Center Tap vs Dual Secondaries

[StalfoS]

I am wondering what the difference is between a center tapped transformer, and a transformer with dual secondaries?

I am looking to build a gc amp with two seperate rectifier bridges (as that is what comes in the kit), and I have read somewhere that in order to do this, one must have either 2 transformers, or 1 with dual secondaries. Will a single, center tapped transformer work? Ie, is it possible to connect the center tap wire to both bridges?

In scenario b, say I were to use only one rectifier bridge, and I wanted an ac input (before rectification) of 22V. Would I want a 11-0-11 transformer or a 22-0-22? Would either work depending on how I wired it?

Thanks to anyone who can sort out my confusion.

[Sherman]

I have built a few power supplies with 2 bridges using CT transformers. It does seem to matter how you use the CT though. It would seem that (using the Brian GT boards nomenclature) you would wire one AC line to AC1H and the other to AC2H and then use the CT for AC1N and AC2N. When I tried that I blew fuses.

What I found that has worked for me is this-
AC1 from the transformer to AC1H on the board
CT from the transformer to AC1N on the board
CT from the transformer to AC2H on the board
AC2 from the transformer to AC2N on the board

Here is a diagram:

[qdoc]

Technically best one is parallel wound dual secondary, because two windings are exactly the same. Most of the center tapped transformer has one winding layered inside and the other one outside and that can create a different characteristic however I don't belive that will make practical differences.
To use dual secondary, when you have Va, 0a, Vb,0b, combine 0a and Vb which will works as center tab and goes to the ground level. Va goes to one AC in of bridge rectifier and 0b goes to the other AC in.
The rectifiers + and - out goes to the filter caps and to feed the amp.

[Leolabs]

some told me that dual secondaries make pure balanced power source than center tapped

[StalfoS]

My BrianGT kit came with two rectifier boards.. This made sense to me until i realized that each board had two bridges on it. What is the purpose of having 4 rectifier bridges?? Can someone explain? Circuit diagrams would be super helpful.

Cheers.

[Sherman]

Originally posted by StalfoS
My BrianGT kit came with two rectifier boards.. This made sense to me until i realized that each board had two bridges on it. What is the purpose of having 4 rectifier bridges?? Can someone explain? Circuit diagrams would be super helpful.

Cheers.

One board is "extra" if you are building a stereo (if you put both amp boards into a single case with a single power supply).

You use it if you build monoblocks (i.e. if you put each amp board in its own case with its own power supply).

Actually you could also put both amps in one case and still give each its own PS but I think that is overkill.

[cpemma]

If you're wanting a regulated supply, dual secondary does allow 2 identical regulators on each positive line from the 2 rectifier bridges.