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How to Test a Rectifier BR5006

A bridge rectifier is a device that is used to convert alternating electric current into direct current. A bridge rectifier is made up of four discrete rectifier diodes. Each diode acts as a one-way check valve for electric current. When the voltage across a silicon diode exceeds 0.7 volts, the diode conducts current; when the voltage falls below 0.7 volts, the diode turns off and no current flows through the diode. The procedure for testing a silicon rectifier such as the BR5006 is very similar to the procedure for testing a discrete diode. Many digital multimeters have a diode-test function that you can use to test whether the rectifier is working properly.

Things You'll Need

BR5006 rectifier
Digital multimeter with diode-check function

Instructions

- 1
  Attach the red electrical probe from the multimeter to the first ̶0;AC̶1; terminal on the rectifier. Attach the black electrical probe from the multimeter to the ̶0;+̶1; terminal on the rectifier.
- 2
  Turn on the multimeter and set the measurement scale to ̶0;Diode Test.̶1; Allow the multimeter to test the rectifier for approximately 5 seconds. Check the multimeter display. If the multimeter shows that the rectifier passed the diode test, proceed to the next step. If the multimeter shows that the rectifier failed the diode test, disconnect the probes from the rectifier and dispose of the rectifier accordingly.
- 3
  Disconnect the red multimeter probe from the first ̶0;AC̶1; terminal on the rectifier. Connect this probe to the second ̶0;AC̶1; terminal on the rectifier. Allow the multimeter to test the rectifier for approximately 5 seconds. Check the multimeter display again. If the rectifier has passed this diode test as well, the rectifier is working properly and may be used in an electronic circuit. If the rectifier diode has failed this test, disconnect the probes from the rectifier and dispose of the rectifier accordingly.

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