Lab 1: Diode Rectifier and Regulator

Objective:
The objective of this lab is to become familiar with the capability of a diode in circuits.
We will experiment the use of diodes in limiting and rectifying circuits. In this lab you will
design and analyze a full wave rectifier and a shunt voltage regulator.
Introduction:
A full wave rectifier is a device which is used to rectify all the alternating current module
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.
In the dc power supply the first building block is the full wave rectifier. The main
enthusiasm of the full wave rectifier (FWR) is to generate a rectified ac output from a
sinusoidal ac input signal. By using the nonlinear conductivity characteristics of diodes to
direct the path of the current a FWR does this.

Figure 1. Common four-diode bridge configuration for the FWR

Diode Currents:
Let us consider the path of current in the diode bridge rectifier. Diodes D4 and D3 will
conduct in the positive half cycle of V in. While diodes D2 and D1 will conduct during the
negative half cycle. As a result, the load will pass current in the same direction in each
half cycle of the input.
Design Concerns
 Reverse current does not exceed the breakdown value
 Power dissipation limit P = Vd Id is not exceeded
Diode Voltages
Forward Bias:
 Let us consider a simple, piece-wise linear model for the diode IV curve, the diode
forward current is zero until Vbias ≥ Vthreshold, where range of Vthreshold is 0.6 V to 0.8
V. The current increases sharply as V bias increases further. Due to this turn-on or
threshold voltage correlated with the diode in forward bias, we should expect a
0.6 to 0.8 V voltage drop across each forward biased diode in the rectifier bridge.
 There are two forward biased diodes in series with the load in full wave rectifier
Diode Bridge in each half cycle of the input signal.
 Across the load the maximum output voltage will be V in - 2 Vthreshold, or ~ Vin - 1.4
V.
 Since some current does flow for voltage bias below V threshold and the current rise
around is Vthreshold is more moderate than the piece-wise model, the actual diode
performance will differ from the simple model.
Reverse Bias:
 In reverse bias by neglecting the reverse voltage breakdown, the current flowing
through the diode is roughly the reverse saturation current, Io. During reverse
bias the voltage across the load will be Vout = Io Rload.
 In specifying a diode for use in a circuit, you must take care that the limits for
forward and reverse voltage and current are not exceeded.
Filtered Full Wave Rectifier:
By adding a capacitor across the output of FWR a filtered full wave rectifier is created.
The full-wave rectifier circuit with capacitor filter is shown in Fig. 2.

Figure 2. Filtered full wave rectifier

The smoothing capacitor transform the full-wave rippled output of the rectifier into a
smooth dc output voltage. Two important parameters to consider when selecting a
suitable capacitor are its working voltage, which must be higher than the no-load output
value of the rectifier and its capacitance value, which determines the amount of ripple
that will appear superimposed on top of the dc voltage.
Aside from rectification efficiency, the main edge of a full-wave bridge rectifier is that it
has a less ac ripple value for a given load and a smaller smoothing capacitor than an
equivalent half-wave rectifier. The quntity of ripple voltage that is superimposed on top
of the dc supply voltage by the diodes can be practically eradicated by adding other
improved filters such as a pi-filter.
In order to describe the source of the voltage ripple, let us consider the performance of
the filtered full wave rectifier. The input to the rectifier is a sinewave frequency f. Let Vi
be the full wave rectified signal input to the filter stage of the rectifier and Vo be the
output. Vi can be approximated as the absolute value of the rectifier input, with
frequency 2f.

Figure 3. Output (Vi) and input (Vo) of a filtered full wave rectifier
From T0 to T1 time period, the diode D1 or D3 is forward biased (close circuit) since Vi >
VC1. So the capacitor C1 charges and the voltage across the load R increases. From T1 to
T2, the diodes D1 and D2 are reverse biased (open circuit) because Vcap > Vi, and the
capacitor discharges through the load R with a time constant of RC seconds.
The voltages between times T1 and T2 lie along a capacitor discharge curve. Along this
line,

 The peak to peak (pp) ripple is defined as the voltage difference between Vmax and
Vmin.

If C is large, such that RC >> T2 - T1, we can approximate the exponential as

Then
.

Since T2 - T1 ~ T/2, where T is the period of the sine wave, then

Peak Current Levels:

In the time period from T0 to T1 diodes in the bridge conduct. The diode current must
replace the charge which is lost by the capacitor during its discharge.
 I = dQ/dT = C*dV/dT
As the magnitude of the filter capacitor increases, the peak current through the diodes
must increase to replace the charge in less time. Thus it is not always good to the select
the largest value of C1. In a dc power supply, you can rely on the stages following the
FFWR to crucially enhance the voltage regulation.
The Shunt Regulator:
A shunt regulator may be placed between the filtered full wave rectifier and the load
resistance. The main aim is to minimize the variation in the voltage across the load, as
either the input voltage or the output resistance changes.

