UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
ELE2013 Introduction to Electronics Devices & Circuits

NAME: ______________________ Experiment Date: _______________

ID #:________________________ Submission Date: _______________

EXPERIMENT 2: Rectification and Smoothing

OBJECTIVE
To investigate diode testing, rectification and smoothing circuits

APPARATUS
Oscilloscope, Digital Multimeter (DMM), Signal Generator, 4 -Silicon Diodes, 1N4001
2 - 2.2K Resistors, 10F Capacitor, 100F Capacitor

THEORY
Most modern digital multimeter (DMM) can be used to determine the condition of the
diode, that is, whether it is good or bad. They have a scale denoted by a diode symbol
that will indicate the condition of the diode in the forward and reverse bias regions. If
connected to establish a forward and reverse bias connection, the meter will display the
forward bias threshold voltage while in the reverse bias condition, an “OL” or “1” may
appear on the display to indicate the open circuit approximation. The threshold voltage
for silicon is 0.7V while that for germanium is 0.3V.

Total Marks: 50

PRELAB ASSIGNMENT
Complete the pre-lab assignment on separate sheet of paper and submit it to the lab
instructor at the start of the lab experiment. Late submission will be rejected.

Write a summary of the terms:

1. Half-wave and full-wave rectification (4 marks)

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2. Capacitor smoothing (3 marks)

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Activity #1: Half-Wave Rectifier (7 marks)

1. Construct the circuit of figure 4.1.

2. Obtain your input signal Vin from the output of the transformer provided.
D1
Silicon
12V CT
T1 output

R1
2.2K
GND

Figure 4.1
3. On the graphs of figure 4.2a and 4.2b sketch the input voltage, Vin and the output
voltage Vout respectively. Use the dual trace feature on the oscilloscope if possible so
that both waveforms can be viewed and accurately sketched in the same time interval.
Also note the vertical and horizontal sensitivity.

Figure 4.2a Figure 4.2b

Vertical sensitivity = __________ Vertical sensitivity = _________

Horizontal sensitivity = ________ Horizontal sensitivity = ________

4. The average or equivalent DC level of a half wave signal is 31.8% of the peak value.
Use the peak voltage recorded in your sketch to calculate the DC level of the signal.

5. Measure and record the DC output with the multimeter. _______________

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Activity #2: Full-Wave Rectifier (Centre -Tap) (7 marks)

1. Construct the circuit of figure 4.3.

Figure 4.3
2. Make a neat, labeled sketch of the voltage at the points A, B and the output voltage.
Make note of the vertical and horizontal sensitivity on the oscilloscope.

Figure 4.4a Figure 4.4b

Vertical sensitivity = __________ Vertical sensitivity = __________

Horizontal sensitivity = ________ Horizontal sensitivity = ________

3. The average or equivalent DC level of a half wave signal is 31.8% of the peak value.
Use the peak voltage recorded in your sketch to calculate the DC level of the signal.

4. Measure and record the DC output with the multimeter. _______________

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Activity #3: Full - Wave Bridge Rectification and Smoothing. (14 marks)

1. Construct the circuit of figure 4.5. Obtain your input signal Vin from the output of the
transformer provided.

Silicon
T1
12VCT
Output

R1
2.2k

GND

Figure 4.5

2. On the graphs of figure 4.6a and 4.6b sketch the input voltage, Vin and the output
voltage Vout respectively. Also note the vertical and horizontal sensitivity.

Figure 4.6a Figure 4.6b

Vertical sensitivity = __________ Vertical sensitivity = __________

Horizontal sensitivity = ________ Horizontal sensitivity = ________

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3. Connect the given capacitor across the output, one at a time. Use the oscilloscope to
observe the voltage at the output and make sketches on figure 4.7 to show the effect
of each capacitor when it is placed in the circuit.

Figure 4.7a Figure 4.7b

Capacitor value = ____________ Capacitor value = ___________

Vertical sensitivity = __________ Vertical sensitivity = __________

Horizontal sensitivity = ________ Horizontal sensitivity = ________

4. Comment on the effect of the capacitors on the output. (3 marks)

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5. What effect does load have on the output ripple? (3 marks)

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6. If a load with a much lower resistance is connected to the power supply with the 100F
capacitor what modification do you suggest to maintain a steady d.c output?
(3 marks)

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7. Compare the measured and calculated DC levels, accounting for any differences.

(6 marks)

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