What is selenium rectifiers?

Selenium rectifiers are electronic components used in electrical circuits to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). These rectifiers were widely used until the 1960s when they were replaced by more efficient silicon-based rectifiers.

Selenium rectifiers consist of a stack of thin selenium plates or strips that act as a semiconductor. The selenium plates are coated with a layer of metal on each side, and an electrode is attached to each end of the stack.

When an AC voltage is applied to the rectifier, a current flows through it, and the electrons move from one metal layer to another through the selenium layer. This results in the conversion of AC to DC.

One of the main advantages of selenium rectifiers is their ability to withstand high temperatures and high voltages. However, they also have several disadvantages, such as being less efficient than other rectifiers and having a relatively high leakage current.

In summary, selenium rectifiers played an essential role in the early development of electronics, but they have been largely replaced by more efficient and reliable rectifiers.