Diodes and bridges for current management

Diodes and their features

The diode is one of the fundamental components of electronics; it’s a semiconductor that acts as a unidirectional current switch. It allows current to flow in one direction only, preventing it the from flowing in the opposite direction.

A diode consists of two metal ends, the anode, and the cathode, and is able to straighten a half-wave of the current flow. By applying an alternating current flow on the anode, we can take a continuous flow on the cathode, if instead, we apply an alternating current flow, on the opposite terminal we will take a continuous flow.

Diodes are also called rectifiers because they change alternating current (AC) to pulsating direct current (DC).

The diodes application areas are the most varied, such as:

• - general environment lighting;
• - mobile telephony;
• - portable devices;
• - power supplies;
• - other consumer applications.

Bridges and their application areas

Rectifier bridges consist of four interconnected diodes capable of full rectification of alternating current and are classified according to the maximum current they can rectify and according to the maximum power of the applicable voltage.

As with diodes, the areas of use of bridges are also varied, so bridges are useful:

• - in printed circuit boards;
• - in the automotive industry;
• - in lighting;
• - for battery charger;
• - for household appliances;
• - for office equipment;
• - in telecommunication applications.