Which type of rectifier is most commonly used in power supplies for electronic devices?

The full-wave bridge rectifier is the most commonly used type of rectifier in power supplies for electronic devices because it effectively converts both halves of an AC waveform into DC power. This configuration uses four diodes arranged in a bridge circuit, allowing current to flow through the load during both the positive and negative cycles of the AC input. As a result, it provides a smoother and more efficient output than half-wave rectifiers, which only utilize one half of the AC waveform.

Furthermore, the full-wave bridge rectifier offers a higher average output voltage and better transformer utilization, which is essential for power supply designs aimed at delivering reliable and stable power to electronic devices. The output is also less ripple-prone, meaning it can be filtered to produce a much smoother DC signal, crucial for the sensitive electronic circuits found in many devices.

The advantages of the full-wave bridge rectifier, particularly for applications requiring steady and regulated power supply, make it the preferred choice over other types, such as half-wave rectifiers, voltage doublers, or capacitive rectifiers, which have limitations in terms of efficiency and output quality.