David P Harris wrote:
> Well, if we can do this then can we also discard the transformer, pass
> the reduced voltage AC through a full-wave rectifier and get controlled
> DC?

No.  The "reduced voltage AC" is only reduced in its average, not its peak.
A rectifier will ride the peaks.  The chopping method was partly relying on
time constants in the transformer to average out the input, and partly on
the final load reacting slowly to RMS voltage anyway (it's a heating
element).


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