Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab LAB 3
Lab Session 3
Name: ____________________ Participant ID: __________________
Study and Implementation of Full-Wave Rectification
3.1 Objectives
The objective of this lab is to calculate, measure and draw the DC output voltages of full-wave rectifier circuit.
3.2 Equipment Required
Instruments
Oscilloscope, DMM, Function generator
Components
2.2kΩ, 1N4007
3.3 Theory
The primary function of full-wave rectification systems is to establish a DC level from a sinusoidal input
signal that has zero average (DC) level. The full-wave rectified signal of Fig. 3.1 has twice the average or DC
level of the half-wave signal, or 63.6% of the peak value V m.
V DC =0.636 ×V p
For large sinusoidal inputs ( m>> T ) the forward-biased transition voltage V T of a diode can be ignored.
V V
However, for situations when the peak value of the sinusoidal signal is not that much greater than V T , V T can
have a noticeable effect on V DC. For large sinusoidal inputs (V m>> V T ) the forward-biased transition voltage V T
of a diode can be ignored. However, for situations when the peak value of the sinusoidal signal is not that much
greater than V T , V T can have a noticeable effect on V DC.
Fig. 3. 1 Full wave rectified signal
In rectification systems the peak inverse voltage (PIV) must be considered carefully. The PIV voltage is the
maximum reverse-bias voltage that a diode can handle before entering the Zener breakdown region. For typical
single-diode half-wave rectification systems, the required PIV level is equal to the peak value of the applied
sinusoidal signal.
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Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab LAB 3
3.4 Procedure
Part 1: Threshold voltage
Choose one of the four silicon diodes and determine the threshold voltage, V T , using the diode-checking
capability of the DMM or a curve tracer.
V T =¿ ¿
Part 2: Full wave Bridge Rectifier
Construct the full-wave bridge rectifier of fig.3.2. Be sure that the diodes are inserted correctly and that
the grounding is as shown.
Rmeas = ¿ ¿
¿
Fig. 3. 2 Full wave bridge rectifier circuit
Attach the snapshot of waveform obtained by full wave rectifier circuit.
Calculate the DC level of the full-wave rectified signal.
V DC(cal) =¿ ¿
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Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab LAB 3
Find the percentage difference between the measured value and the calculated value of V DC .
(V DC (cal )−V DC (meas))
% difference= ×100 eq (1)
V DC ( cal)
V DC(meas) =¿ ¿
% diff =¿ ¿
Replace diodes D3 and D4 by 2.2 kΩ resistors and attach the waveform obtained by the oscilloscope.
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Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab LAB 3
Explanation and Results
Questions
Q1: In full-wave rectification, what are the major differences between 4-diode bridge
connection and replacing 2 of them with resistors?
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Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab LAB 3
Q2: What are the types of full bridge rectifier?
Q3: How many diodes are forward biased in full bridge rectifier during half-cycle?
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