Electrical Engineering ⇒ Topic : Electrolytic Rectifiers

Electrolytic Rectifiers

The working principle of electrolytic rectifiers is as follows :

"If two plates of different metals (e.g. lead and aluminium) are placed in an electrolyte (e.g. sodium bicarbonate or aluminium phosphate solution) and connected to an A. C. voltage then current can pass only in one direction.

These rectifiers are primarily used for charging of low voltage batteries from A.C. supply. Their efficiency is low, nearly 60%.