American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Practice Exam

In three-phase equipment utilizing full-wave rectification, the output voltage is derived from the combined peaks of the three-phase sinusoidal waves. Each phase has a frequency that contributes to the total output frequency, causing the rectified output to produce one full cycle for every cycle of the input.

In a three-phase system, full-wave rectification allows all three phases to contribute to the output. Since each phase provides voltage in a 360-degree cycle, the full-wave rectified current effectively ensures that every degree of 360 is utilized in the output. This means that as the three phases cycle together, they form a continuous and smooth output of 360 degrees in one second for a frequency typically measured in Hertz (Hz).

Therefore, for full-wave rectified current in three-phase equipment, the total output is represented as 360 degrees of arc per second, matching the cycles produced by the input phases. This illustrates the fundamental principle of how three-phase systems operate in terms of rectification and output production.