Meaning of mercury arc rectifier | Babel Free

Definitions

A rectifier which converts alternating current to direct current, using a cathode tube with a pool of liquid mercury. Now superseded by solid-state rectifiers.

Examples

“The secondary winding is laid in four coils, one on top of the other, with oil passages round the laminated-steel core; its 2,770V a.c. output is converted to 1,970V d.c. by four air-cooled mercury arc rectifiers, which feed each pair of 975V traction motors through a smoothing choke.”

“Additionally, semi-conductor rectifiers are far more economical of space, with the result that there is room in the Doncaster-built locomotives employing them for rheostatic braking apparatus within the weight and dimensions previously needed for mercury-arc rectifiers.”

CEFR level