National Textile University, Faisalabad.

BS. Textile Engineering, Spring 2020.

Course Title: Electrical and electronic systems

Course code: EE-3001

Practical No.

Title of Practical Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and

full-wave rectifiers both with and without capacitor filter.
Group members

Registration No.

Semester / Section
/ Group
Date of Practical March 12, 2020

Date of lab report June 29, 2020

submission
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

• Abstract:
This experiment has been performed to demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in
half-wave and full-wave rectifiers both with and without capacitor filter. A semiconductor
diode is a crystalline piece of semiconductor material with a p–n junction connected to two
electrical terminals. In this experiment, AC voltage is converted into DC voltage with the
help of rectifier. And with the rectification of half and full wave, the behavior of
semiconductor diode is observed and noted down the values, with or without capacitor filter.

1
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

Table of Contents:
 Title:...................................................................................................................................3
 Abstract:.............................................................................................................................1
 Introduction:.......................................................................................................................3
 Objectives:......................................................................................................................3
 Theory:...........................................................................................................................3
 Semiconductor diode:..............................................................................................3
 Rectifier:..................................................................................................................4
 Types of rectifier:.....................................................................................................4
 Half wave rectification:...........................................................................................4
 Advantages of Half Wave Rectifier:........................................................................5
 Disadvantages of the Half Wave Rectifier:.............................................................5
 Full wave rectification:............................................................................................5
 Advantages of full wave rectifier:...........................................................................6
 Disadvantages of full wave rectifier:.......................................................................6
 Capacitor Filter:.......................................................................................................6
 Apparatus:..........................................................................................................................7
 Procedure:..........................................................................................................................7
 Half wave rectification:..................................................................................................7
 Full wave rectification:..................................................................................................8
 Observation, calculations and results:................................................................................9
 Half wave rectification:..................................................................................................9
 Full wave rectification:..................................................................................................9
 Discussion:.......................................................................................................................10
 Question#01:................................................................................................................10
 Question#02:................................................................................................................11
 Conclusion:......................................................................................................................12

2
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

Experiment #05:

• Title:
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers both
with and without capacitor filter.

• Introduction:
• Objectives:
 Demonstration of behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave rectifier with
capacitor filter.
 Demonstration of behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave rectifier without
capacitor filter.
 Demonstration of behavior of semiconductor diodes in full-wave rectifier with
capacitor filter.
 Demonstration of behavior of semiconductor diodes in full-wave rectifier without
capacitor filter.
• Theory:
• Semiconductor diode:
“A semiconductor diode is a crystalline piece of semiconductor material with a p–n junction
connected to two electrical terminals. Semiconductor diodes were the first semiconductor
electronic devices.”

Figure#01: Semiconductor diode.

A diode made of semiconductor components, usually silicon. The cathode, which is
negatively charged and has an excess of electrons, is placed adjacent to the anode, which has
an inherently positive charge, carrying an excess of holes. At this junction, a depletion
region forms, with neither holes nor electrons. A positive voltage at the anode makes the
depletion region small, and current flows; a negative voltage at the anode makes the depletion
region large, preventing current flow.
 Symbol of semiconductor diode:

3
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

Figure #02: Symbol of semiconductor diode.

• Rectifier:
“A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current, which periodically
reverses direction, to direct current, which flows in only one direction. The process is known
as rectification as it "straightens" the direction of current.”
“A rectifier is a device which converts the Alternating Current (AC) input power into a Direct
Current (DC) output power.”

Figure#03: Rectifier
 Types of rectifier:
There are many of types of rectifier but main are following:
 Half wave rectifier
 Full wave rectifier
• Half wave rectification:
In Half Wave Rectifier, when AC supply is applied at the input, positive half cycle appears
across the load, whereas the negative half cycle is suppressed. This can be done by using the
semiconductor PN – junction diode. The diode allows the current to flow only in one
direction. Thus, convert the AC voltage into DC voltage.

4
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

Figure#04: Half wave rectification.

• Advantages of Half Wave Rectifier:
The main advantage of half-wave rectifiers is in their simplicity. As they don’t require as
many components, they are simpler and cheaper to setup and construct.
As such, the main advantages of half-wave rectifiers are:
 Simple (lower number of components)
 Cheaper up-front cost (as their is less equipment. Although there is a higher cost over
time due to increased power losses)
 Disadvantages of the Half Wave Rectifier:
The disadvantages of the half wave rectifier are as follows: -
 They only allow a half-cycle through per sinewave, and the other half-cycle is wasted.
This leads to power loss.
 They produce a low output voltage.
 The output current we obtain is not purely DC, and it still contains a lot of ripple (i.e.
it has a high ripple factor)

• Full wave rectification:
In Full Wave Rectification, when the AC supply is applied at the input, during both the half
cycles (i.e., positive as well as negative) current flows through the load in the same direction.
This can be achieved by using two crystal diodes. The two diodes conduct the current
alternately.
To obtain the same direction of flow of current in the load resistors RL during positive as
well as the negative half cycle of input, the two circuits are used. They are named as follows:
-
 Center tapped full wave rectifier.
 Full wave rectifier bridge.

