NAME: Abdul-Hamid Opeoluwa Arowona

MATRIC NUMBER: 23120211035

GROUP NUMBER: 9
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: DR. NORBERT EDOMAH
DATE: Tuesday, June 4th, 2024.

Full Wave Rectification

Introduction
A circuit that changes alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC) is called a full-wave
rectifier. Two diodes, semiconductor components that only permit current to travel in one
direction, are used to accomplish this. A full-wave rectifier produces a pulsing DC output
signal when an AC signal is supplied because the diodes allow both the positive and negative
half-cycles of the signal to pass through. Full-wave rectifiers are more efficient than half-
wave rectifiers and produce a smoother DC output with lower ripple.
The top diode conducts while the bottom diode does not when the input voltage is positive.
As a result, the output receives the positive half-cycle of the input voltage. The bottom
diode conducts while the top diode does not when the input voltage is negative. This
enables the input voltage's negative half-cycle to transfer to the output. A full-wave
rectifier's output voltage is equal to the peak input voltage less the forward voltage drop of
the diodes. A diode generally has a forward voltage drop of 0.7V.
The amount of AC voltage in a full-wave rectifier's output DC signal is known as the ripple
voltage. Because the diodes only let the positive and negative half-cycles of the AC signal
pass through, this problem is brought on. The use of a capacitor in addition to the diodes
helps lower the ripple voltage. When the diodes are not conducting, the capacitor will
release energy during the positive and negative half-cycles of the AC signal. The ripple
voltage will be decreased and the output DC signal will be smoothed.

Aim
To observe the operation and characteristics of a full wave rectifier circuit
Materials:
• CRO (Cathode Ray Oscilloscope)
• Mains step-down transformer 240v-12v
• Four silicon power diodes
• 33uF capacitors
• 10uF capacitor
• Resistors; 270, 1k, 2k2, 3k3, 4k7, 6k8, 10k.
• Multi-meter
• Breadboard

Procedure
The rectifier circuit in Figure 1.0 was set up on a breadboard. The primary side of the step-
down transformer was connected to the AC mains and the secondary side to the
breadboard. The AC input voltage waveform, VS was measured and sketched and the
waveform was fully labeled, indicating the peak values, periodic time, and frequency. The
circuit was then disconnected by opening links A and B, and the voltage waveform across
the load resistor VL was sketched to illustrate the 0V and peak values, periodic time, and
frequency. The circuit was then reconnected by closing links A and B, and voltage
measurements and waveform sketches of VL were taken to focus on the DC levels and ripple
voltage. The load resistor was sequentially changed in steps from 10kΩ to 4.7kΩ, 3.3kΩ,
6.8kΩ, 2.2kΩ, and 1kΩ. For each load resistor value, measurements were recorded for the
ripple voltage and output voltage. A graph was plotted to illustrate the relationship between
the ripple voltage and load current IL as well as the DC output voltage and load current IL.

Figure 1.0: Rectifier Circuit Setup.

Results

Figure 2.0: Fully rectified Waveform.

Figure 3.0: Waveform with links A and B open.

 Figure 4.0: VL and Peak values.

Figure 5.0: VL with links A and B closed and RL =10K Ω.

 Table 1.0: Ripple Voltage and Load Current.
Resistance (Ω) IL (mA) DC voltage (V) Ripple Voltage (V)
10k 1.44 14.2 0.339
4.7k 3.15 14.7 0.368
3.3k 4.31 14.2 0.472
6.8k 2.25 15.5 0.252
2.2k 6.14 13.6 0.616
1k 11.36 11.43 1.64

Figure 6.0: Graph of Ripple Voltage against Current.

 Figure 7.0: Graph of DC Voltage against current.

