AIR UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING

EXPERIMENT NO 3

Lab Title: SINGLE PHASE UNCONTROLLED RECTIFIERS

Student Name: Rizwan Ahmad Reg. No: 190450

Objective:

1. To analyze the working and performance of a 1-phase half wave uncontrolled rectifier.
2. To analyze the working and performance of a 1-phase full wave uncontrolled rectifier.
3. Observe the effect of inductive load on working of an uncontrolled rectifier.
4. Observe the effect of freewheeling diode on working of an uncontrolled rectifier.
LAB ASSESSMENT:

Excellent Good Average Satisfactory Unsatisfactory

Attributes
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)
Ability to Conduct
Experiment
Ability to assimilate the
results
Effective use of lab
equipment and follows
the lab safety rules

Total Marks: Obtained Marks:

LAB REPORT ASSESSMENT:

Excellent Good Average Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
Attributes
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)

Data presentation

Experimental results

Conclusion

Total Marks: Obtained Marks:

Date: Signature:
 LABORATORY
EXPERIMENT
NO. 03

SINGLE PHASE
UNCONTROLLED
RECTIFIERS

OBJECTIVE
5. To analyze the working and performance of a 1-phase half wave uncontrolled rectifier.
6. To analyze the working and performance of a 1-phase full wave uncontrolled rectifier.
7. Observe the effect of inductive load on working of an uncontrolled rectifier.
8. Observe the effect of freewheeling diode on working of an uncontrolled rectifier.

DISCUSSION
Diode: A diode is a two-terminal semiconductor device. The two terminals are called
the anode A and the cathode K. The diode operates as a high-speed switch which has
no movable parts.

Half-wave Rectifier: The half-wave rectifier is so called because it delivers a half-cycle

of dc output for every full cycle of the applied ac voltage.
With a resistive load, the circuit operates as follows: (see Figure 2)
a) t0 < t < t1:
The diode is forward biased and current flows through the resistor.
b) t = t1:
The current becomes 0 and the diode turns off.
c) t1 < t < t2:
The diode is reverse biased because E is negative. The diode is therefore in the off- state
and no current flows.
The conduction angle of a rectifier component is equal to the time that the component
conducts current during each cycle, divided by the period, and multiplied by 360o. In
Figure 2, the conduction angle is 180o. With an inductive load, the circuit operates as
follows (see Figure 3).

a) t0< t < t1
The diode is forward biased and is turned on. The inductor voltage EL is positive because
Eo> ER. The current I increases and the inductor stores energy in the created magnetic
field. This positive energy corresponds to the A+ region of Figure 3.

b) t1< t < t2
The diode is reverse biased because E is negative. The diode therefore remains in the off-
state.

The conduction angle of the diode has been increased because the inductor must restore
the energy which has been supplied by the source. This principle is fundamental in
 defining the on state of a diode in inductive circuits. The current in an inductor varies
slowly. This is because inductors oppose variations in their current. Also, the phase of I
lags that of E.

Rectifier with free-wheeling diode:

When the load is inductive, the negative part of the output voltage waveform reduces the average
output voltage. To prevent the output voltage from going negative, a freewheeling diode can be
placed in the circuit as shown in Figure 4.

When the output voltage begins to go negative, the free-wheeling diode starts conducting. This
maintains the output voltage at approximately zero while the energy stored in the inductor is
being released (see Figure 5). The output voltage waveform is the same as for a purely resistive
load, and the average output voltage is therefore greater than it would be without the free-
wheeling diode.

Full-wave bridge rectifier:

With full-wave rectification, current flow is maintained for both the positive and negative half
cycles of the source voltage. This can be accomplished using a bridge rectifier. Figure 6 shows
the circuit representation for a full-wave bridge rectifier and also the resulting output waveform.
To understand the operation of this circuit, the rules of operation for diodes are applied to the
circuit and waveforms of ES and Eo shown in Figure 7.
 a) t0 < t < t1
At time t = t0, ES is
zero and the diode
act as open switches.
As ES goes positive
(point A with respect
to point B), diodes D1
and D4 become
forward-biased
and turn on.
Therefore, the
voltage at point X is
the same as point
A, and the voltage at point Y, the same as point B. Diodes D2 and D3 are reverse-biased
and act as open switches. The current Io flows in the direction of the arrow.
b) t1 < t < t2
At time t = t1, the source voltage has returned to zero and D1 and D4 turn off. When ES
becomes negative (B becomes positive with respect to A), diodes D2 and D3 become
forward-biased. D1 and D4 are now reverse-biased. The voltage at X is now the same as
that at B, and the voltage at Y is equal to that of A. By examining the circuit and
replacing D1 and D4 by their open-switch symbols, you will see that the direction of
current flow has not changed. It is still in the direction of the arrow. The direction of
current flow for rectifiers is unique. It is the same as the arrow symbolizing the diode or
thyristor in electrical schematics.

