to an end user/builder, does it matter if the rectifier section is full wave (2 diodes) vs bridge rectifier (4 diodes)?

I've been reading (searching the net) on the differences between the two:

  1. It seems a bridge rectifier is more efficient in terms of the transformer construction.
  2. The bridge rectifier has a bigger voltage drop because of the two diodes (maximum of .7 each)
  3. Ripple is higher on a bridge rectifier


For an end user, I feel the transformer construction advantage might be not as useful.

In my case, I'm looking at two transformers which cost the same.
  • 300VA 2 x 12VAC @ 12.5A (will be used in full-wave mode with ground center-tap. connecting the 2 secodaries in series to get 24VAC)
  • 300VA 2 x 24VAC @ 6.25A (will be used in a bridge rectifier configuration)

Are there any other electrical advantages/disadvantages of one or the other? Is the current output the same/similar?

PS: I need +/- 30+ VDC after the rectifiers.

Thank you.

View attachment 1092239
View attachment 1092240


better traffo utilization in the 4 diode case...
 
Understanding power supplies, their theory of operation, voltages including connected diodes and filter capacitors, is easily learned from certified textbooks on electronics and available online. - or for that matter in a classroom
And much simpler to comprehend than having to post numerous questions in a forum with its numerous and sometimes confusing and conflicting replies.

Nothing against this forum, mind you, but pick up a book and read it.
 
OK, the full wave bridge only requires a single winding, but the drawback is 2 diode drops worth of power dissipation. The full-wave center tap approach gives you only one diode drop's worth of dissipation, but you have the headache of having to deal with twice as many turns to get the center-tapped winding., as well as arranging symmetry between the two winding halves (may be necessary to prevent flux walking in the transformer core for a SMPS - not so important for a line frequency XFMR). Also, the voltage stress on the diodes will be less for the full-wave bridge (by a factor of two) than for the full wave center tapped approach.
 
What does that mean? Is this the efficient construction I mentioned above?

that is easy, consider a FWCT case using a 400-0-400vac secondary, now using two diode rectifiers, you will see that current conductions alternates between halves of the secondary every 180 degrees of the ac electrical cycles...so each half of the 360 electrical cycle, the alternate half is boing nothing, did you follow?

now considering the 4 diode case, with just a 400vac secondary, the the whole of the 360 degrees is utilized, no unused time here...no half of the cycle is wasted doing nothing...
 
then some would argue, but the four diodes have more voltage drops than a two diode fwct case,
what about it? if the B+ is 300vdc, will you be concerned about a 1.5 volt more loss? of course not!
Indeed.
My post #24 refers to trivialities like that one.
And even if low-voltage solid state supplies are the case, a tiny drop in comparison to full B+ shouldn't matter either.
Because if it is a worry, then a proper re-design is in order, instead of nitpicking over it.
That is relatively simple, yet seems to generate endless threads of opinions and solutions.
 
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then some would argue, but the four diodes have more voltage drops than a two diode fwct case,
what about it? if the B+ is 300vdc, will you be concerned about a 1.5 volt more loss? of course not!
In my case, I use 18VCT to get 11.6VDC@8A using FWCT Using a bridge, I would have a second diode drop and the voltage would be too low.
In the case of the OP, wouldn't it make sense to use the 24V transformers and create a centre tap like this? He want's a biploar 30V supply.
1664029135876.png
 
I've been reading (searching the net) on the differences between the two:

  1. It seems a bridge rectifier is more efficient in terms of the transformer construction.
  2. The bridge rectifier has a bigger voltage drop because of the two diodes (maximum of .7 each)
  3. Ripple is higher on a bridge rectifier

For an end user, I feel the transformer construction advantage might be not as useful.

In my case, I'm looking at two transformers which cost the same.
  • 300VA 2 x 12VAC @ 12.5A (will be used in full-wave mode with ground center-tap. connecting the 2 secodaries in series to get 24VAC)
  • 300VA 2 x 24VAC @ 6.25A (will be used in a bridge rectifier configuration)


Are there any other electrical advantages/disadvantages of one or the other? Is the current output the same/similar?

PS: I need +/- 30+ VDC after the rectifiers.

Thank you.

View attachment 1092239
View attachment 1092240

1. it is, half the voltage of the ct case...transformer insulations are not as stringent...
2 true, but 1.5 volts is nothing to lose sleep about...the resulting current flow and therefore the heat is more of the consideration than voltage drop alone..
3. not true that ripple is higher on the full wave bridge, than the full wave center tap, why? because ripple frequency is the same 100hz in the 50 hz line and 12hz in the 60hz lines....
Ripple voltage at 120hz, Vr= I/6.28*120*C; where I is load current, and C is in farads...

my advise, first determine your load, i.e. what amplifier are you looking to build, class A versus class AB have different considerations, it is not wise to choose when you are not sure what you are using those traffos for...never worked that way, at least for me...

like the horse and the carriage, you choose the carriage when you get your horse or horses...

btw, if you need +-30v that means under full load, so expect an open circuit voltage as high a +-35 volts or more with a certain primary line voltage, as the primary line voltage rise and fall, then your dc also follows...
 
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A few tenths of a volt matters on low voltage stuff though. Sure who cares on 300 volts, but in my case it's heaters and it matters. That few tenths of a volt at 10 amperes is a few watts of wasted power along with the few tenths of a volt lower output which will require larger heatsinks and more physical space.
 
A few tenths of a volt matters on low voltage stuff though. Sure who cares on 300 volts, but in my case it's heaters and it matters. That few tenths of a volt at 10 amperes is a few watts of wasted power along with the few tenths of a volt lower output which will require larger heatsinks and more physical space.
And as I said before, nitpicking about stuff gives me a headache.
Sorry, I don't obsess over trivialities that are beyond hearing ability, and "what if" reliability issues.
If ya can't design something that can handle reasonable voltage swings, then redesign it.
Because otherwise the thing's too unstable and touchy to even deal with IMO.