FULL WAVE RECTIFIER

A Full Wave Rectifier is a crucial electronic

circuit used to convert alternating current (AC)
to direct current (DC). Unlike a half-wave
rectifier that only utilizes one half of the AC
waveform, a full-wave rectifier uses both halves,
making it more efficient in converting AC to DC.
In this project, we will build and analyze a full-
wave rectifier using diodes and study its
performance.
1. Objective
The primary objective of this project
is to design and implement a Full
Wave Rectifier circuit and analyze
its performance.
2. Components Required
• Four Diodes (preferably 1N4007
or similar)
• Transformer (for reducing the
voltage, AC signal)
• Resistor (for the load)
• Capacitor (optional for
smoothing)
• Oscilloscope (for wave
observation)
• Power Supply (if using DC)
• Breadboard and Wires
• Multimeter (for measuring
voltages)
3. Theory
A full-wave rectifier uses four
diodes arranged in a bridge
configuration. This allows both
halves of the input AC waveform to
be used for producing a DC output.
The key steps in the operation are as
follows:
1. Positive Half-Cycle: During the
positive half of the AC input, two
of the diodes conduct (D1 and D2)
and allow current to flow in one
direction through the load
resistor.
2. Negative Half-Cycle: During the
negative half of the AC input, the
other two diodes (D3 and D4)
conduct, allowing current to
flow in the same direction
through the load resistor.
3. The output voltage is now a
pulsating DC voltage, with less
ripple than a half-wave rectifier.
This setup maximizes the utilization
of the AC waveform.
4. Full-Wave Rectifier Circuit
Diagram (Bridge Rectifier)
+----+----+----+----+
AC Input | D1 | D2 | RL | D3 |
+----+----+----+----+
| |
+| |+
Transformer
-| |-+
| |
+---------+
Explanation:
• D1, D2, D3, D4: These are the
diodes.
• RL: This is the load resistor.
• AC Input: The alternating
current signal.
• The transformer reduces the AC
voltage to a manageable level.
In the bridge rectifier:
-During the positive cycle, D1 and D2
conduct, and D3 and D4 are reverse
biased.
-During the negative cycle, D3 and
D4 conduct, while D1 and D2 are
reverse biased.
5. Working Principle
In the full-wave rectifier:
• Positive Half Cycle of Input:
◦ D1 conducts (anode to positive,
cathode to load resistor), and
current flows through the
load resistor in one direction.
◦ D2 is reverse biased and does
not conduct.
• Negative Half Cycle of Input:
◦ D3 conducts (anode to positive,
cathode to load resistor), and
current flows in the same
direction through the load
resistor.
◦ D4 is reverse biased and does
not conduct.
This arrangement ensures that the
current through the load resistor
is always in one direction, creating a
pulsating DC output.
6. Characteristics and
Performance
• Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV): Each
diode experiences a peak voltage
during the reverse bias. The PIV
should be at least equal to the
peak input AC voltage to prevent
diode breakdown.
• Efficiency: A full-wave rectifier
is more efficient than a half-wave
rectifier because it uses both
halves of the input waveform.
• Ripple Frequency: The ripple
frequency of a full-wave
rectifier is twice the frequency
of the input AC.
◦ If the AC supply is 50 Hz, the
ripple frequency will be 100
Hz.
• Output Waveform: The output
will have a pulsed DC waveform.
The frequency of the pulses will
be twice the input AC frequency.
7. Smoothing the Output
The rectified output can still have
ripples, which is not ideal for most
applications. To convert it into a
smoother DC signal, a filter
capacitor is used:
• The capacitor smooths the voltage
by charging during the peaks of
the rectified signal and
discharging when the voltage
drops.
• This produces a smoother DC
output, though some ripple might
remain depending on the size of
the capacitor.

8. Calculations
Let's calculate some of the
parameters for the rectifier.
Peak Output Voltage:
• If the input RMS voltage is V_rms,
then the peak voltage (V_peak) is:
• Vpeak=2×Vrms
Vpeak =2 ×Vrms
DC Output Voltage:
• The output DC voltage after
rectification is approximately the
peak voltage minus the voltage
drop across the diodes. Assuming
each diode has a forward voltage
drop (typically 0.7V for silicon
diodes):
• VDC ≈ Vpeak − 2×Vdiode drop
VDC ≈Vpeak −2×Vdiode drop
9. Building the Circuit
• Step 1: Assemble the bridge
rectifier circuit on a
breadboard.
• Step 2: Connect the AC input
from the transformer to the
anodes of D1 and D3 and the
cathodes of D2 and D4.
• Step 3: Connect the load resistor
across the output of the diodes.
• Step 4: If smoothing is desired,
place a capacitor across the load
resistor.
• Step 5: Test the circuit using an
oscilloscope to observe the
output waveform.

10. Observations and Results

• Before Rectification: The AC
signal will have a sinusoidal
waveform, alternating positive
and negative.
• After Rectification: The output
will show a pulsating DC signal.
The voltage will always be
positive (or zero), but there will
still be ripples.
• With Capacitor: The ripple will
be reduced, and the waveform
will become smoother.
11. Conclusion
The full-wave rectifier is an
efficient method to convert AC to
DC. By utilizing both halves of the
AC waveform, it provides a higher
average output voltage compared to
a half-wave rectifier. The use of a
bridge rectifier makes the circuit
compact and reliable. With
smoothing techniques like adding a
filter capacitor, the output can be
made smoother, making it suitable
for powering DC devices.