tasasuuntaajasta

A tasasuuntaaja, or rectifier in English, is an electrical component or circuit that converts alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). AC is characterized by its constantly changing polarity, flowing back and forth, while DC flows in only one direction. Rectifiers are fundamental in many electronic devices that require a stable DC power supply, such as battery chargers, power adapters for laptops and phones, and the internal power supplies of televisions and computers.

The simplest form of a rectifier is a diode, a semiconductor device that allows current to flow in only one direction. By placing a diode in an AC circuit, it effectively blocks one half of the AC waveform, allowing only the positive or negative portions to pass through. This process is known as half-wave rectification. While simple, half-wave rectification is inefficient as it discards half of the input power and results in a pulsating DC output.

More commonly, full-wave rectification is employed. This method utilizes multiple diodes, often arranged in a bridge configuration (a diode bridge rectifier), to convert both halves of the AC waveform into a unidirectional current. This results in a more continuous and efficient DC output compared to half-wave rectification. Even with full-wave rectification, the output is still pulsating and often requires further smoothing using capacitors and inductors to achieve a steady, constant DC voltage. The process of smoothing is crucial for sensitive electronic components.