Hi Guys,

Is it possible to calculate the voltage drop of a DBR if you know the input VAC? Or is it manufacturer specific?

Thanks in advance.

 

Read the datasheet. It has a graph of forward voltage drop/current.

 

If it contains standard silicon diodes, you will generally have about 0.7V per diode. Schottky diodes have a much lower voltage drop C. 0.2V but much higher leakage than silicon. If you have access to a datasheet then that is obviously the best option. If not most multimeters have a Vf setting where you can measure forward voltage

 

Thanks guys. Appreciate it!

 

If it contains standard silicon diodes, you will generally have about 0.7V per diode. Schottky diodes have a much lower voltage drop C. 0.2V but much higher leakage than silicon. If you have access to a datasheet then that is obviously the best option. If not most multimeters have a Vf setting where you can measure forward voltage

Rectifiers are often run harder than signal diodes so voltage drops of over a volt are not uncommon. In a bridge you have 2 diode drops. RTFM is almost always good.

 

Rectifiers are often run harder than signal diodes so voltage drops of over a volt are not uncommon. In a bridge you have 2 diode drops. RTFM is almost always good.

1) I work on car alternators every day which have silicon diodes often carrying up to 30A and have never seen a diode drop more than 0.8 V.
0.7V is a pretty standard value for the IN series and most bridge rectifier diodes are similar.
2) Yes you are correct each diode will have a voltage drop so an overall drop of 1.5 V or so can be expected. Power dissipation of the bridge must also be considered e.g. 3 Amp rectifies will produce circa. 9 Watt.