The average voltage of Eo can be calculated with the equation:

EO = 0.9 ES
Where ES is the voltage of the source [Vac]

Procedure:
Half-Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier with Resistive Load
CAUTION!
High voltages are present in this laboratory exercise! Do not make
or modify any banana jack connections with the power on unless
otherwise specified!
1. Make sure that the main power switch of the power supply is set of O(Off) position. Set
the voltage control knob to 0.
2. Set up the circuit of the following Figure using the resistive load Z1(a).

3. Set Z1 such that all three-resistor banks are connected and their toggle switches ON.
4. Make the following settings:
On the power supply: Voltage Selector: 4-N
On the oscilloscope:
Channel-1 sensitivity: 10V/DIV
Channel-2 sensitivity: 0.2A/DIV
5. On the power supply, make sure that the voltage control knob is set to the 0 position then
set the main power switch to I (ON). Set the voltage control knob so that the voltage
indicated by the power supply voltmeter is equal to anything between 0V to 30V.

6. Record the input voltage, output voltage, output current and power of the rectifier circuit.
Output voltage E1 dc = 10.73 V
Output current I1 dc = 200 mA
Input voltage E2 dc = 15V
Output Power Po = I1 x E1 =

Paste the oscilloscope input voltage, output voltage and output current in the box given
below:
 Oscilloscope

10.73 6.75 49.95 10 V

0.05 0.03 49.90 200 mA

16.09 -0.11 49.91 10 V

Time Base: 5.00 ms/div

Performance Parameters:
Evaluate the following parameters
- Peak value = Vm = _____________
 Vm
- RMS value = Vrms = = _____________
2
V
- Average value = Vdc = m = _____________
3.14
V rms 2
- Ripple Factor =
√(
V dc
V rms 2
)−1 = ______________

- Efficiency = ( )
V dc
x 100 = ________________

Half-Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier with RL Load

1. On the power supply, set the voltage control knob to the 0 position then set the main
power switch to the O position.
2. Set up the same circuit as in the previous task, except change the load in the circuit to the
inductive load Z1 such that all three banks are operational and are in series with the
previously connected resistive load.
3. Make the following settings:
On the power supply: Voltage Selector: 4-N
On the oscilloscope:
Channel-1 sensitivity: 10V/DIV
Channel-2 sensitivity: 0.2A/DIV
4. On the power supply, make sure that the voltage control knob is set to the 0 position then
set the main power switch to I (ON). Set the voltage control knob so that the voltage
indicated by the power supply voltmeter is equal to anything between 0V to 30V.
5. Explain the effect of an inductive load on the voltage waveform ?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
6. Record the input voltage, output voltage, output current and power of the rectifier circuit.
Output voltage E1 dc = ___________ V
Output current I1 dc = ___________ A
Input voltage E2 dc = ___________ V
Output Power Po = I1 x E1 = ___________ W

Paste the oscilloscope input voltage, output voltage and output current in the box given
below:
 Oscilloscope

11.76 6.11 55.63 10 V

0.04 0.03 49.96 200 mA

15.78 -0.10 50.17 10 V

Time Base: 5.00 ms/div

Performance Parameters:
Evaluate the following parameters
- Peak value = Vm = _____________
 Vm
- RMS value = Vrms = = _____________
2
V
- Average value = Vdc = m = _____________
3.14
V rms 2
- Ripple Factor =
√(
V dc
V rms 2
) −1 = ______________

- Efficiency =( )
V dc
x 100 = ________________

Half-Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier with RL Load and Free-Wheeling Diode

1. Add a free-wheeling diode to the circuit as shown in the figure below.

2. Make the following settings:

On the power supply: Voltage Selector: 4-N
On the oscilloscope:
Channel-1 sensitivity: 10V/DIV
Channel-2 sensitivity: 0.2A/DIV
3. On the power supply, make sure that the voltage control knob is set to the 0 position then
set the main power switch to I (ON). Set the voltage control knob so that the voltage
indicated by the power supply voltmeter is equal to anything between 0V to 30V.
4. Explain the effect of free-wheeling diode on the voltage waveform ?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Paste the oscilloscope input voltage, output voltage and output current in the box given
below:
 Oscilloscope

2
T

10.33 5.36 50.18 10 V

0.37 0.37 50.15 200 mA

16.45 -0.48 50.20 10 V

Time Base: 5.00 ms/div

Procedure
Full Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier with Resistive Load:
1. Make sure that the main power switch of the power supply is set of O(Off) position. Set
the voltage control knob to 0.
2. Set up the circuit of the following Figure using the resistive load Z1(a).

3. Set Z1 such that all three-resistor banks are connected and their toggle switches ON.
4. Make the following settings:
On the power supply: Voltage Selector: 4-N
On the oscilloscope:
Channel-1 sensitivity: 10V/DIV
Channel-2 sensitivity: 0.2A/DIV
5. On the power supply, make sure that the voltage control knob is set to the 0 position then
set the main power switch to I (ON). Set the voltage control knob so that the voltage
indicated by the power supply voltmeter is equal to anything between 0V to 30V.

