How do diodes work in an AC circuit?

1 Answer
Jul 23, 2015

Diodes conduct only when forward biased and restrict the flow of charges when reverse biased.

Explanation:

Diodes conduct only when they are forward biased. Since, AC reverses it direction periodically, the diode conducts only in half cycles and insulates during the other cycles.

This property of a diode is used in rectification of AC into DC.
In that case, two diodes (for a center tap rectifier) or four diodes are used.