Electronic – Importance of series resistor at output of Rectifier

acbridge-rectifierfilterresistors

For conversion of AC into pulsating DC we used Rectifiers circuits. But I read
somewhere (from a well-known site) that the circuit does not work in ideal condition if I used my first circuit. The second circuit is the correct circuit as per their view ideally in ideal condition.

As I used the first circuit many times but on breadboard only so it adds the resistance of wires so might be it works.But I do not understand the reason behind for that extra resistance actually.
Please share your knowledge regarding this. It will be a great help in clearing my concepts on this topic. enter image description here

Best Answer

In an actual circuit, the effect of R1 is always present, whether or not there is a separate R1 installed.

If you simulate the top circuit with a zero impedance voltage source, diodes with no residual resistance, and a capacitor with zero ESR, then the current that flows during the charging pulses will be infinite, which is of course non-physical. When simulating, you should add an estimate of the transformer winding resistance as R1, as well as using diode models which include residual resistance, to get sensible charging current magnitudes. We can usually ignore capacitor ESR compared to those other two resistances.

Given the transformer resistance, wiring resistance, and the robustness of typical rectifier diodes to pulse loading, it's unlikely that you would ever need to add an explicit R1 to such a rectifier circuit to reduce the size of the charging current pulses. But I'd never say never.