puolijohdepiirin

Puolijohdepiiri, also known as a half-wave rectifier, is an electronic circuit that converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) by allowing current to flow in only one direction. It is a fundamental component in power supplies and various electronic devices. The circuit consists of a single diode, which acts as a switch, allowing current to pass through only when the AC input voltage is positive. During the negative half-cycle of the AC input, the diode is reverse-biased, blocking the current flow.

The output of a puolijohdepiiri circuit is a pulsating DC voltage, with the amplitude equal to the peak value of the AC input voltage. The frequency of the pulsating DC is twice that of the AC input, as the diode conducts during every positive half-cycle of the AC waveform. The ripple voltage, which is the variation in the DC output voltage, is significant in puolijohdepiiri circuits, making them suitable for applications where a low ripple voltage is not critical.

Puolijohdepiiri circuits are simple and inexpensive, making them widely used in various applications, such as battery chargers, DC power supplies, and signal rectification. However, their main drawback is the high ripple voltage, which can be reduced by using additional components like capacitors or by employing more complex rectifier circuits, such as full-wave rectifiers or bridge rectifiers.