Hi TechNet -
     
     Thanks for the info Doug - your explanation was just what I needed. 
     (rocket science answers are not always the best answers - ignore the 
     flames!!)
     
     
     Happy Holidays!
     
     
     Dave Hillman
     Rockwell Collins
     [log in to unmask]
     


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: GEN: Rectifiers
Author:  [log in to unmask] at ccmgw1
Date:    12/20/96 10:54 AM


Dave, 
     
A rectifier is a device used in a circuit to get as 
close to a DC voltage output (battery) as possible.  
     
It takes as an input an alternating voltage wave 
(excuse the drawing) as from your wall outlet...
     
Input
     
Peak positive voltage
+Pv
    _____
   /     \
  /       \
 /         \
------------------------- 
             \         /
              \       /
               \_____/
-Pv
Peak negative voltage
     
and converts this waveform to an output 
of positive cycles or negative cycles, such as 
     
Output
     
Peak positive voltage
+Pv
    _____       _____
   /     \     /     \
  /       \   /       \
 /         \ /         \
------------------------- 
     
or 
     
Peak negative voltage
-Pv
     
------------------------- 
 \         / \         /
  \       /   \       /
   \_____/     \_____/
     
After the output of the rectifier, some 
circuitry is used to smooth these big 
bumps out into smaller (ideally none) 
bumps.
     
Into something like the following for 
positive rectification...
     
Peak positive voltage
+Pv
    _____     _____     ______      __Pv max
   /      - _/      - _/       - _  __Pv min
  /                      
 /                     
-----------------------------------
     
The "ripple" is basically the voltage min and max 
of the new waveform, Pv min and Pv max respectfully. 
     
It is dependent upon the components used 
for waveform smoothing. 
     
If the ripple is too large, this could have 
an effect very different than if a pure dc battery 
was used, i.e. no ripple. 
     
This has been an extremely brief explanation and 
I expect to get royally flamed.  But, I tried 
not to get too technical. 
     
     
ddhillma wrote:
> 
>      Hi TechNet -
> 
>      This sounds dumb but what is a rectifier (what's its function in an 
>      electrical circuit?). They did teach us that in metallurgy class!
> 
>      Dave Hillman
>      Rockwell Collins
>      [log in to unmask]
> 
> 
> ______________________________ Reply Separator 
_________________________________
> Subject: GEN: Rectifiers
> Author:  [log in to unmask] at ccmgw1 
> Date:    12/20/96 8:17 AM
> 
> Is it true that rectifiers generate a constant minimum AC voltage (rms) 
> that causes variable ripple depending on actual or overall voltage?  In 
> explanation, is ripple defined by the minimum AC voltage over the rated 
> output voltage only?
> 
> Could the group enlighten me on the subject of minimizing ripple and how 
> it affects plating?  There's been much discussion about copper plating, 
> and I would appreciate some information on this topic.
> 
> Chemist, IUP, CU
> 
> P.G. Wilson
> [log in to unmask]
> 
     
******************************************************* 
------------------------------------------------------- 
The comments and opinions stated herein are mine alone, 
and do not reflect those of my employer. 
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