POWER SUPPLY CIRCUITS

A low voltage power supply converts AC inputs to DC output voltage.

This low voltage power supply needs rectifier to convert AC to pulsating DC
and filter to smoothen pulsating DC to pure DC output voltage and sometimes
regulate the voltage to maintain constant voltage. A transformer is used to step
down the AC voltage.

220 VAC Step down

Source Rectifier Filter Regulator Load
Transformer

Ripple

Block Diagram of Low Voltage DC Power Supply

220 VAC Source – is a common AC Supply in AC outlet.

Step Down Transformer – This is used to reduce the 220 volts into smaller
voltage.

Rectifier – This circuit AC voltage to pulsating DC voltage. Diode is the

perfect device used as rectifier because of its capability to conduct
current in one direction.

Filter – This circuit reduces ripple voltage to become smooth DC voltage.

Regulator – This circuit maintains the DC voltage to keep up with the varying
need for power. This is because the output voltage suffers when
maximum power load is connected to the power supply.
 Transformer

Primary Secondary 12V 220V Primary Secondary 12V

220V

0V

12V
0V 0V 0V
Single Winding Secondary Center Tapped
Primary Secondary 12V
Primary Secondary
220V 12V 220V

0V
6V 9V

110V
110V
3V 0V
6V

0V 0V
0V 0V
Multiple Secondary (multi-tapped) Multiple Secondary

Transformer Windings

Rectifier Circuits
Rectifier has two types, the (1) Half Wave Rectifier and the (2) Full Wave
Rectifier.

1. Half Wave Rectifier

Half wave rectifier allows current to flow though the load for only one-
half of each cycle. Let’s examine what happens to the input signal in half
wave rectifier using the ideal diode. When the sinusoidal input voltage
goes positive, the diode is forward bias and conduct current though the
load resistor.
When the input voltage goes negative during the second half of its cycle,
the diode is reversed-biased. There is no current, so the voltage across the
load resistor is 0V.

2. Full Wave Rectifier

The full-wave rectifier is the most commonly used type in DC power

supplies. The difference between a half-wave and full-wave rectification
is that a half-wave rectifier allows unidirectional (one way) current while
a full-wave rectifier allows bidirectional current to the load during one
cycle.

2.1 Center-Tapped Rectifier

The full-wave center-tapped circuits used two diodes and a center-

tapped transformer.

2.2 Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier

This is the most commonly used rectifier in DC power supply. Bridge

rectifier uses four diodes. When the inputs cycle is positive, diodes D1
and D2 are forwarded biased and conduct current in the direction. A
voltage is developed across R1. During this time, D3 and D4 are
reversed-biased.

When the input cycle is negative, diodes D3 and D4are forward

biased and conduct current in the same direction through R1 as during
 the positive half-cycle. During this cycle, D1 and D2 are reverse-
biased.

Choosing Rectifier Diode in your Power Supply

K A

Rectifier
Diode

Input

-VP(in) =
PIV
Advantages of Half-Wave Rectifier

1. Simplicity
2. Low Cost
3. It requires only one diode and can be used with or without transformer

Disadvantages of Half-Wave Rectifier

1. It is not very efficient since only half of the input used

2. Average output voltage is low
3. Ripple frequency is hard to filter

Advantages of Full-wave Rectifier

1. It is efficient since it operates on both half cycle of the sine wave

2. Ripple frequency is easier to filter
3. Since the current in the halves of the transformer secondary are opposite, there is no
problem with DC core saturation.

Disadvantage of Full-wave Rectifier

 1. It requires a center-tapped transformer
2. Diodes require high PIV rating
3. For given transformer, the peak voltage requirement is lower in the full-wave rectifier
than in the half-wave

Advantages of Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier

1. It can be operated without a transformer.

2. For a given transformer, the output voltage from a bridge is higher
ANALOG MULTI-TESTER

Electronics test instruments are vital instruments that are often used for troubleshooting,
repairing and analyzing the operation of a specific device. The most frequently measured
electrical parameters are the voltage resistance, and current.

The multi-tester or Multi-meter or sometimes called VOM (Voltmeter, Ohmmeter, Milliammeter)

is the best instrument that can measure voltage, resistance, current.

ANALOG MULTI-TESTER

The