Rectifying bridge.

While I am not an expert in this field, I don't know of any advantage to such a modification, unless you plan on increasing the rail voltages for some reason. Perhaps someone else can help you that knows more about it than I do. Generally, a diode bridge will yield about a 15% higher DC voltage out, than the AC voltage in. A fully regulated circuit in typically preferred over a rectifier. That is about all the theory I know on the subject. I am assuming you are talking about its use in some kind of amplifier.

...confounded bridge...

The peak DC output voltage of a bridge rectifier is proportional to the amplitude of the AC voltage it is fed. The AC voltage is determined by the winding ratio of the power transformer. To increase the DC voltage would require replacing the power transformer.

The DC voltage is equal to the peak of the AC voltage minus about .7 volts that is dropped across the rectifying diode. The peak of the AC voltage is the RMS value divided by .707, which is about 15% more than the RMS as TWL stated.

Unless you really, really, really know what you are doing, it would most likely result in a lot of smoke. With all due respect, by the sound of your question I don't think it is something you would want to try without doing a lot more studying about electronic theory.

Bridge rectifiers are rated for the amount of current they can handle, not the voltage.

I agree with everything that Herman had to say other than bridges ( which are four diodes in a specific arrangement ) ARE rated for various voltage and current levels. Like anything else, one should always allow a reasonable amount of headroom if you want the parts to last.

I would think that you would gain more from going to a fast recovery type diode than you would by staying with the same type and simply increasing the voltage rating. If you are going to poke around in there, BE CAREFUL. Sean
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