Ubiquity of DC-compatible Equipment Expands Rectifiers Market

Rectifiers are key devices in the electronics industry, widely used in equipment that run on DC power sourced from an AC supply. They are needed in the power supplies of residential, commercial and industrial electronic and electrical equipment. Home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and dryers, water heaters, ovens and dishwashers are included. LED lamps also require a rectifier, as do vehicles in their DC power supplies and transmission systems.

In recent years, these discrete components have found increasing use in “high-frequency rectification and improved energy efficiency in consumer electronics like laptops, smartphones and PCs,” according to Precedence Research. The rising adoption of automotive electronics is also a demand driver, along with product categories such as charging stations and transformers spawned by electric cars. In its latest report, the market research and consulting organization forecasts rectifiers will realize a CAGR of 10.94 percent between 2023 and 2032.

China’s repositioning bid

With the widespread electronics miniaturization trend, demand for SMD rectifiers is on the rise. In China, component manufacturers continue to offer DIP types but have been boosting their shipments of SMD units. Dongguan Lechen Electronics Co. Ltd and Yangzhou Positioning Tech Co. Ltd, both interviewed by Global Sources, have introduced surface-mount rectifiers.

Yangzhou Positioning’s recent SMD releases are high-power rectifiers for industrial use. The supplier hopes to benefit from the industrial rectifiers market, which will reach $770 million by 2028 at 4 percent CAGR from 2021 based on QY Research’s forecast.

Chinese suppliers are also working to upgrade their selections from predominantly entry-level and midrange to midrange and high-end components to keep up with advancements in application products.

Some are building new factories or introducing advanced manufacturing equipment. Yunyi Electric, a leading automotive rectifier maker, recently announced that it is investing $94.58 million in a new research and production base in Xuzhou, Jiangsu. The project will realize a total turnover of up to $91.67 million once mass production commences in 2024.

Rectifiers from China

Rectifiers in SMD and DIP packages can be sourced in China, with the former representing more than half of shipments. They include Schottky barrier, fast-recovery, general-purpose and bridge rectifiers.

Those in SOD-123, SOD-323, SOD-523, SMA, SMB, SMC, SMAF, SMBF, MBF, MBS, ABS and ABF packages are widely available. They are used in consumer electronics, computers, and communications, automotive and industrial applications.

Most Chinese suppliers accept customization projects, products based on which currently represent 20 to 50 percent of their shipments. Their rectifiers are CE-approved, UL-listed and RoHS-compliant.