ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT

Electronic Devices and Circuits Manual

ACTIVITY 4: Full-Wave Rectification

4.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity

a. ability to apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve engineering problems

b. ability to design and conduct fieldworks, as well as to analyze and interpret data

c. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams

4.2 Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
a. identify the output waveform of a full-wave signal

b. calculate the rectified full-wave signal’s DC level

c. evaluate the precision of the experiment conducted

4.3 Objectives of the Activity

The objective of this activity is to:

a. be familiar with full-wave rectification

4.4 Principle of the Activity

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 signal of Fig. 4.1 normally established by network with a single diode has
an average or equivalent DC level equal to 31.8% of the peak value Vm. That is,

(4.1)

ACTIVITY 4: FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION 1

 The full-wave rectified signal of Fig. 4.2 has twice the average or DC level of the half-
wave signal, or 63.6% of the peak value, Vm. That is,

(4.2)

For the large sinusoidal inputs (Vm VT) the forward-biased transition voltage 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.
In rectification systems, the peak inverse voltage (PIV) or Zener breakdown voltage
parameter must be considered carefully. 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-
diode 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. The
PIV voltage is the maximum reverse-bias voltage that a diode can handle before entering the
Zener breakdown region.

4.5 Materials/Equipment

Instruments:
1 unit Oscilloscope
1 unit DMM

Components:
Resistors:
2 pieces 2.2 kΩ
1 piece 3.3 kΩ

Diodes:
4 pieces Silicon

Supplies:
1 unit 12.0 V Center-Tapped Transformer with Fused Cord

4.6 Circuit Diagrams / Figures / Source Codes (if Applicable)

ACTIVITY 4: FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION 2

 Figure 4.1 Half-wave signal Figure 4.2 Full-wave signal

Figure 4.3

Figure 4.8

ACTIVITY 4: FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION 3

4.7 Procedure/s
Part 1. Threshold Voltage

Choose one of the silicon diodes and determine the threshold voltage, V T, using the
diode-checking capability of the DMM or a curve tracer.

VT = _______

Part 2. Full-Wave Rectification (Bridge Configuration)

a. Construct the full-wave bridge rectifier of Fig. 4.3. Be sure that the diodes are inserted
correctly and that the grounding is a shown. If unsure, ask your instructor to check your
set-up. Record the measured value of the resistor R.
In addition, measure the rms voltage at the secondary using the DMM set to AC. Record
the rms value below. Does it differ from the rated 12.0 V?

Vrms(measured) = _______

b. Calculate the peak value of the secondary voltage using the measured value (Vpeak = 1.414
Vrms).

Vpeak (calculated) = _______

c. Using the VT of Part 1for each diode sketch the expected output waveform v o on Fig. 4.4.
Choose a vertical and horizontal sensitivity commensurate with the secondary voltage.
Consult your oscilloscope to obtain a list of possibilities. Record your choice for each
below.

d. Using the oscilloscope with the coupling switch in the DC position obtain the waveform
for Vo and record on Fig. 4.5. Use the same sensitivities employed in Part 2(c) and be
sure to preset the Vo = 0V line using the GND position of the coupling switch. Label the
maximum and minimum values of the waveform using the chosen vertical sensitivity.

e. Determine the DC level of the full-wave rectified waveform of Fig. 4.5.

VDC(calculated) = _________

ACTIVITY 4: FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION 4

 f. Measure the DC level of the output waveform using the DMM and calculate the percent
difference between the measured and calculated values.

VDC(measured) = _______
%Difference = _________

g. Replace diodes D3 and D4 by 2.2 kΩ resistors and forecast the appearance of the output
Vo including the effect of VT for each diode. Sketch the waveform on Fig. 4.6 and label
the magnitude of the maximum and minimum values. Record your choice of sensitivities
below.

h. Using the oscilloscope, obtain the waveform for V o and reproduce on Fig. 4.7 indicating
the maximum and minimum values. Use the same sensitivities as determined in Part 2(g).

i. Calculate the DC level of the waveform of Fig. 4.7.

VDC(calculated) = _______

j. Measure the DC level of the output voltage using the DMM and calculate the percent
difference.

VDC(measured) = _______
%Difference = _________

k. What was the major effect of replacing the two diodes with resistors?

Part 3. Full-Wave Center-Tapped Configuration

a. Construct the network of Fig. 4.8. Record the measured value of the resistor R.