5
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

Figure#05: Full wave rectification.

• Advantages of full wave rectifier:
Advantages of full wave rectifier are following:
 The ripple factor is much less than that of half wave rectifier.
 The rectification efficiency is twice than that of a half wave rectifier. For a full wave
rectifier, the maximum possible value of rectification efficiency is 81.2 % while that
half wave rectifier is 40.6 %.
 The DC output voltage and DC load current values are twice than those of a half wave
rectifier.
• Disadvantages of full wave rectifier:
Disadvantages of full wave rectifier are following:
 It is expensive to manufacture a center tapped transformer which produces equal
voltage on each half of the secondary windings.
 The output voltage is half of the secondary voltage, as each diode utilizes only one
half of the transformer secondary voltage.
 The PIV (peak inverse voltage) of a diode used twice that of the diode used in the half
wave rectifier, so the diodes used must have high PIV.
• Capacitor Filter:
“Capacitors that connected across the load in order to filter the generated output are known as
the capacitor filter”.
Generally, a load resistor is present in both the half and full-wave circuits in order to remove
the ripples from the output DC this filter is placed along with the load. This is the main
intention of introducing capacitor filters in the rectifiers.
During the process of rectification, the output generated will not result in the pure DC form.
Instead, there is the presence of ripples in the output. The ripples are the unwanted AC part
present in the output DC. This affects the efficiency of the circuit. The frequencies that are
undesirable to the circuit can be filtered by connecting the capacitor filter across the load. As
we use voltage regulators these capacitor filters are kept after it so that the output that is
generated gets smoothened. Hence it is proved n to be more advantageous to the half and full-
wave rectifier circuit.

a b

6
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

Figure#06:a.Half wave rectifier with capacitor filter, b. Full wave rectifier with capacitor
filter

• Apparatus:
 Electro-Technic Lab Trainer
 Oscilloscope
 Digital Multi-meter
 Connecting leads

• Procedure:
• Half wave rectification:
At first, connect the circuit as shown in Figure#07 using Electro-technic Lab Trainer and
Connecting leads.

Figure#07: Half wave rectifier without capacitor filter

Now connect one of the probes of the oscilloscope across the output terminals of the
transformer and the second probe across the load resistor R. Turn on the scope, set the
channel selector to “Dual” mode, and coupling to DC. View both of the signals
simultaneously with proper voltage and position setting. Set the selector switch of the multi-
meter at AC voltage range. Now, measure the AC voltage across the output terminals of the
transformer and record the reading. Calculate and record the peak value of the AC input of
the half-wave rectifier. Measure the peak value of the AC input of the half-wave rectifier with
the help of oscilloscope and record. Measure the DC voltage across the load resistor with the
help of multi-meter and record. Measure the input and output frequency and record it.
Now, connect the capacitor filter across the load resistor as shown in Figure#08.

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Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

Figure#08: Half wave rectifier with capacitor filter.

And observe the input and output voltage and note down the readings.
• Full wave rectification:
At first, connect the circuit as shown in Figure#09 using Electro-technic Lab Trainer and
Connecting leads.

Figure#09: Full wave rectification without capacitor filter.

Now connect one of the probes of the oscilloscope across the output terminals of the
transformer and the second probe across the load resistor R. Turn on the scope, set the
channel selector to “Dual” mode, and coupling to DC. View both of the signals
simultaneously with proper voltage and position setting. Set the selector switch of the multi-
meter at AC voltage range. Measure the AC voltage across the output terminals of the
transformer and record the reading. Calculate and record the peak value of the AC input of
the half-wave rectifier. Measure the peak value of the AC input of the half-wave rectifier
with the help of oscilloscope and record. Now measure the DC voltage across the load
resistor with the help of multi-meter and record. Measure the input and output frequency and
record.
Now, connect the capacitor filter across the load resistor as in Figure#10.

8
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

Figure#10: Full wave rectifier with capacitor filter.

