AC to DC Converter Calculator

Calculate AC to DC rectifier circuits including half-wave, center-tap, and bridge rectifiers. Design filter capacitors and analyze ripple voltage, efficiency, and component ratings.

Rectifier Circuit Types

Half-Wave Rectifier

    AC โ”€โ”€โ”ฌโ”€โ”€โ”€ D1 โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ฌโ”€โ”€โ”€ +DC
         โ”‚    โ†—    โ”‚
         โ”‚         C
         โ”‚         โ”‚
         โ””โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ดโ”€โ”€โ”€ -DC
         
    Efficiency: ~40%
    Ripple: High
    PIV: Vpeak

Center-Tap Rectifier

         โ”Œโ”€โ”€โ”€ D1 โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ฌโ”€โ”€โ”€ +DC
    AC โ”€โ”€โ”ค    โ†—     โ”‚
         โ”‚ CT       C
         โ”‚          โ”‚
         โ”œโ”€โ”€โ”€ D2 โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ดโ”€โ”€โ”€ -DC
         โ””    โ†—
         
    Efficiency: ~81%
    Ripple: Medium
    PIV: 2ร—Vpeak

Bridge Rectifier

         D1   D2
    AC โ”€โ”€โ”คโ”œโ”€โ”ฌโ”€โ”คโ”œโ”€โ”€ +DC
         โ”‚   โ”‚   โ”‚
         โ”‚   C   โ”‚
         โ”‚   โ”‚   โ”‚
    AC โ”€โ”€โ”คโ”œโ”€โ”ดโ”€โ”คโ”œโ”€โ”€ -DC
         D4   D3
         
    Efficiency: ~81%
    Ripple: Medium
    PIV: Vpeak

Rectifier Type

Input Parameters

V
mA
Hz
%

About AC to DC Converters

AC to DC converters (rectifiers) convert alternating current to direct current using diodes and filter circuits. They are essential in power supplies for electronic devices.

Rectifier Types:

  • Half-Wave: Simple, low efficiency, high ripple
  • Center-Tap: Better efficiency, requires center-tap transformer
  • Bridge: Best efficiency, no center-tap needed, most common

Applications:

  • DC power supplies for electronics
  • Battery chargers
  • DC motor drives
  • LED drivers

Design Considerations:

  • Choose rectifier type based on efficiency requirements
  • Select appropriate filter capacitor for desired ripple
  • Consider diode voltage and current ratings
  • Account for transformer VA rating and regulation