Figure 4. Filtered FWR and shunt regulator

This regulator is called a shunt because it gives an additional path for current to flow, so
that some current can bypass the load. The shunt regulator comprise of a zener diode
and a resistor. The zener diode has a constant voltage drop when used in reverse bias.
The resistor is chosen to keep the zener in its normal working region, where it can give a
regulation and not cross a maximum power limit.
A simple model for the zener diode is a dc supply (battery) with a value of Vzo, where
Vzo is the effective zener voltage,Vz0 = Vz-IzRz, where Vz is the rated breakdown voltage,
and Rz is the effective resistance of the zener, given by the inverse of the slope of the IV
curve in the working region.

Figure 5. Filtered FWR and shunt regulator with the zener diode replaced with its
circuit model.
Rz is small almost 0.1 to 50 ohm in the zeners working region. For voltages less than the
knee voltage, Rz is very high, and for purposes of hand calculations can be considered to
be an open circuit.

Figure 6. Current-voltage characteristic of a zener diode

You can show for the circuit above that
V0 = Vz0 * (R/R+R) + Vin *(Rz/ R+R) - IL
Where IL is the current flowing through the load. The 1st term in this equation is
constant since it depends only on the diode zener voltage and two resistances. The 2nd
and 3rd terms may change with time and depend on the input voltage and load current.
These terms must be minimized for quality regulation.
Input Sensitivity and Load Sensitivity:
Let us assume the input to the shunt regulator is Vdc +/- Vripple. For Vin = Vin (max) =
Vdc + Vripple, additional current is available from the source. In order to keep Vo = IL*
RL constant, some of that current must be shunted through the zener diode. As long as
Iz < Iz (max), as defined by the maximum power dissipation for the zener, the circuit will
safely modulate. Choose R to prevent the zener from crossing its maximum current limit.
Vin ( max )−Vzo−Iz(max)Rz
R≥
I z ( max ) + Il(min)

For Vin = Vin (min) = Vdc - Vripple, current drops. In order to keep Vo = IL*RL constant,
the current through the zener diode must be minimized. To keep proper regulation, Iz
must not be minimized below the knee current. Choose R to maintain sufficient current
through the zener.
Vin ( min )−Vzo−Iz(min) Rz
R≤
I z ( min )+ Il (max)
The shunt regulator has various major problems which stop its common use as the sole
pre-regulation stage in dc power supplies:
When the load is open circuit, all current is shunted through the zener diode. This
requires an expensive, high power device.
 The line and load regulations values are high (~ 10 % or more).
 The energy efficiency is low.
In order to improved design, we must use shunt regulator in conjunction with a series
pass element with gain, usually a transistor, between the unregulated supply and the
load.
Project Design
Simulation:
Part 1:
In order to simulate the full wave rectifier circuit as shown in Figure 1, we have to use
the following components:
 Input AC voltage (Vin): Vin is a 10 Vpeak and 60 Hz sinusoidal wave. Use VSIN
with the setting: VOFF = 0, VAML = 10 and FREQ = 60
 Full wave rectifier (FWR): The full wave rectifier is constructed in the form of
bridge rectifier using four diodes (D1N4004).
 Load resistor: 200 Ω and 500 Ω resistors are used to understand the effect of load
resistor on the performance of the DC power supply.

Simulation results required in your lab report:

1. Output voltage for Rload = 200 Ω 2. Output voltage for Rload = 500 Ω
All the simulations in this project are in transient mode with run time = 35ms. On the
simulation results, you should indicate the maximum output voltage (Vmax), the
minimum output voltage (Vmin) and the ripple voltage Vr (Vmax – Vmin).
To simulate the filtered full wave rectifier circuit as shown in Figure 2, the filter capacitor
is chosen from 100 uF, 470 uF and 1000 uF.
With Rload = 200 Ω
Vr= 8.4986

With Rload = 500 Ω

Vr= 8.4540
Simulation results required in your lab report:

