Rectifiers are used as components of power supplies and as detectors of radio signals.
rectifier, An electrical circuit used to convert AC into DC current. A rectifier is a diode that causes the current to flow in only one direction. The output of the rectifier is essentially half-AC current, which is then filtered into DC. Contrast with inverter. See diode. Bridge Rectifier. A bridge rectifier makes use of four diodes in a bridge arrangement to achieve full-wave rectification. This is a widely used configuration, both with individual diodes wired as shown and with single component bridges where the diode bridge is wired internally. This is called rectification, and rectifier diodes are most commonly used in low current power supplies. A switching diode is most often used to turn a circuit on or off, and band switching diodes are used for switching high frequency band signals. The simplest possible circuit for converting AC into DC is a half-wave rectifier. This circuit consists of a single diode that only allows current to flow in one direction. A possible circuit is shown below in figure 4. In this figure, you'll find the AC power source connected to the primary side of a transformer. A rectifier is a electrical device that converts alternating current to direct current, a process known as rectification. Rectifiers are used as components of power supplies and as detectors of radio signals. Rectifiers may be made of solid state diodes, vacuum tube diodes, mercury arc valves, and other technologies.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Rectification+(electricity) http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electronic/rectbr.html http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-diode.htm http://www3.nd.edu/~lemmon/courses/ee224/web-manual/web-manual/lab8b/node6.html http://electronics.wikia.com/wiki/Rectifier
what is a rectifier used for