Understanding Rectifier and Rectifier Circuits on Ship

Apart from their small size, all electrical and electronic equipment or circuit on boards on ship play a vital role in operation of ship’s system and machinery. Different equipment onboard vessel utilizes alternating current, direct current or both depending upon the nature of operation. Some of the Very important circuits and setups are run through D.C current.

Since most of the ship generates A.C current from its alternator, it becomes essential to use a device, along with transformer, which can convert this A.C current into D.C current for the use of those equipment or circuit running on D.C.

Rectifier

Rectifier is a circuit which utilizes one or more semiconductor diode to convert an alternating current into a pulsating direct current.

This process of conversion is known as rectification.

Types of Rectifier

Half wave rectifier

Half wave rectifier consists of a single diode connected in series with load resistor.

During the positive half cycle of input voltage, the diode is forward biased and it conducts for all volts which is greater than its barrier potential.

During negative half of the cycle, the diode is reverse biased hence it does not conduct.

Full wave rectifier

Full wave rectifier circuit allows unidirectional current to flow to the load during the entire input cycle.

There are two types of single full wave rectifier:

1)      Two diodes connected back to back using a centre tapped transformer.

2)      Full wave bridge rectifier using four diodes connected in the form of bridge.

Bridge rectifier

A single phase bridge rectifier is used with four diodes connected in bridge with a non centre tapped transformer. Full wave rectifier has an advantage of converting both polarities of input A.C waveform in to D.C, hence it is more efficient.

A three phase rectifier circuit consist of six diodes which are in pair of three, connected in series (anode to cathode). It is commonly used in three phase circuits.

Application onboard

Some of the uses of rectifiers on board ship are;

• Used in many marine electronic devices and circuits.

• They are used for onboard battery charging from the ship supply.

• Used in detection of radio signals.

• They can be used in electroplating process.

• They are used in ship construction for electrolyte refining of metals.

• Used in operation of D.C motor.

• Used in field excitation of three phase alternator.

You may also like to read- Operational Amplifier (op amp) & Electrical Safety Device: Air Circuit Breaker (ACB)

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About Author

An ardent sailor and a techie, Anish Wankhede has voyaged on a number of ships as a marine engineer officer. He loves multitasking, networking, and troubleshooting. He is the one behind the unique creativity and aesthetics at Marine Insight.

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