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Andrea Coetzer
Due Date
02/27/2015
Collaborators
005639830
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Design Analysis:
This simulated output confirms that the design and calculated values are
satisfactory. There is a very low ripple in the output voltage shown in red.
Apparatus Diagram:
Experiment Procedure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Data:
Discussion:
The experimental results are mostly what were expected. The input ac
voltage gets cut off at the negative peak. This could possibly have been due to
the capacitor being connected to ground along with the input voltage and
therefore smoothing the peaks. The output voltage shown in blue, is as
expected. The results show that the RC values chosen in the rectifier are correct
since it smoothes the ac voltage into a linear DC voltage.
The diode bridge in the circuit directs the current to flow into the direction
of the capacitor and the load resistor. While the ac voltage input is in its positive
half cycle, D1 and D2 (refer to apparatus diagram) are in forward bias mode
while diode D3 and D4 are in
reverse bias mode. The two
diodes in forward bias mode
allows the current to flow and
causes a voltage drop, while
the
two diodes in reverse bias acts
as
a short, therefore prohibiting
current to flow in that direction.
In
the negative half cycle of the
input voltage, D1 and D2 are in
reverse bias while D3 and D4
are
in forward bias. This orientation
of
the 4 diodes, allow the current
to
flow in the same direction
during both the positive and
negative cycle of the input voltage.
Conclusion:
The design of this circuit has taught me how to use diodes to ensure
current flows in the desired direction. Its purpose was to learn how to transform
a sinusoidal voltage into a steady state. In addition, it taught me how to filter the
input by using a capacitor and resistance by determining the appropriate RC
constant to reduce the ripple of the voltage.