Paul E. Cater wrote:
------A total SNIP of everything and on to a better idea.-------


Consider using avalanche rectifiers and it makes all the stuff about the
caps and resistors a mute point. There are some good application notes
out there on this subject and the whys and wherefores of it all.

For your needs the BYM36E might be a good choice. At around 30 cents a
piece hard to beat.


http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/Sea...61EC8009E6617F

Best of luck in your project!

Regards,
Paul


GregS wrote:
I am having some difficulty finding a bridge rectifier of 3 Kv and 3
amps.

??

thanks
greg
N6GS

I perused the datasheets of both the BYM36E and 1N5408. Of the
specifications that could matter (that differed):

Reverse Current:
1N5408 = 5uA @ 25°C Ta, 500uA @ 100°C Ta
BYM36E = 5uA @ 25°C Tj, 100uA @ 150°C Tj

Reverse Recovery Time:
1N5408 = Not Rated
BYM36E = 150ns

Nonrepetitive Peak Forward Surge Current:
1N5408 = 200A
BYM36E = 65A

While the BYM36E shows better Reverse Current figures at elevated
temperature (and the measurement point isn't the same), I think it unlikely
that the OP is going to operate them at such temperatures. Considering the
application is 50/60Hz (Period = 20/16.6 ms), Reverse Recovery Time is not a
factor. However, when it comes to Nonrepetitive Peak Forward Surge Current,
the 1N5408 is clearly better. Allied shows 23 hits for 1N5408, the least
expensive being $0.092 each in 1-24 piece lots (stk #568-0554).

Bryan