Newbie question here…I need to know the proper terminology so I know what I'm looking for. I have a bridge rectifier that has four flat blades on the bottom.
I want to throw it on a breadboard to test my circuit, and will eventally want to get it onto a pcb. Right now, I've got it connected to jumpers on my breadboard via four alligator clip cables, but there's GOT to be a better way.
Searching for "bridge rectifier socket" led me to some proprietary socket datasheets for a very specific rectifier that didn't fit. But not even a Mouser or DigiKey page in the top 50 or so results.
What am I looking for so I can get better search results?
Best Answer
The type of rectifier shown in your picture is intended for bolting directly to a heat sink via the hole in the center. It is for large currents.
For smaller currents, there are bridge rectifiers that have lead terminals for through-hole soldering. Or else you can use four diodes like 1N4001's.
Bridge rectifiers are not usually socketed, so that may be why "bridge rectifier socket" doesn't turn up much. Including yours. The rectifier you have has connector terminals exactly for the reason that it ends up being bolted to a chassis, away from both the transformer and the circuit board that it supplies. In these situations it has to be disconnected so the circuit board can be removed without removing the rectifier from the case.