TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE MORE
COURSE NAME: ELECTRONIC DEVICES LAB
EXPERIMENT NAME: STUDY OF DIODE RECTIFIERS
NOTES BY
Nishat Tasnim Ema
Title: Study of Diode Rectifiers
Abstract:
This lab is about understanding how diodes work in rectifier circuits to change AC
(alternating current) into DC (direct current). We will focus on two types of rectifiers half-
wave and full-wave and see how they do this conversion. Rectifiers are important because
they make AC power usable in DC form for many electronic devices. We will start by
setting up half-wave and full-wave rectifier circuits and observing how they work. By
measuring things like output voltage and ripple, we will learn about the efficiency and
stability of each type. We’ll also use a simulator to predict how the circuits will behave
before building them. By comparing the simulated results with real-world measurements,
we can see how well theory matches practice. This process will help us better understand
rectifiers, their strengths and weaknesses, and their role in electronic systems.
Introduction:
Objectives: Study of half wave and full wave rectifiers.
Theory And Methodology:
A diode rectifies an AC voltage so that it can be smoothed and converted into a DC voltage.
A rectifier, however, can produce a constant or variable DC voltage. A diode rectifier can
produce a fixed DC voltage whereas an SCR can produce a variable DC voltage. Diode
rectifiers are of the following types:
• Half-wave rectifier.
• Full-wave bridge rectifier.
• Center-tapped Full-wave rectifier.
A rectifier, however, cannot produce a smooth DC voltage. So, the rectification block that
makes the output DC voltage a smooth one follows a filter circuit. In this case, the capacitor
acts as a smoothing filter so that the output is nearly a DC voltage. The filtering is not
perfect; there will be a remaining voltage fluctuation known as a ripple, on the output
voltage. The half-wave voltage signal is normally established by a network with a single
diode that has an average or equivalent DC voltage level equal to 31.8% of the peak voltage,
whereas the full-wave rectified signal has twice the average or DC level of the half-wave
signal, or 63.6% of the peak value.
Working Principle of Half-Wave Rectifier:
A half cycle of the applied AC voltage is all that is used in a half wave rectifier. There is
no need for a second negative half-cycle of AC voltage. There is only one diode, and it
conducts only during positive cycles. The following diagram depicts a half wave rectifier's
circuit without a capacitor.
In a half-wave rectifier, only half a cycle of applied AC voltage is used. Another half cycle
of AC voltage (negative cycle) is not used. Only one diode is used which conducts during
the positive cycle. The circuit diagram of a half-wave rectifier without a capacitor is shown
in Fig. 1.
During the positive half cycle of the input voltage anode of the diode is positive compared
with the cathode. The diode is in forward bias and current passes through the diode and a
positive cycle develops across the load resistance R as shown in Fig. 1 (a). During the
negative half cycle of input voltage, the anode is negative with respect to the cathode
and the diode is in reverse bias. No current passes through the diode and hence
the output voltage is zero across the load resistance R as shown in Fig. 1 (b).
The complete wave shape for two cycles is shown in Fig. 2. The average value
of the half-wave rectified voltage signal over a full period (T) is given by
Working Principle of Full-Wave rectifier:
The Bridge rectifier is a circuit, which converts an ac voltage to dc voltage using both half
cycles of the input ac voltage. The Bridge rectifier circuit is shown in the following figure.
The circuit has four diodes connected to form a bridge. The ac input voltage is applied to
the diagonally opposite bridge ends. The load resistance is connected between the other
two ends of the bridge. For the positive half cycle of the input ac voltage, diodes D1 and
D2 conduct, whereas diodes D3 and D4 remain in the OFF state. The conducting diodes
will be in series with the load resistance RL and hence the load current flows through RL.
For the negative half cycle of the input ac voltage, diodes D3 and D4 conduct whereas, D1
and D2 remain OFF. The conducting diodes D3 and D4 will be in series with the load
resistance RL and hence the current flows through RL in the same direction as in the
previous half cycle. Thus a bi-directional wave is converted into a unidirectional wave.
Working Principle of Center Trapped Full-Wave rectifier:
A center tapped rectifier is a type of full wave rectifier that uses two diodes connected to
the secondary of a center tapped transformer, as shown in below diagram. The input
voltage is coupled through the transformer to the center-tapped secondary. Half of the total
secondary voltage appears between the center tap and each end of the secondary winding
as shown.
During the positive half-cycle of vi applied to the primary of the transformer, the network
will appear as shown in Figure with a positive pulse across each section of the secondary
coil. D1 assumes the short-circuit equivalent and D2 the open-circuit equivalent, as
determined by the secondary voltages and the resulting current directions. The output
voltage appears as shown in Fig: Network condition for the positive region of vi.
Figure: Network condition for the positive region of vi.
During the negative half-cycle of vi applied to the primary of the transformer, the network
will appear as shown in Figure with a positive pulse across each section of the secondary
coil. D2 assumes the short-circuit equivalent and D1 the open-circuit equivalent, as
determined by the secondary voltages and the resulting current directions. The output
voltage appears as shown in Fig: Network conditions for the negative region of vi.
Figure: Network conditions for the negative region of vi.
