3), allowing current to pass through the load in one direction. During the negative half-cycle, the other two diodes (D2 and D4) become active, while the current through the load continues flowing in the same direction.
The output of the diode bridge is a pulsating DC voltage, which can later be smoothed using filters such as capacitors.
| Maximum Reverse Voltage | VRRM |
| Forward Current | IF |
| Voltage Drop | ~0.7 V per diode |
| Temperature | Tj max |