6. Record the input voltage, output voltage, output current and power of the rectifier circuit.
Output voltage E1 dc = ___________ V
Output current I2 dc = ___________ A
Input voltage E2 dc = ___________ V
Output Power Po = I2 x E1 = ___________ W

Paste the oscilloscope input voltage, output voltage and output current in the box given
below:
 Oscilloscope

3
4

14.31 12.70 100.60 10 V

0.07 0.00 50.21 200 mA

15.98 -0.09 50.26 10 V

0.07 0.06 100.45 200 mA

Time Base: 5.00 ms/div

Performance Parameters:
Evaluate the following parameters
- Peak value = Vm = _____________
 Vm
- RMS value = Vrms = = _____________
√2
2V m
- Average value = Vdc = = _____________
3.14
V rms 2
- Ripple Factor =
√(
V dc
V rms 2
)−1 = ______________

- Efficiency = ( )
V dc
x 100 = ________________

Full-Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier with RL Load

1. On the power supply, set the voltage control knob to the 0 position then set the main
power switch to the O position.
2. Set up the same circuit as in the previous task, except change the load in the circuit to the
inductive load Z1 such that all three banks are operational and are in series with the
previously connected resistive load.
3. Make the following settings:
On the power supply: Voltage Selector: 4-N
On the oscilloscope:
Channel-1 sensitivity: 10V/DIV
Channel-2 sensitivity: 0.2A/DIV
4. On the power supply, make sure that the voltage control knob is set to the 0 position then
set the main power switch to I (ON). Set the voltage control knob so that the voltage
indicated by the power supply voltmeter is equal to anything between 0V to 30V.
5. Explain the effect of an inductive load on the voltage waveform ?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
6. Record the input voltage, output voltage, output current and power of the rectifier circuit.
Output voltage E1 dc = ___________ V
Output current I1 dc = ___________ A
Input voltage E2 dc = ___________ V
Output Power Po = I1 x E1 = ___________ W

Paste the oscilloscope input voltage, output voltage and output current in the box given
below:
 Oscilloscope

3
4

14.85 13.06 100.67 10 V

0.06 0.00 50.33 200 mA

16.44 -0.08 50.29 10 V

0.06 0.06 158.42 200 mA

Time Base: 5.00 ms/div

Performance Parameters:
Evaluate the following parameters
- Peak value = Vm = _____________
 Vm
- RMS value = Vrms = = _____________
√2
2V m
- Average value = Vdc = = _____________
3.14
V rms 2
- Ripple Factor =
√(
V dc
V rms 2
) −1 = ______________

- Efficiency =( )
V dc
x 100 = ________________

Full-Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier with RL Load and Free-Wheeling Diode

5. Add a free-wheeling diode to the circuit as done for the half-wave rectifier.
6. Make the following settings:
On the power supply: Voltage Selector: 4-N
On the oscilloscope:
Channel-1 sensitivity: 10V/DIV
Channel-2 sensitivity: 0.2A/DIV
7. On the power supply, make sure that the voltage control knob is set to the 0 position then
set the main power switch to I (ON). Set the voltage control knob so that the voltage
indicated by the power supply voltmeter is equal to anything between 0V to 30V.
8. Explain the effect of free-wheeling diode on the voltage waveform and comment on the
Ripple factor and efficiency of this rectifier in contrast to half-wave rectifer?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Paste the oscilloscope input voltage, output voltage and output current in the box given below:

Oscilloscope

3
4

14.78 13.00 101.06 10 V

0.06 0.00 50.55 200 mA

16.36 -0.09 50.52 10 V

0.06 0.06 101.05 200 mA

Time Base: 5.00 ms/div

Simulation Activity
Question#01
Simulate the circuits shown in the Figure in PSIM and observe the waveforms of i and v0. Use
parameter values: R=1.5kΩ, Source voltage V = 24v, Frequency f= 50Hz, diode voltage drop =
0.7V.
Simulation Activity
Question#02
Simulate the circuit shown in the Figure in PSIM and observe the waveforms of i, voltage across
the diode, vR, vL and v0. Use parameter values: R=1.5kΩ, L=3H, Amplitude of V = 24v,
Frequency f = 50Hz, diode voltage drop = 0.7V.
Simulation Activity
Question#03
Simulate the circuit shown in the Figure in PSIM and observe the waveforms of i, voltage across
the diode, vR, vL and v0. Use parameter values: R=1.5kΩ, L=3H, Amplitude of V = 24v,
Frequency f = 50Hz, diode voltage drop = 0.7V.
 Simulation Activity
Question#04
Simulate the circuit for a full-wave rectifier in PSIM and observe the waveforms of input
voltage, output voltage and output current.
Simulation Activity
Question#05
Simulate the circuit for a full-wave rectifier with RL load in PSIM and observe the waveforms
of input voltage, output voltage and output current.
Simulation Activity
Question#06
Simulate the circuit for a full-wave rectifier with RL load and a free-wheeling diode in PSIM
and observe the waveforms of input voltage, output voltage and output current.
Conclusion:

In this lab we have learned about the working and performance of a

single phase half wave and full wave uncontrolled rectifiers. Here we observed the
effect of resistive and inductive load on working of single phase half and full wave
uncontrolled rectifier. We draw the schematics of the above mentioned circuits and
verified our results by the output waveforms.