Semiconductor Rectifier

3D Model

With a mechanical model I have already explained the idea of a rectifying bridge. Time for a real example: a tiny rectifier from a 7W led filament bulb. It is produced as one piece so I had to destroy it to see the inside.

There are flat copper wires connecting 4 silicon diodes in the shape of a cuboid. Some wires I made partially transparet to let you see through. The silicon looked like silver. There was no difference in colour between the n-type and p-type parts. Here they are dipicted with different colours.

The current (green arrows) flows through the resistor always in one direction although an alternating voltage is applied between points A and B.

Semiconductor diodes let current flow only when the plus is at the p-type part and the minus at n-type part. A crossed arrow means that current flow in the direction pointed by the arrow is not possible.

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