I have a piece of equipment that is tripping breakers as soon as it is turned on. I was pointed to a bridge rectirfier as the probably cause of my problems. My meter does not have a diode test function so I tried reading resistance. I have opens between every pin except between the '+' DC pin and one of the AC pins. Is that supposed to be there, or have I found my problem?

Thanks.

 

Hello,

Have you taken the bridge rectifier out of the circuit?
If the bridge rectifier is still in the circuit the transformer will measure like an almost short.
Take a look at this page how to measure diodes with a DMM:
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_3/chpt_3/2.html

Bertus

 

You may also find it helpful to read this thread on p2 of this forum:-
Full bridge rectifier

P.S On second thoughts,you probably have found your culprit.
In a normal circuit using a transformer,there will be a short between the two AC inputs,but there should not be one between either of the AC inputs & the positive output.
The bad news is,that if you have AC on that rail,you may have killed some components.

Thanks for the link,Bertus.

 

Hello,

Have you taken the bridge rectifier out of the circuit?
If the bridge rectifier is still in the circuit the transformer will measure like an almost short.
Take a look at this page how to measure diodes with a DMM:
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_3/chpt_3/2.html

Bertus

I had the bridge completly out of the machine.

 

I have opens between every pin except between the '+' DC pin and one of the AC pins. Is that supposed to be there, or have I found my problem?

It's worst then that, he's dead, Jim.

 

Check for a shorted filter capacitor or you might blow another diode bridge when you fire it up.