• Observation, calculations and results:

• Half wave rectification:
Table#01: Half wave rectification
Sr no# Input Ac Calculate Oscilloscope DC Input Output
voltage d Peak measured Voltage frequency frequency
transformer voltage peak across (Hz) (Hz)
(T) Ac, input voltage Ac, load
of half input of resistor
wave half wave (V)
rectifier rectifier (V)
(V)
1. 10.9 14.27 16 4.55 50 50

 Capacitor filter:
Capacitor filter of 47µF or 100 µF is connected across the resister in half wave rectifier
circuit, CRO waveform straightens more as we increase capacitance from 47µF to 100 µF.

Figure#11: Half wave rectifier with capacitor filter waveform.

9
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

• Full wave rectification:

Table#02: Full wave rectification

Sr no# Input Ac Calculate Oscilloscope DC Input Output
voltage d Peak measured Voltage frequency frequency
transformer voltage peak across (Hz) (Hz)
(T) Ac, input voltage Ac, load
of full input of full resistor
wave wave (V)
rectifier rectifier (V)
(V)
1. 10.9 14.27 16 8.50 50 100

 Capacitor filter:
Capacitor filter of 47µF or 100 µF is connected across the resister in full wave rectifier
circuit, CRO waveform straightens more as we increase capacitance from 47µF to 100 µF.

Figure#12: Full wave rectifier with capacitor filter waveform.

10
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

• Discussion:
• Question#01:
How can you further improve the DC voltage across the load resistor?
Answer:
We can improve the average DC output of the rectifier while at the same time reducing the
AC variation of the rectified output across the load resistor by using smoothing capacitors to
filter the output waveform.
A Smoothing capacitor or capacitor filter is a capacitor that acts to smooth or even out
fluctuations in a signal. The most common and used application for smoothing capacitors is
after a power supply voltage or a rectifier. Power supply voltage can sometimes supply
erratic and unsmooth voltages that fluctuate greatly.
Smoothing or reservoir capacitors connected in parallel with the load across the output of the
full wave bridge rectifier circuit increases the average DC output level even higher as the
capacitor acts like a storage device.
• Question#02:
What is the importance of PIV voltage of a Diode in the rectifier circuits?
Answer:
Peak inverse voltage (PIV):
“The maximum value of the reverse voltage that a PN junction or diode can withstand
without damaging itself is known as its Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV).”
Importance:
Peak reverse voltage of a device like diode gives the maximal values of voltage that it is able
resist without being harmed when it is reversed biased.
PIV is the maximum peak voltage that a diode can withstand in the reverse non-conducting
region. By withstand, it means that, up to this voltage the diode blocks conduction of current
in the reverse direction. Since diode is an unidirectional device, if voltage greater than peak
inverse voltage is applied across the diode, then it will go through an mass breakdown, that
is, the potential barrier will be broken and a heavy impulse current will flow through the
reverse direction. This instantaneous high current may damage the equipment and the diode
in the rectifier circuit. So, always voltage greater than PIV is avoided for safety of the
instruments. PIV rating is specified in the manufacturer's sheet.
As PN junction or diode is used as a rectifier as shown in the figure#11 i.e., it is used to
convert AC to DC. Therefore, care should be taken that during the negative half cycle, the
peak value of AC voltage should not be more than the rated value of the Peak Inverse
Voltage of the diode.

11
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

Figure#13: Rectifier (fill wave) circuit diagram

In the above experiment of demonstration of the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-

wave and full-wave rectifiers both with and without capacitor filter, as a semiconductor diode
is a crystalline piece of semiconductor material with a p–n junction connected to two
electrical terminals. In this experiment, AC voltage is converted into DC voltage with the
help of rectifier. And with the rectification of half and full wave, the behavior of
semiconductor diode is observed with or without capacitor filter. A Smoothing capacitor or
capacitor filter is a capacitor that acts to smooth or even out fluctuations in a signal.

• Conclusion:
From the above experiment it is concluded that when AC voltage is converted into DC
voltage with the help of rectifier. In half wave rectification the positive cycle appears as
output. During each “positive” half cycle of the AC sine wave, the diode is forward biased as
the anode is positive with respect to the cathode resulting in current flowing through the
diode. And in full wave rectification, the AC supply is applied at the input, during both the
half cycles (i.e., positive as well as negative) current flows through the load in the same
direction. This can be achieved by using two crystal diodes. The two diodes conduct the
current alternately. After the rectification, the waveforms can be smoothened by eliminating
fluctuations using smoothing capacitor or capacitor filter. Capacitor filter of 47µF or 100 µF
is connected across the resister in full wave rectifier circuit, CRO waveform straightens more
as we increase capacitance from 47µF to 100 µF.

12
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

Rubric For Conducting Laboratory Experiments

Course & course code: EE-3001

Title: Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers both with and without capacitor filter.

