Question

How do diodes work in the AC circuit?

Answer 1

A diode is an electrical component and it allows the flow of the current in only one direction. In general, it is represented by a triangle with a line across one vertex.

Complete answer:
The applications of diodes include computer systems, communication systems, power supply systems, television systems, parameter amplifiers, etc.
Diodes are always polarized and will consist of two terminals. The terminal with the positive side is called the anode and the terminal with the negative side is called the cathode.
Some of the different types of diodes are Light Emitting diode, Large signal diode, Small signal diode, Zener diode, Constant current diodes, Step recovery diodes, etc.
Diodes are used in Alternating Circuit applications mainly for power conversion.
There are two types of current namely Alternating Current (AC) and direct current (DC). In Alternating Current, the electrons will flow in both directions while in the case of the Direct Current, the electrons will flow in one direction. The transmission of electrical power over long distances can be made more economical by using AC.
As the Alternating current reverses the direction periodically and diodes will conduct only when forward biased and thus diodes conduct only in half-cycles and become insulated during the other cycles. Thus diode is being used in the rectification of Alternating Current into Direct current. For this purpose, two diodes or four diodes are used.

Note: Hence diodes are mainly used to rectify AC to DC Current and do this by passing the positive part of the wave only. Thus with the arrangement of several diodes in the form of a bridge rectifier, without any interruption, DC may be obtained.