An early type of high-power electrical rectifier that utilized a pool of liquid mercury as a cathode. An electrical arc struck inside the evacuated chamber allowed current to flow in only one direction, effectively rectifying the AC supply. These glowing, often massive devices were the backbone of early high-voltage DC transmission and railway traction networks before being entirely replaced by solid-state thyristors.
The substation museum has a massive six-pulse mercury arc rectifier that used to power the city tram network.
Also heard as
- mercury vapor rectifier
Related terms
Rotary converter
An early electromechanical machine used to convert alternating current to direct current.
Cycloconverter
A solid-state device that directly converts alternating current at one frequency to a lower frequency.
Commutate
To reverse the direction of electric current in a specific winding or circuit branch.