Name & Surname:

University of Baheehir
Engineering Faculty ID:
Electrical-Electronics Department Date:

EXPERIMENT 3
Half-Wave and Full-Wave Rectification

Objective
To calculate, compare, draw, and measure the DC output voltages of half-wave and
full-wave rectifier circuits.

Tools and Equipments Required

DMM (Digital Multi Meter)
DC Power Supply
Function Generator
2.2 k x3
Silicon Diode x4

Theory and Descriptions

The primary function of half-wave and full-wave rectification systems is to establish a

DC level from a sinusoidal input signal that has zero average (DC) level.
The half-wave voltage signal of Fig.2.1, normally established by a network with a
single diode, has an average or equivalent DC voltage level equal to 31.8% of the peak
voltage Vm.
That is Vdc = 0.318 .Vpeak volts (half-wave) eq.2.1
The full-wave rectifier signal of Fig.2.1 has twice the average or DC level of the half-
wave signal, or 63.6% of the peak value Vm.
That is Vdc = 0.636 .Vpeak volts (full-wave) eq.2.2
For large sinusoidal inputs (Vm >> VT) the forward-biased transition voltage VT of a
diode can be ignored. However, for situations when the peak value of the sinusoidal signal is
not that much greater than VT, VT can have a noticeable effect on VDC

Figure 2.1 half- and full-wave rectified signal

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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. For the four
diodes full wave bridge rectification system, the required PIV level is again the peak value,
but for a two diode center tapped configuration, it is twice the peak value of the applied
signal.
PROCEDURE
PART 1. Threshold Voltage
Choose one of the four silicon diodes and determine the threshold voltage, VT, using
the diode-checking capability of the DMM.
VT =
PART 2. Half-Wave Rectification
a) Construct the circuit of Fig.2.2 using the chosen diode of Part 1. Record the measured
value of the resistance R. set the function generator to 1000 Hz, 8 Vp-p sinusoidal
voltage using the oscilloscope.
+ Vd -
D1
+
1N4001

f = 1000 Hz R1 Vo
2.2k

-
Figure 2.2 half wave rectifier
b) The sinusoidal input of fig2.2 has been plotted on the screen of fig.2.3.

Figure 2.3

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c) Using the threshold voltage VT of Part 1, determine the theoretical

output voltage vO for the circuit of fig 2.2 and sketch the waveform on fig 2.3 for
one full cycle using the same sensitivities employed in Part 2(b). Indicate
maximum and minimum values.
d) Using the oscilloscope with the DC position, obtain the voltage vO and sketch the
waveform on fig.2.4. Before viewing vO be sure to set the vO = 0 V line using the
GND position of the coupling switch.

Figure 2.4

e) Calculate the DC level of the half-wave rectifier signal of Part 2(d) using eq.2.1
VDC (calculated) =
f) Measure the DC level of vo using the DC scale of the DMM and find the percent
difference between the measured value and the calculated value of part 2(e) using
the following equation:
VDC ( calc) VDC ( meas)
%Difference X 100%
VDC ( calc)
VDC (measured) =
(% Difference) =

g) Reverse the diode of fig.2.2 and sketch the output waveform obtained using the
oscilloscope on fig.4.5 Be sure the coupling is in the DC position.

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figure 2.5
h) Calculate and measure the DC level of resulting waveform of fig.4.5. Insert the
proper sign for the polarity of VDC as defined by fig.4.3 using eq.2.1
VDC (calculated) =
VDC (measured) =
PART 3. Half-Wave Rectification (continued)
a) Construct the network of fig.2.6. Record the measured value of resistor R.
R1
+
2.2k

f = 1000 Hz D1
1N4001 Vo

-
figure 2.6
b) Using the threshold voltage of Part 1, determine the theoretical output voltage vo
for fig.2.6 and sketch the waveform on fig.2.7 for one full cycle. Indicate the
maximum and minimum values on the output waveform.

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Figure 2.7
c) Using the oscilloscope with the coupling switch in the DC position, obtain the
voltage vo and sketch the waveform on fig.2.8.

figure 2.8
d) Calculate the DC level of the waveform of fig.2.8 using the following equation:
TotalArea 2Vm (VT )
V DC 0.318Vm VT / 2 volts
2 2
VDC (calculated) =
e) Measure the output DC voltage with the DC scale of the DMM and calculate the
percent difference using the same equation appearing in Part 2(f).
VDC (measured) =

(% Difference) =

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PART 5. Full-Wave Rectification

a) Construct the full-wave bridge rectifier of fig.2.13. Be sure that the diodes are
inserted correctly and that the grounding is as shown.

Figure 2.13
Vrms (measured) =
b) Using the VT of Part 1 for each diode, sketch the expected output waveform vo
on fig.2.14.

Figure 2.14
c) Using the oscilloscope with coupling at DC position, obtain waveform vo and
record it on fig.2.15

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Figure 2.15
d) determine DC level of the full-wave rectified waveform of fig.2.15.
VDC (calculated) =
e) Measure the output DC voltage with the DC scale of the DMM and calculate the
percent difference using the same equation appearing in Part 2(f).
VDC (measured) =
(% Difference) =

f) replace diodes D3 and D4 by 2.2 kOhm resistors and forecast the appearance of the
output voltage. Sketch the waveform on fig.2.16.

Figure 2.16

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g) using oscilloscope obtain waveform for output voltage and sketch it

on fig.2.17

Figure 2.17
h) determine DC level of the full-wave rectified waveform of fig.2.15.
VDC (calculated) =
i) Measure the output DC voltage with the DC scale of the DMM and calculate the
percent difference using the same equation appearing in Part 2(f).
VDC (measured) =
(% Difference) =

Conclusion
Write in 2-3 sentences at maximum.
Why we obtain and measure the output voltage and DC coupling? Explain

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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