Full wave rectifier versus Half wave rectifier

[Decko]

Why would one use a full wave bridge rectifier over a half wave rectifier? Or even a bridge rectifier?

What are the benefits of one over the other?

I have read that the full wave uses less filtering.

Just asking....

Thanks,
Decko

[VacuumVoodoo]

In order of increasing efficiency:
half wave: single cylinder two stroke engine
full wave: 2 cylinder two stroke
bridge: 4 cylinder 4 stroke

HW rectification is worst because it creates load current in the transformers windings that contains a DC component. This increases losses in the core. Every half cycle when diode is conducting the magnetic flux created in the core is unidirectional. It never reverses (there's no current during the other half cycle when diode is not conducting) so the magnetic particles in the core remain magnetized in one direction.

[alvarezh]

Attached is some more info from the Hammond site.

Notice the voltage drop from the different rectifier circuits.

Cheers.

[Decko]

Thank you for the responses.

The Trainwreck Express uses a full wave? yes?

Can you give a few popular amplifiers that use either method if rectification?

I would like to compare the circuit and see how I might experiment.

Decko

[tubeswell]

The original 6G15 used 1/2-wave rectification.

There's a lot of examples of FW out there

[alvarezh]

Hi Decko, what do you want to experiment with? You want to change the rectifier circuit? What are you trying to achieve?

Notice with the Hammond sheet I posted, in the case you are using the same voltage tap out of your Power Transformer, the resulting voltage after the diode rectifiers will vary. I would strongly suggest you understand those calculations rather well before you go on experimenting, for you could either end up with either more voltage, or less voltage than required for the proper operation of the amp.

Just my 2 cents.

Cheers.

[10thTx]

IF you scroll a little more than halfway down on this page, you will find some excellent diagrams and info about solid state rectification:

http://www.el34world.com/charts/CommonHookups.htm

With respect, 10thtx