Bridge Rectifier

Find out more about bridge rectifiers.

For most alternative energy applications, we require a direct current (DC) voltage to be
generated - for example to charge a bank of batteries. However wind turbines and wave
power generators create an alternating current (AC) voltage. This is where the Bridge
Rectifier comes in. The AC voltage generated is passed through a circuit of four diodes
arranged as shown below and emerged converted into a more useful DC output.

Diodes allow electricity to flow in only one direction, but there is a small voltage lost across
the a diode of 0.7V called the forward voltage drop. If the diode is wired in the wrong
direction then no current (actually a very tiny current) flows across the diode. However, if
the voltage is too high and goes over the diode's maximum reverse voltage, the diode
will breakdown and fail.

If you would like to make your own bridge rectifier then the 1N4001 diode is perfect for
most low voltage circuits where the current is less than 1A. The 1N5401 diode is used
where the maximum current is 3A. They are extremely cheap at just a couple of pounds for
a hundred on eBay. Click here for instructions on making your own bridge rectifier from
diodes.

Make A Bridge Rectifier From Diodes

Make your own single or multi phase bridge rectifier from diodes

The electricity generated by most wind turbine generators is alternating current (AC). To
use this to charge batteries or power most lighting and devices directly, it must be rectified
into direct current (DC).

The simplest bridge rectifier is made up of just four diodes (components which allow
electricity to flow in just one direction). The diagram below (taken from our Introduction to
Bridge Rectifiers) shows how the four diodes are wired together and also shows how
electricity flows through it as the current alternates.
Three Phase Bridge Rectifiers
Typically wind turbines do not generate single phase AC (displayed in the above example),
but instead generate multi-phase AC - usually three-phase AC electricity. To better
understand the basic principles of three phase electricity please click here.

Therefore, more diodes are required to rectify the three phases of electricity - in fact six are
required and must be wired up as shown in the diagram below.

Why Make Your Own Bridge Rectifier?

It is possible to purchase complete bridge rectifiers cheaply with current ratings from
below 1 Amp to as much as 35 or 50 Amps. To make a three phase bridge rectifier is a
simple case of wiring them together and then to each of the three phases of generated
electricity. Click here to find out how to make a bridge rectifier in this way.

Pictured above is an example of a 35A bridge rectifier (available for sale through this
website). Bridge rectifiers rated above 35A or 50A suddenly become very expensive.
Therefore if your wind turbine has a total maximum output current of more than 25-30
Amps, it is worthwhile making your own bridge rectifier with high power rated diodes
wired as shown above but fitted to a suitably large heatsink.

High Current High Voltage Diodes

Diodes are available in a massive range of voltages and currents. Here is a list of some
example diodes which can be used in bridge rectifiers for high current applications:

1N4045 Rectifier Diode - rated up to 275 Amps at voltages of up to 100 Volts. These are
particularly suitable for 12V wind turbines which will not exceed 100 Volts, but may
generate high currents. The 1N4045 datasheet (PDF 99 kB) can be downloaded here.

MBR7030WT Schottky Power Rectifier - rated up to 70 Amps and 30 Volts. These are
again suitable for many 12V wind turbines and are avaibale for just a couple of pounds each.
MBR7030WT datasheet (PDF) is available here.

DD171N14K Dual Power Module - rated at up to 1400 Volts and 171 Amps. These would
be suitable for almost any domestic wind turbine.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1-230 volt to 12 volt stepdown transformer

• 1-bridge rectifier diode
• 1-electrical plug with about 6 feet of wire
• electrical tape

1. Locate the 230 volt input side of the transformer. The wire with the plug will be attached
to the input side of the transformer. Strip about 1/4 of an inch of insulation from the ends of
the wires. Connect one wire from the plug to each input terminal on the transformer. This
connection can be tied, taped, soldered, or use connectors. I recommend soldering this
connection.

2. Look at the bridge diode. It also has a input and output side. The output from the
transformer will be connected to the input of the bridge diode. Strip 1/4 of an inch of
insulation of of the ends of two 6 inch pieces of 16 gauge wire. Connect the each wire to a
different output terminal on the transformer.

3. Connect the other ends of the two transformer output wires to the two AC input terminals
on the bridge diode. Check all connections, plug it in, and use a voltage meter to check the
output. The output shows up at the output terminals of the bridge diode.