Precaution:
• A diode should never be removed or inserted into a circuit with voltage applied.
• 2. It should be ensured that a replacement diode is inserted into the circuit in the
correct direction. The correct connection of the transformer should be ensured.
Apparatus:
No. Name Quantity
1 Diode 4
2 10k Resistance 1
3 Project Board 1
4 Oscilloscope 1
5 Capacitor 2
7 Multimeter 1
8 Transformer 1
9 Chord 2
Circuit Diagram:
Experimental Procedure:
• The circuit was connected shown in the figure – 1 but without the capacitor.
• The oscilloscope was connected to observe the wave shapes of the input and output
voltages. The peak DC voltage from the oscilloscope were measured.
• The output voltage by Multimeter were measured and compared with the
oscilloscope values.
• The power supply was then turned off and a 47μF capacitor across the load was
connected. Also the output voltage was then measured with both multimeter and
oscilloscope.
• The output voltage with a Multimeter was measured and compared with the value
from oscilloscope.
• Again the power supply was switched off again and a 100uF capacitor was
connected. 7. Procedure 4 and 5 was then repeated for necessary measurements
• Procedure 1 through 7 for circuits in figure 2 and 3 was repeat as well.
Component Implementation:
Experimental Data:
Table 1: Data Table for circuit of Figure – 1
Vo (Oscilloscope) (V) Vo (Multimeter) (V)
No Capacitance 14.8 5.87
47μF 14.4 16.8
100 μF 14.6 16.39
Table 2: Data Table for circuit of Figure – 2
Vo (Oscilloscope) (V) Vo (Multimeter) (V)
No Capacitance 10.7 8.45
47μF 10..5 13.31
100 μF 10.35 12.67
Table 3: Data Table for circuit of Figure -3
Vo (Oscilloscope) (V) Vo (Multimeter) (V)
No Capacitance 14.7 7.84
47μF 14.25 14.67
100 μF 14.11 14.66
Simulations:
XSC1
Ext Trig
+
_
A B
+ _ + _
D1 D2
1N4007 1N4007
V1 T1 R1
220Vrms 10kΩ
50Hz
0° D3 D4
10:1
1N4007 1N4007
XMM1 XSC1
Ext Trig
+
_
A B
+ _ + _
D1
1N4007
V1 T1
220Vrms R1
50Hz C1
10kΩ
0° 47µF
10:1
XSC1
Ext Trig
+
_
A B
+ _ + _
D1 D2
1N4007 1N4007
V1 T1 R1
C1
220Vrms 10kΩ
50Hz 47µF
0° D3 D4
10:1
1N4007 1N4007
XSC1
D1
Ext Trig
V1 T1 1BH62 +
_
220Vrms
R1 A B
60Hz + _ + _
0°
10:1 10kΩ
D2 C1
47µF
1BH62
Questions & Answers:
1. Draw all the observed wave shapes?
Answer: All the observed wave shapes are given below:
2. What are the effects and significance of using filter capacitance?
Answer: Applying capacitor to the output make the output voltage greater
compared to- no capacitor in the output. Capacitor took the peak output voltage and
store it for a millisecond as long as another ripple comes from the output, in that
case the voltage became stable and also increased.
3. What is the minimum PIV for the diodes used in circuit 2 & 3?
Answer: PIV means peak inverse voltage which must be greater than input peak
inverse voltage. Otherwise, rectifier diodes will burn out. In circuit 2 and 3 in both
cases diode must have PIV of greater than peak input voltage which can be
calculated by the following method: Vpeak= Vrms/0.707 = 6/0.707= 8.4865 [
Vpeak less than or equal to PIV] So, PIV of diodes in circuit of figure 4 and 5 must
be greater than 8.4865v [theoretically]
4. Why circuit 2 is better than the circuit in figure 3?
Answer: First of all, full wave rectification is better than full wave center trapped
rectification because the efficiency in conversion is better in full wave rectification
circuit. In center trapped transformer only half of the coil at a time can deliver
power for the rectification and another will be in reverse bias condition. On the
other hand, in full wave rectification circuit no transformer coil will be remain
unused. So, it can be state that circuit 2 is better than the circuit in figure 3.
Discussion:
In this experiment working principle of rectifier diodes was learned. In half wave
rectification only the positive ac peak voltage converted into dc. So that, the output direct
current was not as good as full wave rectification. In full wave rectification the out was
better because it can take both positive and negative peak. Also, the center trapped type
rectification was learn in this experiment which has less conversion rate. Because one of
the coils must be in reverse bias during the another one in process. The electrolyte capacitor
was also used in this experiment. Because capacitor can store the peak the voltage and
output its power when needed. By using capacitor, it was noticeably visible to the
oscilloscope that the output direct current was far better compared to no use of capacitor.
Reference(s):
[1] Adel S. Sedra, Kennth C. Smith, “Microelectronic Circuits”, Saunders College
Publishing, 3rd ed., ISBN: 0-03-051648-X, 1991.
[2] David J. Comer, Donald T. Comer, Fundamentals of Electronic Circuit Design, John
Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd.; ISBN: 0471410160, 2002.
[3] American International University–Bangladesh (AIUB) Electronic Devices Lab
Manual.
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