Discussion
The When the diode D1 is open-circuited, the circuit no longer functions as a full-wave
rectifier. Instead, it would operate as a half-wave rectifier. In this case D1 blocks the flow of
current in the link A and 270Ω resistor, thereby only allowing the circuit to rectify the
negative half-cycle of the input AC signal. The output voltage was reduced by half as the
circuit could not utilize the full input voltage. The ripple voltage of the output signal
increased as AC components passed through the output as a result of D1 being open-
circuited. A fault like this may cause the circuit to overheat and fail. Hence, it is highly
advised to repair or replace the open-circuited diode as soon as possible.
When the diode D3 is short-circuited, the circuit no longer functions as a full-wave rectifier.
Instead, it would operate as a half-wave rectifier and D3 acts like a load. In this case D3
allows the flow of current through the link A and 270Ω resistor, and also back to the
transformer and ground, thereby only allowing the circuit to rectify the positive half-cycle of
the input AC signal as it can’t rectify both. The output voltage was reduced by half as the
circuit could not utilize the full input voltage. The ripple voltage of the output signal
increased as AC components passed through the output as a result of D3 being short-
circuited. A fault like this may cause the circuit to overheat and fail due to increased current
draw from the power supply. Hence, it is highly advised to repair or replace the short-
circuited diode as soon as possible.
The result of Capacitor C1 being open-circuited is a less smoothened rectified voltage and
more ripples as more AC component flow through the open-circuited capacitor.
A full-wave rectifier converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) using two
diodes. This produces a pulsing DC output signal when an AC signal is supplied, as the
diodes allow both the positive and negative half-cycles of the signal to pass through. Full-
wave rectifiers are more effective than half-wave rectifiers, which only let the positive half-
cycles pass through.
A brief explanation of the circuit in the methods section can be found below;
Step-Down Transformer: A step-down transformer is connected to the 240V AC input
voltage. The voltage is lowered by the transformer to a more tolerable level, like 12V. For
the protection of the circuit and the load, the transformer ensures isolation and voltage
reduction.
Silicon Diodes: A full wave rectifier is made up of four silicon diodes coupled in a bridge
arrangement. The diodes let the flow of electricity in one direction while obstructing it in
the other. The output voltage is kept positive by them.
Rectification: The bridge rectifier design makes sure that current flows through the load in
the same direction throughout both half of the AC cycle when the AC voltage is supplied
across the transformer. As a consequence, the input waveform is fully rectified, with the
positive and negative halves being changed into positive half-wave pulses at the output.
Capacitors: The load resistor is connected in parallel to the two capacitors, one of which has
a capacitance of 33 microfarads and the other of which has a capacitance of 10µF. To
eliminate ripple and smooth down the oscillating DC power, capacitors are utilized.
Series Resistor: Between the two capacitors is a series resistor with a resistance of 270
ohms. When the circuit is switched off, it aids in discharging the capacitors by serving as a
current-limiting resistor. It also contributes to the output voltage's averaging.
Load Resistor: The component or device that makes use of the rectified DC voltage is
represented by the load resistor, which has a resistance of 10 kilo-ohms. Any object
requiring a DC power source, such as a light bulb, an electrical circuit, or a computer, might
be it.

Some Applications of the full wave rectifier circuit include;

Power supplies: In order to convert AC power from the wall socket to DC electricity that
may be utilized to power electronic equipment, full-wave rectifiers are employed in power
supplies.
Amplifiers: To transform AC signals from microphones and other sources into DC signals
that may be amplified, full-wave rectifiers are employed in amplifiers.
Solar cells: To convert the DC power generated by the cells into AC electricity that may be
utilized to power electronic equipment or be fed into the electrical grid, full-wave rectifiers
are employed in solar cells.
Some Limitations of the full-wave rectifier circuit include;
A minor AC component called a ripple voltage, which is superimposed over the DC output,
may be seen at the full-wave rectifier's output. By filtering the output signal using a
capacitor, the ripple voltage may be minimized.
Efficiency: Full-wave rectifiers don't operate at 100% efficiency, which results in some input
power being wasted as heat. A full-wave rectifier's efficiency may be increased by utilizing
premium capacitors and diodes.
Cost: Full-wave rectifier circuits cost more than half-wave rectifier circuits because more
components are required to achieve full rectification of the AC input voltage to D.C. They
include diodes, capacitors, and resistors.
Load regulation is a measure of how well a power supply maintains its output voltage when
the load is changed. In the full bridge rectification circuit in the methods section, the output
voltage is calculated as;
Vout = Vin – Vdiode
Where: Vin is the input voltage and Vdiode is the voltage drop across the diodes
A standard silicon diode has a voltage drop of approximately 0.7V, hence, Vdiode = 0.7V.
Vin = 12V
Vout = 12V – 0.7V = 11.3V
change in d. c output voltage
Load Regulation = × 100%
d. c output under no load condition

At no Load;
ΔVout = 11.3V -11.3V = 0V, hence, Load Regulation = 0%
At a Load of 1000Ω and tolerance of ±5%;
When load resistance increases by 50Ω, Load becomes 1050Ω, Vout was gotten as 11.43V
and the load current as 11.35mA.
When the load resistance decreases by 50Ω, Load becomes 950Ω, Vout was gotten as 11.43V
and the load current as 11.37Ma.
Load Regulation at load of 1000Ω becomes;
11.43 − 11.43
× 100% = 0%
11.39 − 11.33

Conclusion
The experiment successfully demonstrated the full-wave rectification process using a bridge
rectifier on a breadboard. The results confirmed the expected behavior of the diodes in
converting an AC signal into a more continuous DC signal. Understanding this process is
essential for designing and analyzing power supplies and rectifier circuits.

References
Bird, J. (n.d.). Electrical and electronic principles and technology. Routledge.

Atkins, M. (2020). Full-wave rectifier circuits. In Electronic circuits: A practical approach

(pp. 157-166). CRC Press.

Boylestad, R. L., & Nashelsky, L. M. (2018). Electronic devices and circuits (12th ed.).
Pearson.

Hayt, W. H., Jr., & Kemmerly, J. E. (2019). Engineering circuit analysis (10th ed.). McGraw-
Hill Education.