1. Output voltage for Rload = 200 Ω and C1 = 100 uF

Vr= 9.847

2. Output voltage for Rload = 200 Ω and C1 = 470 uF

Vr= 578.600m
3. Output voltage for Rload = 200 Ω and C1 = 1000 uF
Vr= 264.500m

4. Output voltage for Rload = 500 Ω and C1 = 100 uF

Vr= 1.0437

5. Output voltage for Rload = 500 Ω and C1 = 470 uF

Vr= 252.500m
 6. Output voltage for Rload = 500 Ω and C1 = 1000 uF
Vr= 129.300

Part 2:
 To simulate and design a filtered full wave rectifier with a shunt regulator, the
following design parameters should be obeyed:
 To design a shunt regulator, first pick up a 3.3 volts zener diode (a particle diode,
part number 1N5226) and plug it into the curve tracer. Caution: zener diode
should be reverse biased. The cathode of the zener diode (the end with a black
ring) should be connected to the “A” of the diode test port. Menu Settings: type –
diode; Vd – 5 volts; Id – 20 mA; Rload – .25 ohm; Pmax – 2 Watt). Choose any two
points in the linear region and use CURSOR function to display Id and Vd of the
two points. Print out from the screen and it should look like that in Figure 6
except in the first quadrant.
Finding I-V characteristics of Zener

I-V characteristics

Finding Id and Vd
 Calculate the effective zener resistance Rz and effective zener voltage Vzo from
the equation Vz0 = Vz-IzRz or Rz = (Vz2 – Vz1)/(Iz2 – Iz1) and Vzo = Vz1 – Iz1*Rz.

 Calculate the value of the series resistor R (R5 in Figure 4) for the shunt regulator
with the equation
Vin ( min )−Vzo−Iz(max)
R≤
I ( min ) + Il(max)
 Vin(min) is the minimum input voltage, Vin(min) = Vp – 2*0.7 – Vr, Vp is the peak
input voltage or 10 volts in this lab, 0.7 volt is the voltage drop across one diode,
Vr can be used as 2 volts for an estimation
 Vzo and Rz are obtained in step 2
 Iz(min) is the minimum current needed for the zener diode to operate properly,
for example, 5 mA is a good rating
 IL(max) is the maximum load current and determined by Vo/Rmin. The output
voltage of the shunt regulator is about the zener voltage used, Rmin is the
minimum load resistance. In this lab, Vo ~ 3.3 volts and Rmin = 200 Ω

Calculation:
Rz= Vz2- vz1/ Iz2- Iz1
Rz = 5.77V – 2.42V / 19.17A – 6.08A = 0.256 Ω
Vz0 = Vz1 – (Iz1)(R2)
Vz0 = 2.4V – (6.08A)(0.256 Ω) = 0.844V
Calculating Shunt Resistance (Rs):
Vin ( min )−Vzo−Iz(min) Rz
R≤
I z ( min )+ Il (max)
Where
Vz0 = 0.844V, Rz = 0.256 Ω
Vin(min) = Vp – 2(0.7) – Vn
Vin(min) = 10 -1.4 -2 = 6.6V
Iz(min) = 5mA
IL(max) = V0/ Rmin
So
Ic(max) = 4.7V/200 Ω as Rmin = 200 Ω
Ic(max) =23.5mA
So
R = 6.6V – 0.844V – (5mA)(0.256 Ω) / 5mA + 23.5mA
R = 201.92 approximately R = 202 Ω
Capacitance Calculation:
C = Vp / 2*f*Vr*R = 10/ 2*60*2*202
C = 207µF

 Get a practical resistor with a value close but smaller than the resistance R
calculated above. Use this value for R in all the following calculation and
simulation.
 Calculate the capacitance required for the filter using C = Vp/(2*f*Vr*R).
 Create a FWR and shunt regulator circuit in OrCAD-Capture as shown in Figure 4.
R5 and C1 in Figure 4 should use the value of R and C obtained in step 4 and step
5, respectively. Dz1 is the 3.3 volts zener diode (D1N5226).
 Simulate the circuit with Rload = 200 Ω. Obtain a capture of the output voltage.
 Simulate the circuit with Rload = 500 Ω. Obtain a capture of the output voltage.
Simulation
 With R(load) = 200 ohm

With R(load) = 500 ohm

Conclusion:
In the concerned lab I have learnt about full wave rectification and techniques to
improve the output load voltage. In first task where I have just a load resistor after
rectifier circuit, I have observed that increasing the load resistance will decrease the DC
output voltage. After that, connecting the filter capacitor will smooth the output DC
voltage and even increase it. Greater the value of capacitance, more smooth and greater
the output DC voltage will be. Also the ripple voltage decreases as we increase the
capacitance value and due to more smoothing effect, we will get greater average DC
output voltage.
In shunt regulator part I have calculated the value of resistance and capacitance needed
to put in a circuit as we have connected Zener diode in parallel with load resistance.
From simulation I have observed that increasing the load resistance from 200 Ω to 500 Ω
in shunt regulator circuit our output DC voltage increases and ripple voltage is small and
doesn’t alter frequently.
Thus the lab gave me the overview of full wave rectification and techniques to improve
the DC output voltage of a full wave rectifier and the concerned simulations verified the
techniques as given