ACTIVITY 4: FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION 5

 Measure each secondary voltage of the transformer with the DMM set on AC. Record
below. Do they differ from their voltage rating?

Vrms1 (measured) = ______

Vrms2 (measured) = ______

Using an average of the rms readings calculate the peak value of the secondary voltage.

Vpeak (calculated) = ______

b. Using VT of Part 1 for each diode sketch the expected output waveform V o on Fig. 4.9.
Choose the vertical and horizontal sensitivity commensurate with the secondary voltage.
Consult your oscilloscope to obtain a list of possibilities. Record your choice for each
below.

c. Using the oscilloscope with the coupling switch in the DC position obtain the waveform
for Vo and record on Fig. 4.10. Use the same sensitivities employed in Part 3(b) and be
sure to preset the Vo = 0 V line using the GND position of the coupling switch before
viewing the waveform. Label the maximum and minimum values of the waveform using
the chosen vertical sensitivity.

d. Determine and compare the calculated and measured values of DC level associated with
vo.

calculated = ________
measured = ________

4.8 Activity Report

Section: Date Performed:

Course Code: Date Submitted:
Course Title:
Instructor:
Group No.: Activity No.:

ACTIVITY 4: FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION 6

 Group Members: Signature:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

4.8.1 Data and Results

Figure 4.4.

Vertical sensitivity = __________

Horizontal sensitivity = __________

ACTIVITY 4: FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION 7

 Figure 4.5

Figure 4.6

Vertical sensitivity = __________

Horizontal sensitivity = __________

ACTIVITY 4: FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION 8

 Figure 4.7

Figure 4.9

Vertical sensitivity = __________

Horizontal sensitivity = __________

ACTIVITY 4: FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION 9

 Figure 4.10

4.8.2 Calculations

4.8.3 Observations (if applicable)

How do the waveforms of Parts 2(c) and 2(d) compare?

How do the waveforms of Figs. 4.6 and 4.7 compare?

How do the waveforms of Figs. 4.9 and 4.10 compare?

4.8.4 Conclusion/s

ACTIVITY 4: FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION 10

 4.8.5 Rating (include Rubric)

Pre-initiation Initiating Implementing Refining Sustaining

Criteria
1 2 3 4 5

1. Activity Member does not Member follows good Member follows good Member follows good Member follows good and
Conduct follow good and safe and safe laboratory and safe laboratory and safe laboratory safe laboratory practice at
laboratory practice in practice some of the practice most of the practice at all times in all times in the conduct of
the conduct of activity. time in the conduct of time in the conduct of the conduct of activity. activity and encourages
activity. activity. others to do the same.
2.Equipment Member is unable to Member is able to Member is able to Member is able to Member is able to operate
Operation and operate the equipment operate equipment and operate equipment and operate the equipment the equipment and
Material and instruments. instrument with much instrument with and instruments with instruments with ease and
Handling supervision. supervision. ease and with without supervision.
minimum supervision.
3. Data The group has The group has The group has The group has The group has
Collection presented mostly presented relevant but presentedrelevant presentedrelevant presentedrelevant complete
irrelevant data. incompleteandinaccura partial but accurate and andalmost complete and accurate data.
te data. relevant data. but accurate data.

4. Data There are many There are some Analysis is partially Analysis is correct. Analysis is correct. The
Analysis and inaccuracies in inaccuracies in correct. The group The group recognized group recognized some
Evaluation analysis. The group did analysis. The group recognized some errors some errors and errors and inaccuracies in
not attempt to make didattempt to make and inaccuracies in the inaccuracies in the the processed, manipulated
some links to prior some links to prior processed, processed, and presented data. The
knowledge. knowledge. manipulated and manipulated and group is able to relate
presented data. The presented data. The presented data to other
group is able to make group is able to make knowledge.
some links to prior some links to prior
knowledge. knowledge.

ACTIVITY 4: FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION 11

5. Results The group has no The group has vague The group has clear The group has clear The group has clear and
Interpretation interpretation of data interpretation of data and logical and logical logical interpretation of
and has invalid and conclusion is interpretation of data interpretation of data data and is able to draw
conclusion. fundamentally flawed. and/ attempts to and is able to draw suitable accurate
identify trends from some conclusions from conclusions from the data
the data. the data.

Total Score
Mean Score = (Total Score / 5)

Percentage Score = (Total Score / 25) x 100%

ACTIVITY 4: FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION 12