Significance

A bridge rectifier is a device which converts AC electricity into DC electricity. Bridge rectifiers are often found in the power supplies of electronic equipment.

Electricity

The electricity coming from a wall outlet is alternating current (AC) electricity; it switches directions from positive to negative continuously. Most electronics need direct current (DC) electricity to function. DC always flows in the same direction.

Diodes

A bridge has a "bridge" made of four diodes. Diodes are electronic one-way valves; they allow electricity to flow in one direction, but stop it when it tries to flow the other way.

Function

When the AC electricity flows through the positive half of its cycle, one pair of diodes direct it to a positive output wire while the other pair stop it from flowing down the negative wire. When the AC electricity goes through the negative half of its cycle, the second pair of diodes direct it to the negative wire while the first pair stop if from flowing down the positive wire.

Considerations

The electricity coming out of the bridge rectifier has "bumps" where the electricity changes directions. Most bridge rectifiers use components called capacitors to even out the bumps.

Source:

Hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu: