“This project combines woodwork and hydraulics to act as an analogy for a fairly basic, though incredibly useful array of electronic components known as a bridge rectifier.
A bridge rectifier is an electronic component that converts AC current into DC current, and comprises of 4 diodes in specific orientations to ensure the output current only flows in one direction regardless of which way the input is flowing at any given time.
Since the flow of electricity is difficult to visualise in the real world, explanations of how bridge rectifiers work are best suited to diagrams and videos, but this project is intended to provide a physical object for ease of understanding the concept.
Supplies:
- Approx. 1m x 0.5m of plywood / MDF (9-18mm ideally)
- Circular saw (Though still possible with a hand saw)
- Drill and spade bits
- Wood glue
- 1m length of 16mm OD, 10mm ID tubing
- 4x 3-way 16mm OD connectors
- 4x one-way valves (Check valves)
- 2x syringes
- 4x 10mm hosetail connectors with 1/4” BSP thread
- Flow indicator with 1/4” BSP threads”