Experiment No.
: 04
Experiment Date: 05-11-2024
Name of Experiment: Half-Wave Rectifier Using a Diode.
Theory:
A half-wave rectifier is the simplest type of rectifier, which allows only one-half cycle of the
input AC signal to pass through while blocking the other half, thus producing a pulsating DC
output . Key Components in the Circuit:
1. Diode: A semiconductor device that allows current to flow in only one direction. When
the input signal is positive, the diode becomes forward-biased and conducts; when
negative, it becomes reverse-biased and blocks current.
2. Load Resistor : Converts the current into voltage for the external load.
3. Capacitor (Optional): Acts as a filter, reducing ripples in the rectified output and
making it smoother.
Working Principle of a Half-Wave Rectifier:
1. Without Capacitor:
○ During the positive half-cycle of the input AC voltage, the diode becomes
forward-biased and allows current to flow through the load resistor. This creates
a voltage drop across the load, generating a pulsating DC output.
○ During the negative half-cycle, the diode becomes reverse-biased, blocking
current flow and resulting in zero output.
○ The output waveform observed on the oscilloscope will show only the positive
half-cycles of the AC signal.
2. With Capacitor:
○ Adding a capacitor in parallel to the load resistor improves the DC output. The
capacitor charges during the conduction phase (positive half-cycle) and
discharges during the non-conduction phase (negative half-cycle), thus
smoothing the output waveform.
○ Larger capacitor values provide better filtering and smoother output due to
reduced ripples, but may introduce a delay in response due to higher charging
time.
Key Parameters:
● Peak Voltage : The maximum voltage reached during each half-cycle.
● Ripple Factor: A measure of the AC component present in the output DC voltage. A
lower ripple factor indicates better filtering.
Name of Apparatus:
Sl. No Name of Apparatus Quantity
1 Diode 4
2 Resistor (1kΩ) 1
3 Multimeter 1
4 Oscilloscope 1
5 Capacitor 2
6 Transformer 1
Circuit Diagram:
Experimental Data Table:
Setup Oscilloscope Output Multimeter Output
Without Capacitor 9.2 5.8 V
With 10 µF Capacitor 6.9 V 11.0
With 47 µF Capacitor 4.84 V 10.0
Discussion:
● The diode's forward voltage drop reduces the peak output voltage.
● The efficiency of the half-wave rectifier is limited, typically around 40.6%.
● Adding a capacitor filter can improve the output by reducing ripples, yielding smoother
DC voltage.
Conclusion:
The half-wave rectifier converts AC to DC but allows only one half-cycle of the input signal
to pass. The output is not smooth DC and contains significant ripples, making it less efficient
than a full-wave rectifier. Observations align with theoretical values, validating the working
principle of a half-wave rectifier.
