Editing Diode bridge (section)

== Rectifier ==
In the diagrams below, when the input connected to the left corner of the diamond is positive, and the input connected to the right corner is negative, current flows from the upper supply terminal to the right along the red (positive) path to the output and returns to the lower supply terminal through the blue (negative) path.

[[Image:Diode bridge alt 1.svg]]

When the input connected to the left corner is negative, and the input connected to the right corner is positive, current flows from the lower supply terminal to the right along the red (positive) path to the output and returns to the upper supply terminal through the blue (negative) path.<ref name=SZY>{{cite book |editor-last1=Sears |editor-first1=Francis W. |editor-last2=Zemansky |editor-first2=Mark W. |editor-last3=Young |editor-first3=Hugh D. |title=University Physics |edition=6th |publisher=Addison-Wesely Publishing Co., Inc. |date=1982 |page=685 |isbn=0201071959}}</ref>

[[Image:Diode bridge alt 2.svg]]

[[File:Diodebridge-eng.gif|thumb|center|alt=An animated diagram of a diode bridge, where pulsing is meant to represent an electric current]]

In each case, the upper right output remains positive,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thegeekpub.com/243767/bridge-rectifier-circuit-electronics-basics/ |title=Bridge Rectifier Circuit - Electronics Basics |website=The Geek Pub |date=15 August 2019 |access-date=3 September 2019}}</ref> and lower right output negative. Since this is true whether the input is AC or DC, this circuit not only produces a DC output from an AC input, it can also provide reverse-polarity protection;  that is, it permits normal functioning of DC-powered equipment when batteries have been installed backwards, or when the leads from a DC power source have been reversed, and protects the equipment from potential damage caused by reverse polarity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Reverse Polarity Protection |at=Bridge Rectifier for Reverse Polarity Protection |website=The Renewable Energy UK Website |url=http://www.reuk.co.uk/wordpress/electric-circuit/reverse-polarity-protection/ |access-date=18 December 2023 |archive-date=4 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504095844/http://www.reuk.co.uk/wordpress/electric-circuit/reverse-polarity-protection/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Alternatives to the diode-bridge full-wave rectifiers are the [[full-wave rectifier|center-tapped transformer and double-diode rectifier]], and [[Voltage doubler#Bridge circuit|voltage doubler]] rectifier using two diodes and two capacitors in a bridge topology.

[[Image:Rectification.svg|thumb|250px|AC, [[Rectifier#Half-wave rectification|half-wave]] and full-wave rectified signals<ref name="CEST">"Rectifier", ''Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology'', Third Edition, Sybil P. Parker, ed. McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1994, p. 1589.</ref>]]