Multiple Input Rectifiers

[S. Ethier]

Is there such a thing (or method) of taking multiple AC signals and
converting them to DC (similar to what a bridge rectifier does) and
combining those signals together in series to form one big source?

I know its possible to do with one AC signal using a common bridge
rectifier and then some filters and regulators to get a relatively
stable power source. However if I try to connect two bridge rectifiers
together then the output of one rectifier interferes with the second...
Any ideas?

Steph

 

[Larry Brasfield]

[sci.electronics.basics added to followups.]

Please, if your post truly belongs in two NGs, cross-post
it rather than multiposting. You can and should put all the
relevant NGs into the 'Newsgroups:' header.

Is there such a thing (or method) of taking multiple AC signals and converting them to DC (similar to what a bridge rectifier
does) and combining those signals together in series to form one big source?

Do a web search on "voltage multiplier" Such circuits
do something similar to what you are saying.

I know its possible to do with one AC signal using a common bridge rectifier and then some filters and regulators to get a
relatively stable power source. However if I try to connect two bridge rectifiers together then the output of one rectifier
interferes with the second... Any ideas?

If your two bridge rectifiers were powered by separate
windings, then the bridge DC outputs could be connected
in series. Otherwise, the connection results in some high
current paths that do no good.

 

[John Woodgate]

I read in sci.electronics.design that S. Ethier <[email protected]>

Is there such a thing (or method) of taking multiple AC signals and
converting them to DC (similar to what a bridge rectifier does) and
combining those signals together in series to form one big source?

I know its possible to do with one AC signal using a common bridge
rectifier and then some filters and regulators to get a relatively
stable power source. However if I try to connect two bridge rectifiers
together then the output of one rectifier interferes with the second...
Any ideas?

It isn't clear quite what you want to do. You can't connect two bridge
rectifiers to the same transformer winding and then add their DC outputs
in series. But you could add the rectified outputs from two or more
**separate** secondary windings.

If you have only one winding, and you don't want more than a few tens of
milliamps of current (if you are using 50 or 60 Hz), then Google for
'voltage multiplier'. Using the traditional Cockroft-Walton circuit, you
can multiply by about 10 times before the thing runs out of steam, but
there is a different configuration ('parallel-fed') that allows larger
multiplications and is more efficient (but costs more).

 

[Joerg]

Hello John,

If you have only one winding, and you don't want more than a few tens of
milliamps of current (if you are using 50 or 60 Hz), then Google for
'voltage multiplier'. ...

You can get a lot more than a few tens of mA. I did one that took in
220V mains AC and delivered a solid 900V out at two amps, continuous
duty. This was for an amp and it could have delivered more but the
plates of the tubes would have changed from a reddish glow to white. Ok,
the capacitor bank was the size of half a shoe box. I was young and a
transformer wasn't in the cards financially. You just had to make sure
that the 220V plug got plugged in one way and never the other way around...

Anyway, Steph might want to think of a switcher.

Regards, Joerg

 

[[email protected]]

Is there such a thing (or method) of taking multiple AC signals and
converting them to DC (similar to what a bridge rectifier does) and
combining those signals together in series to form one big source?
yup

I know its possible to do with one AC signal using a common bridge
rectifier and then some filters and regulators to get a relatively
stable power source. However if I try to connect two bridge rectifiers
together then the output of one rectifier interferes with the second...
Any ideas?

yup: tell us much more about what youve got and what you want.

NT

 

[[email protected]]

Is there such a thing (or method) of taking multiple AC signals and
converting them to DC (similar to what a bridge rectifier does) and
combining those signals together in series to form one big source?
yup

I know its possible to do with one AC signal using a common bridge
rectifier and then some filters and regulators to get a relatively
stable power source. However if I try to connect two bridge rectifiers
together then the output of one rectifier interferes with the second...
Any ideas?

yup: tell us much more about what youve got and what you want.

NT