Rectifier circuits

Thread Starter

jrap

Joined Jun 25, 2006
1,125
Hey everyone, received the following email:

Hi

There seem to be some errors in http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_3/chpt_3/4.html

When you draw the direction of current through the diodes in your bridge converters and centre tap transformers,
the current is shown as flowing into the negative terminal of the diodes. Isnt this impossible?

Diodes conduct positive current only, and block negative current.

thanks
Swaroop
 

JoeJester

Joined Apr 26, 2005
4,390
I didn't see anything wrong with the ebook.

I'm thinking he is using conventional flow -v- electron flow, or his instructor is explaining it improperly.
 

mozikluv

Joined Jan 22, 2004
1,435
maybe "swaroop" has already been enlightened by going back to his books. but i do believe many are confused by this concept of "conventional current flow" & "electron flow" I would like to quote from a book from Texas Inst and later in its 5th edition edited by Don L. Cannon Ph. D. and i quote,

"The direction in w/c electrons can pass is opposite the direction in w/c the arrowhead points. Electrons flow within the diode from cathode (K) to anode (A).

You may wonder why the diode symbol arrow points opposite to the direction of electron flow. In circuits, we like to use a current flow opposite to electron flow. Electrons flow from more negative voltages to more positive voltages. Circuit descriptions use an imaginary current that flows from more positive voltages to more negative voltages. This imaginary current flow called conventional current. The diode symbol points in the direction of conventional current flow, since it is a circuit symbol. The conventional flow is the direction current would flow if the flowing particle were positively charged. Physically we see that current is due to negativelycharged electrons flowing in one direction. This is equivalent to positively charged particles flowing in the opposite direction. In physical description of devices , we tend to use the physically meaningful electron flow. In circuit description, the conventional current tends to make our circuit simpler to understand. "

hope this unravels the confusion in this issue.

moz

 

Dave

Joined Nov 17, 2003
6,969
Further to the information provided by mozikluv:

Conventional against electron current flow is also covered in Volume I - Chapter 1.7

jrap, can I suggest that you reply to swaroop and bring to his attention this thread were he can ask further information if required.

Dave
 
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