Bridge rectifiers as power semiconductor modules from SIRECTIFIER
Bridge rectifiers as power semiconductor modules from SIRECTIFIERDate of publication: 24-07-2025 🕒 4 min read
Key Information at a Glance
- SIRECTIFIER offers a wide range of power rectifier bridges: B2U, B6U, B2H, B6C, and others.
- Ideal solutions for drive systems, power supplies, and AC-DC energy conversion.
- Compact design, high reliability, and compliance with industrial requirements.
The emergence of power semiconductor devices (power electronic devices) based on silicon has initiated a new era in electrical energy processing and led to the dynamic development of a new application area called industrial electronics (power electronic). It is precisely semiconductor power elements, such as diodes, thyristors, and transistors acting as switching keys, that are the foundation of applications such as drives, power supplies, high-frequency inverters, and power control systems.
In such systems, energy conversion circuits — converters — play a key role. We distinguish four basic types of electrical energy conversion, each associated with specific component groups:
- AC-DC conversion (changing alternating current AC to direct current DC) using rectifiers,
- DC-AC conversion (changing direct current/voltage DC to alternating current/voltage AC) using inverters,
- DC-DC conversion (changing direct current DC to direct current DC) using converters known as Choppers or SMPS power supplies,
- AC-AC conversion (changing alternating current AC to alternating current AC) using intermediate or direct frequency converters known as cycloconverters.
For this review, we will omit issues of control, power sources, or receiving devices, and focus only on the first executive element – the rectifier, enabling AC to DC conversion. Rectifier designs can be divided into:
- uncontrolled (uncontrolled) – based solely on diodes,
- half-controlled (half-controlled) – containing both diodes and thyristors,
- fully-controlled (full-controlled) – built with thyristors.
Each of these versions finds application under different working conditions, depending on the needs of the application – from simple power systems to advanced industrial power electronic systems.
Popular rectifier configurations are listed below.
Rectifier Schematics:
Power Modules – A Crucial Component of Power Electronic Systems
Power semiconductor modules are commonly used in systems related to the broad concept of electrical energy processing. Their design is engineered to operate under high voltage and large currents, typical for industrial installations, drive systems, or high-power supplies.
Among the available configurations, we find:
- single diodes (e.g., in the M1U configuration),
- single thyristors (e.g., M1C),
- double diodes – with a common anode, common cathode (M2U), in series connection or independent,
- double thyristors – e.g., with a common cathode (M2C),
- hybrid modules – combining diodes and thyristors in one housing.
These types of components ensure high reliability and durability in applications requiring heavy loads. Their compact, thoughtful designs also allow for better heat management and simplified assembly.
A special place in this group is occupied by rectifier bridges, which form a separate functional category. In one housing, they integrate a complete set of elements necessary to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), making them an exceptionally practical solution – both in simple power systems and advanced industrial installations.
Construction and Characteristics of Power Rectifier Bridges
A rectifier bridge is a circuit that contains four or six semiconductor elements. Depending on the application needs and the control process of rectification, various configurations are available:
- Uncontrolled diode bridges:
- single-phase – B2U
- three-phase – B6U
- Half-controlled diode-thyristor bridges:
- single-phase – B2H
- three-phase – B6H
- Controlled thyristor bridges (configuration of four or six thyristors):
- single-phase – B2C
- three-phase – B6C
TME offers a wide selection of these components from various manufacturers, both in single- and three-phase versions. Our range includes rectifier bridges available as compact integrated circuits in various mounting formats – from surface mount (SMT) to through-hole mounting (THT). Popular housings include DIP, round, flat, and square – with wire leads or FAST-ON connectors, facilitating quick connection.
For applications with greater requirements, power modules are also available in housings designed for:
- soldering (e.g., ECO-PAC),
- press-in PCB mounting (Press-in PCB),
- screw mounting with terminals – especially valued for durability and service convenience (e.g., PWS-D and PWS-E series).
SIRECTIFIER – Proven Power Modules in TME's Offer
Products from the brand SIRECTIFIER find application in a wide spectrum of modern technologies — from everyday use equipment to advanced industrial systems with high energy demands. Their versatility, high quality of manufacture, and reliability make them a popular choice among designers and service technicians worldwide.
Thanks to the manufacturer's many years of experience and continuous improvement of technological processes, SIRECTIFIER modules ensure stable and long-lasting performance even in demanding operational conditions.
In the TME catalog, you will find a wide selection of rectifier bridges from this brand – screw modules, in single- and three-phase versions, adapted to various mounting methods and application specifics.
