Electroplating rectifier is the key equipment in electroplating process, and its main function is to convert AC power to DC power. According to the technology and working principle, electroplating rectifiers can be divided into various types, each type has its advantages and disadvantages. The following are common types and their advantages and disadvantages are analysed:
Types of Plating Rectifiers and Pros and Cons
Author: Robby
Electroplating rectifier is the key equipment in electroplating process, and its main function is to convert AC power to DC power. According to the technology and working principle, electroplating rectifiers can be divided into various types, each type has its advantages and disadvantages. The following are common types and their advantages and disadvantages are analysed:
1. Silicon Rectifier (Diode Rectifier)
Working Principle: Converts AC to DC using silicon diodes.
Advantages:
Simple structure, low cost.
High reliability and easy maintenance.
Suitable for general electroplating process.
Disadvantages:
Lower efficiency, higher energy consumption.
Larger volume, occupies more space.
Lower precision of output current and voltage adjustment.
Applicable scenarios: ordinary electroplating, occasions that do not require high precision.
2. Thyristor rectifier (silicon controlled rectifier)
Working principle: Adjust the output voltage and current by controlling the conduction angle of thyristor.
Advantages:
Output current and voltage can be precisely adjusted.
Higher efficiency, energy saving effect is better.
Suitable for high current, high power occasions.
Disadvantages:
Higher cost.
Higher requirements on control circuit, complicated maintenance.
May produce harmonic interference, need additional filtering.
Applicable scenarios: high-power plating, hard chrome plating, etc.
3. High frequency switching power supply
Working Principle: Convert AC power to DC power through high frequency switching technology.
Advantages:
High efficiency, energy saving effect is remarkable.
Small size, light weight, space saving.
High output stability and high regulation precision.
Can achieve constant voltage, constant current control, suitable for precision plating.
Disadvantages:
Higher cost.
High requirements on circuit design and components, complicated maintenance.
May produce electromagnetic interference, need to take shielding measures.
Applicable scenarios: precision plating, precious metal plating, occasions requiring high current stability.
4. Pulse rectifier
Working principle: output pulse current, control the plating process by adjusting the pulse frequency and duty cycle.
Advantages:
It can improve the plating quality, uniformity and denseness of the plating layer.
Suitable for special plating process, such as pulse plating.
Energy saving effect is better.
Disadvantages:
High cost, complex technology.
Strict requirements on process parameters, difficult to operate.
Applicable scenarios: high-end plating, special plating requirements (such as high wear-resistant, highly conductive plating).
5. IGBT rectifier
Working Principle: Adopting Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) technology to achieve high efficiency electrical energy conversion.
Advantages:
High efficiency and significant energy saving.
Good output stability and high regulation accuracy.
Suitable for high-power and high-precision occasions.
Disadvantages:
Higher cost.
High requirements for heat dissipation and circuit design.
Applicable scenarios: high-power plating, high-precision plating.
6 Linear Rectifier
Working principle: control the output voltage and current by linear regulation.
Advantages:
Small output ripple, high stability.
Suitable for plating processes that are sensitive to current fluctuations.
Disadvantages:
Low efficiency, high energy consumption.
Large volume, high heat dissipation requirements.
Applicable scenarios: laboratory or small-scale plating.
Summary Comparison
Silicon rectifier Low cost, simple structure, high reliability Low efficiency, large volume, low regulation accuracy General plating
Thyristor rectifier High regulation accuracy, suitable for high power High cost, complicated maintenance, may generate harmonics High power plating
High-frequency switching power supply High efficiency, small size, high regulation accuracy High cost, complicated maintenance, possible electromagnetic interference Precision plating, precious metal plating
Pulse rectifiers High plating quality, suitable for special processes High cost, complex operation High-end plating, special plating needs
IGBT rectifier High efficiency, good stability, suitable for high power and high precision High cost, high heat dissipation requirements High power plating, high precision plating
Linear rectifiers High output stability, low ripple Low efficiency, large size, high energy consumption Laboratory or small-scale plating
Recommendations
General plating: silicon rectifier or thyristor rectifier.
Precision plating: high frequency switching power supply or IGBT rectifier.
Special process: pulse rectifier.
Laboratory or small scale: linear rectifier.
Select the right type of rectifier according to specific process requirements, budget and equipment performance.