A FULL WAVE RECTIFIER

Aim:
To construct a full wave rectifier and show that the Alternating
Components are rectified into a direct current.
Introduction:
A full wave rectifier is a device which is used to rectify all the alternating
current components in an alternating supply and make it purely a direct
current. The two alternating halves of an alternation current are rectified in a
full wave rectifier which is an advantage over a half wave rectifier. Most
electronic devices cannot withstand very high voltage or alternating current
due to its intense high power. The use of batteries in all devices is not
practical as their replacement and durability is a huge problem as the device
has to be dismantled each time for such a replacement. So these rectifiers are
used in most of the electronic devices like TVs, Radios, Chargers, Lightings
etc. There are several stages in a rectifier.
Theory involved
The input transformer steps down the A.C mains from 230V (nominal) to 6V
between the center tap and either of the two ends of the secondary winding.
The transformer has a capability of delivering a current of 500 mA. The 6V
A.C appearing across the secondary is the RMS value of the waveform and
peak value would be 6 2 8.4volts. The diodes rectify the A.C waveform
appearing across the secondary with the help of alternate forward and
reverse biasing. The capacitor further filters 99% of the resident components
and this is let to pass through the resistance and emerges out as +ve and ve.

The bulb connected verifies the output as it works on Direct Current and if
used on an Alternating Current, the fluctuation will burn out the bulb.
Materials required in the construction :
Connecting wires, a plug, single lead wire - 2m, 3 nuts & Bolts of 2 to 3
cm length, Circuit board of mica, a small box to place the model, a
transformer, A capacitor, A Resistor (1 K ), P-N junction diodes, Insulation
tape, Blades, soldering wax, soldering lead, soldering iron & sand paper.

Details of the materials used

i)

Connecting wires and a plug A normal insulated copper wire

able to withstand 230 250 v is required.

ii)

Single lead wire Thin wire with one single strand of copper
well Insulated and able to conduct a current of 1 ampere or a D.C
current efficiently.

iii)

A circuit board A normal board of mica facilitated with clips to

simplify the connection.

iv)

Nuts ad bolt In order to fix the board & transformer firmly.

Size 2 3 cm.

v)

Soldering wax & lead The wires are to be soldered firmly to

make the connection tight so for this a thin lead wire is required to

affix the connections and wax to make the lead to hold on when
soldered.
vi)

A bulb To test the output voltage whether Direct or not.

vii)

A 6-0-6 transformer

Transformer is a device used to change the voltage of an alternating

current. The transformer which converts low voltage to high voltage is
called a step up transformer whereas the one which converts high voltage
to low voltage is called a step down transformer. It consists of a
laminated core consisting of two coils, a primary & a secondary coil. In a
step up the number of turns in the secondary is greater that that of the
primary and the reverse in a step down transformer. Here we use a step
down transformer which steps down 230V to 6V between the secondary
terminals and the center tap.
viii) A CAPACITOR
The ability of a metal to store electric charges measures the capacitances
of a conductor. It provides high impedance to Alternating Current and
stores them while all the D.C components are let to pass.
ix)

A Resistor

A resistor is an electronic components whose resistance value tells us

about the opposition it offers to the flow of electric current. Resistance is
measured in ohms ( ).

x)

P-N junction Diodes

When one side of a semiconductor crystal (Germanium or silicon) is

doped with acceptor impurity atoms and the other side with donor
impurity atoms a P-N junction is formed.

It is also called a

semiconductor or crystal diode. When diffusion of the two regions occur

a resultant potential barrier is created between the two sides due to
migration of electrons and holes.

Circuit diagram

Connection details
Connections are done as in the circuit. The A.C. supply is given to
both the input wires of the transformer and the two ends of the

secondary coil is given to the P side of the two diodes and the N side
of the diodes are twined and then connected to one end of the
capacitor and the other end to the center tap lead and to the resistor.
Further, the other end of capacitor with the diode connection is
connected to the other end of the resistor . Connect 2 leads on both
the ends of the resistor to measure the output and this is connected to
the +ve & -ve terminals of the bulb.
Working
1st when the A.C. is supplied to the transformer, it steps down the
230V main supply to 6 volts. It has a capability of delivering a current
of 500mA. The 6 volts A.C. appearing across the secondary is the
RMS valur and the peak value is 6 2 or 8.4 volts. During the 1 st
half cycle of the A.C. input Diode D1 is forward biased and a current
I flows in the circuit in the direction S1D1ABEOS1. During this
time diode D2 is reverse biased. So it does not conduct any electric
current. During the next half cycle the diode D2 is forward and D1 is
reversed. Hence D2 conducts current in the direction S2D2ABEOS2
and D1 does not conduct any current. In subsequent half cycles of the
A.C current the above processes are repeated. In both the half cycles
it is clear that current flows through the resistor in only one direction
ABE. Even though the voltage across RL is unidirectional it will still
contain a few A.C components. This is filtered and made smooth
using a capacitor, which filters 99% of the A.C current. A resistor is
then used to adjust the output voltage. We can then test the o/p Voltage
using a multi-meter.

Efficiency of Rectification

D.C power output

Total A.C input power

For a half wave rectifier, ~ 0.406 = 40.6 %

For a full wave rectifier, the one used here is ~ 0.812 = 81.2 %
By the use of more number of diodes the efficiency can be increase to
a maximum of 94.6%. Here we only use 2 diodes. The use of multiple
capacitors also nearly filters all A.C components from the supply and
resistance is adjusted for the required output. As this is a simple
circuit, only one capacitor and a resistance is being used. But there
will be slight factor of A.C. current still left in the output but it is
negligible.

RECTIFIED D.C VOLTAGE

OBSERVATION:
Capacitance (C) ( F)
1000
1000
1000
1000

Resistance (R) (K )
580
259.6
661.6
563.6

Output Voltage (DC)

15.03
13.51
14.69
14.68

Result:
A full Wave rectifier is constructed & output voltage for different
output resistance is measured and tabulated.
BIBILIOGRAPHY
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Electronic projects for beginners by A.K Manini

Comprehensive physics (class_XIIth , NCERT based)
Comprehensive practical physics
NCERT based CBSE text for XIIth
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