Hello friends welcome to the new post. IN this post we will have a detailed look at the Difference between Centre-Tapped Rectifier and Bridge Rectifiers. Rectifiers are electrical devices that change direct current (DC) from alternating current (AC) by limiting the flow of current. Bridge rectifiers and center-tapped rectifiers are two kinds of rectifiers that operate and are configured differently. In this tutorial, we will cover between center-tapped and bridge rectifiers, with their benefits and drawbacks. So let’s get started Difference between Centre-Tapped Rectifier and Bridge Rectifier.
Centre-Tapped Rectifiers
Principle of Operation
- A center-tapped rectifier is a particular kind of rectifier that gets its input from a center-tapped transformer. The transformer features a main winding and a center-tapped secondary winding.
- The secondary winding of the transformer experiences an induced AC voltage when an AC voltage is supplied to the transformer’s primary winding.
- The secondary winding’s two ends are linked to the diodes, while the center tap is connected to the ground. The voltage differential between two terminals of secondary winding finds the output voltage of the diode that allows current in one direction. Read also:CR2016 vs CR2032 Batteries: 6 key Differences
Circuit Diagram
Advantages
- Can handle high currents
- Simple circuit design
- Low cost
- Suitable for low power applications
Disadvantages
- Large size due to the use of a transformer
- Low efficiency
- Output voltage is half the input voltage
Applications
- Electroplating
- Battery charging
- Welding
- Electrolysis
Bridge Rectifiers
Principle of Operation
Four diodes are stacked in a bridge arrangement to make up a bridge rectifier, a kind of rectifier. When the bridge receives the applied AC voltage, the diodes only allow current to flow in one direction, producing a pulsating DC output voltage. DC voltage is tamed using a filter capacitor. If you are engineering Guy then this guide is very helpful for you thermistor vs thermocouple: How Are These Words Connected?
Circuit Diagram
Advantages
- High efficiency
- Simple design
- The output voltage equal to input volts
- Small size
Disadvantages
- Slightly more expensive than centre-tapped rectifiers
- Can handle low to medium currents
Applications
- Audio amplifiers
- Power supplies
- LED lighting
Comparison between Centre-Tapped and Bridge Rectifiers
Efficiency
Because they do not lose half of the input voltage, bridge rectifiers are more effective than center-tapped rectifiers. Center-tapped rectifiers convert fifty percent of input voltage to dc while bridge rectifier do eighty percent of rectification
Output Voltage
The center-tapped rectifier has an output voltage equal to the input voltage, and the output voltage of a bridge rectifier is the same to the input voltage.
Cost
Center-tapped rectifiers are less costly than bridge rectifiers because they employ fewer components. Despite this, bridge rectifiers are still inexpensive.
Size
Due to the need for a transformer, center-tapped rectifiers are bigger than bridge rectifiers. Bridge rectifiers are more manageable and simple to include in tiny electrical circuits.
Complexity
Center-tapped rectifiers are simpler than bridge rectifiers. Bridge rectifiers become more complicated when other components are included, such as four diodes and a filter capacitor.
Conclusion
Rectifiers that convert AC to DC include bridge rectifiers and center-tapped rectifiers. Bridge rectifiers are appropriate for greater-power applications, whilst center-tapped rectifiers are excellent for low-power applications. In comparison to center-tapped rectifiers, bridge rectifiers are more effective, more compact, and have a greater output voltage. Center-tapped rectifiers, on the other hand, are less expensive and have a simpler design than bridge rectifiers. The unique needs of the electrical circuit determine which of the two types of rectifiers should be used.
FAQs
- Is a center-tapped rectifier for high power applications?
- Center-tapped rectifiers may not be able to withstand high currents and are best suited for low-power applications. A bridge rectifier could be better appropriate for high-power applications.
- Why output voltage of a centre-tapped rectifier half the input voltage?
- Because only half of the transformer’s secondary winding is used, the output voltage of a center-tapped rectifier is equal to its input voltage.
- Which one is more efficient, a centre-tapped rectifier or a bridge rectifier?
- Because they do not lose half of the input voltage, bridge rectifiers are more effective than center-tapped rectifiers.
- Is bridge rectifier for low-power applications?
- Bridge rectifiers may be utilized for both high-power and low-power applications, yes.
- Is possible to modify a centre-tapped rectifier circuit to increase its output voltage?
Yes, a voltage multiplier circuit or a transformer with a higher turn ratio can be added to a center-tapped rectifier circuit to increase its output voltage.
