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Matching diodes in a 'diamond' diode rectifier?

Posted by andyr (M) on October 13, 2024 at 20:47:07

OK, so a standard rectifier is 4x diodes in a diamond shape ... with:
* 2 diodes in series on the top part of the diamond - and 2 diodes in series on the bottom
* with cathodes facing forwards to the '+ve' output
* and anodes facing backwards to the 'ground' output
* with the transformer secondaries connected top and bottom, at the halfway point between each pair of series-connected diodes.

When I check the diodes before installing them (with my Peak DCA75), as well as telling me the diode is good (or bad) ... the meter shows a voltage reading (Vf).

So it seemed to me that it would be best to select diodes so that voltages matched.

But should I match diodes so that:
* the two between the AC (transformer) inputs to the diode bridge and the '+ve' point add to the same number as the two diodes between the 'ground' point and the AC inputs?
* or the two on one side of the diamond, between the ground point and '+ve' DC point, match the two on the other side of the diamond?

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