Peak Inverse Voltage

By the ideal diode model, the PIV of each of diode in the bridge rectifier is equivalent to V₂.This is the similar voltage which was applied to the diode in the full-wave centre-tapped rectifier. Following diagram helps us to demonstrate this point. In diagram a below, two things have been done:

 (A) The conducting diodes (D₁ & D₃ ) have been replaced by straight wires. Supposing that the diode is ideal they shall have the similar resistance as wire; so replacement is valid.

 (B) The positive side of the secondary has been labelled as A  & the negative side has been labelled as B.

Linking the common A point with a straight line & doing the similar with B points provides us the circuit indicated in the diagram b. With the correspondent circuit, you might see that two reverse biased diodes & secondary winding of the transformer are all in parallel. As parallel voltages are equivalent, the PIV across each of diode is equivalent to V₂.The similar situation will present for D₁ & D₃ while they are reverse-biased.