How To Select Bridge Rectifiers

Focus:

Choosing to use a bridge rectifier in a design vs. discrete rectifiers is often a tradeoff in terms of space, size, cost or other concerns. This article assumes that the decision has been made to use a bridge rectifier. It then discusses the electrical and mechanical specifications that need to be considered and the options available when selecting a bridge rectifier. Selection criteria include packaging options, inrush current ratings, quality and reliability, voltage drop, recovery options (standard diodes versus fast recovery, high efficiency, superfast recovery and Schottky diodes) and withstand voltage. The authors offer advice on how to navigate the specifications, quality and cost considerations. They also explain why some common assumptions about cost versus device rating are wrong, and how to take advantage of the reality to improve reliability in your designs.

What you’ll learn:

• How to select bridge rectifiers for power supply applications
• How to understand what electrical ratings, diode types and packaging options are available for bridge rectifiers
• How to improve bridge rectifier reliability through device selection

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Author & Publication:

Jos van Loo, Taiwan Semiconductor Europe, Zorneding, Germany and Kevin Parmenter, Taiwan Semiconductor America, Chandler, Ariz., How2Power Today, Oct 15 2019

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