Bridge Rectifier Calculator | Bridge Rectifier Output Voltage Formula

Bridge Rectifier Output Voltage Calculator

Enter any 1 value to calculate the missing variable:

Input AC Voltage (V_rms):

Output DC Voltage (V_dc):

Result:

Result will appear here.

How to Use This Calculator

This calculator is designed to help you determine the missing voltage value in a bridge rectifier circuit. You can input either the AC Voltage (Vrms) or the DC Output Voltage (Vdc), and the calculator will compute the missing value for you.

Input Fields:
- Input AC Voltage (Vrms): Enter the AC voltage (in volts) if you know it.
- Output DC Voltage (Vdc): Enter the DC voltage (in volts) if you know it.
Buttons:
- Calculate: Click this button to compute the missing voltage value.
- Reset: Click this button to clear all inputs and results.
Result:
- The result will display either the Output DC Voltage (Vdc) or the Input AC Voltage (Vrms), depending on what you entered.

Bridge Rectifier Output Voltage Formula

The formula to calculate the DC Output Voltage (Vdc) from the AC Input Voltage (Vrms) in a bridge rectifier is:

DC Output Voltage (Vdc) = (AC Input Voltage (Vrms) × √2) – Diode Voltage Drop (Vd)

Where:

AC Input Voltage (Vrms): The root mean square (RMS) value of the AC voltage supplied to the rectifier.
√2: A constant (approximately 1.414) used to convert RMS voltage to peak voltage.
Diode Voltage Drop (Vd): The total voltage drop across the diodes in the bridge rectifier. For silicon diodes, this is typically 1.4V (0.7V per diode, with two diodes conducting at any time).

If you know the DC Output Voltage (Vdc) and want to calculate the AC Input Voltage (Vrms), the formula is rearranged as:

AC Input Voltage (Vrms) = (DC Output Voltage (Vdc) + Diode Voltage Drop (Vd)) / √2

Explanation of the Formula

Convert RMS to Peak Voltage:
- The RMS voltage is multiplied by √2 to get the peak voltage of the AC waveform.
Subtract Diode Voltage Drop:
- The bridge rectifier uses four diodes, but only two diodes conduct at a time. Each diode has a voltage drop of approximately 0.7V, so the total drop is 1.4V.
Result:
- The final value is the DC Output Voltage (Vdc), which is the usable voltage after rectification.

Example Calculation

If the AC Input Voltage (Vrms) is 12V:

Peak Voltage = 12V × 1.414 = 16.97V.
Subtract Diode Drop = 16.97V – 1.4V = 15.57V.
The DC Output Voltage (Vdc) is approximately 15.57V.

What is a Bridge Rectifier?

A bridge rectifier is an electronic circuit that converts alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). It uses four diodes arranged in a bridge configuration to ensure that the output voltage always has the same polarity, regardless of the input AC polarity. Bridge rectifiers are widely used in power supplies for electronic devices.

Key Features of a Bridge Rectifier:

Full-Wave Rectification: Converts both halves of the AC waveform into DC, making it more efficient than half-wave rectifiers.
No Center-Tapped Transformer: Unlike some rectifiers, it does not require a center-tapped transformer, making it cost-effective.
Diode Voltage Drop: Each diode in the bridge rectifier causes a small voltage drop (typically 0.7V for silicon diodes).

How to Calculate Bridge Rectifier Output Voltage?

To calculate the DC Output Voltage (Vdc) of a bridge rectifier, follow these steps:

Measure or Determine the AC Input Voltage (Vrms):
- This is the RMS (root mean square) value of the AC voltage supplied to the rectifier.
Convert RMS Voltage to Peak Voltage:
- Multiply the RMS voltage by 22 (approximately 1.414) to get the peak voltage.
Account for Diode Voltage Drops:
- Subtract the total voltage drop across the diodes (typically 1.4V for two diodes in a bridge rectifier).
Calculate the DC Output Voltage (Vdc):
- Use the formula: Vdc=(Vrms×2)−VdVdc=(Vrms×2)−Vd.