Homework, for those following along, was to build a bridge rectifier and probe the signals ... capacitor to the DC connections to smooth the output. This cap is both under and over spec’d ...

A transformer is usually used to change the voltage levels and to provide safety isolation between the mains supply and your circuit. The three common rectifier configurations are shown in Fig. 5.4.1.

Several circuits are available ... so that the polarity across the DC output remains constant. Depending on your application you may benefit from any of the aforementioned circuitries. Single diodes ...