If I were to take a standard AC to DC converter, say a laptop charger, and hook up the input side (which expects 120VAC at 60Hz) to a DC power supply of some sorts, will the electricity still be “converted,” or will it just not work at all? I am clearly very uneducated when it comes to electronics (albeit working on it) so I would very much an ELI5 answer Thanks!
Thank you for your response! Here’s my understanding so maybe you can point out where I’m getting confused.
When the AC is positive, there is current coming in from the top line. The current goes to D1 & D3. Since it’s positive, it gets through D1 and creates a positive on the DC side. Since it’s hitting the line part of D3, it isn’t allowed through and it stops right there.
When the AC is negative, there is current coming in from the bottom line. The current goes to D2 & D4. The D2 allows the current to go through on the positive side, and continues to provide a positive current for DC. When it gets to D4, it is hitting the line side of the diode, so it isn’t allowed through.
Both D1 & D2 allow for a positive charge, while D3 & D4 prevent a negative charge from coming. However, couldn’t that be achieve without havining D3 & D4. Since there is no negative charge on the DC side, D3 & D4 never allow current through at all. If we just cut the wires to D3 & D4, wouldn’t it be the same outcome? What are their roles?
Kind of. You’re on the right track.
What you’re missing is that there is a loop. Imagine a resistor being connected to negative and positive of the load. Since it’s about relative voltages not absolutes, d1 and d3 both conduct. A positive on the triangle, or a negative on the bar will make them conduct. For electricity to flow you must have a loop from source to load and back to source. So current would flow from the source through d1 through the load through d3 and back to the source.
Hope that makes more sense.
You could remove d1/d4 OR d2/d3 and you’ll have a half wave rectifier, so you’ll get every other peak.