Name: Maida Irshad Registration No. 17-NTU-0079 Total Marks Obtained: _____________

Attributes Max. Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Obtained

Marks
Marks Beginning or Developing Accomplished Exemplary
incomplete

 Set-up of equipment  Set-up of  Set-up of equipment  All equipment accurately

is not accurate, equipment is is generally accurate placed
Set-up and help is required generally workable with 1 or 2 small  All necessary supplies on
Equipment with several major with several details that need hand
Care 04 details details that need refinement  Very neat and organized
 Many necessary refinement  All necessary supplies
supplies must  Some necessary on hand
found in mid-lab supplies must be
searched out

 Lacks the  Demonstrates  Demonstrates good  Demonstrates very good

appropriate general knowledge knowledge of the lab knowledge of the lab
Following knowledge of the of lab procedures procedures procedures
Procedure lab procedures  Requires help from  Will ask peers for  Gladly helps other
04  Often requires help teacher with some help with problems students to follow
from the teacher to steps in in lab procedures procedures
even complete procedures  Works to follow each  Thoroughly and carefully
basic procedures step before moving follows each step before
on to the next step moving on to next step

 Measurements are  Measurements are  Measurements are  Measurements are both

incomplete, somewhat mostly accurate accurate and precise
Data inaccurate and inaccurate and  Observations are  Observations are very
Collection imprecise very imprecise generally complete thorough and may
 Observations are  Observations are  Work is organized recognize possible
04 incomplete or not incomplete or  Only 2 or 3 minor errors in data collection
included recorded in a errors using  Work is neat and
 Symbols, units and confusing way symbols, units and organized
significant figures  There are 3 or more significant digits  Includes appropriate
are not included minor errors. symbols, units, and
significant digits

 Proper safety  Proper safety  Proper safety  Proper safety

precautions are precautions are precautions are precautions are
Safety consistently missed often missed generally used consistently used
04  Needs to be  Needs to be  May need to be  Consistently thinks
reminded often reminded more reminded once ahead to ensure safety
during the lab than once during during the lab  Will often help other
the lab students to conduct labs
safely
 Proper clean-up  Needs to be  Proper clean-up  Consistently uses proper
procedures are reminded more procedures clean-up procedures
Clean-up seldom used than once during generally used  Often will help other
 Often requires help the lab to use  May need some help students to complete
04 proper clean-up
to complete clean- on occasion to tasks properly
up procedures complete tasks  Station always left neat
 3 or more items left  1 or 2 items left at  Station generally left and clean
at station or station station or not clean
not cleaned cleaned

PS: Make necessary conversion as per number of laboratory experiments. Total marks including conducting laboratory experiments and
report writing are 70.

13
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

14
Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
both with and without capacitor filter.

RUBRIC FOR ASSESSING LAB REPORTS

Course & course code: EE-3001

Title: Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave and full-wave rectifiers both with and without capacitor filter.

Name: Maida Irshad Registration No. 17-NTU-0079 Total Marks Obtained: _____________

Attributes Max. Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Obtained

Marks
Marks Beginning or incomplete Developing Accomplished Exemplary

Abstract/ Several major aspects of the Abstract misses one or Abstract references most The abstract contains
experiment are missing, more major aspects of of the major aspects of reference to all major aspects
Summary 04 student displays a lack of carrying out the the experiment, some of carrying out the experiment
understanding about how to experiment or the minor details are missing and the results, well-written
write an abstract results

Introduction Very little background Some introductory The introduction is nearly Introduction complete and
information provided or information, but still complete, missing some well-written; provides all
04
information is incorrect missing some major minor points necessary background
points principles for the experiment

Experimental Missing several important Written in paragraph Written in paragraph Well-written in paragraph
procedure experimental details or not format, still missing format, important format, all experimental
04 written in paragraph format some important experimental details are details are covered
experimental details covered, some minor
details missing

Results: Figures, graphs, tables contain Most figures, graphs, All figures, graphs, tables All figures, graphs, tables are
errors or are poorly tables OK, some still are correctly drawn, but correctly drawn, are numbered
data, figures, 08 constructed, have missing missing some important some have minor and contain titles/captions.
graphs, titles, captions or numbers, or required features problems or could still be
tables, etc. units missing or incorrect, etc. improved

Discussion Very incomplete or incorrect Some of the results Almost all of the results All-important trends and data
interpretation of trends and have been correctly have been correctly comparisons have been
comparison of data indicating interpreted and interpreted and discussed, interpreted correctly and
08 a lack of understanding of discussed; partial but only minor improvements discussed, a good
results incomplete are needed understanding of results is
understanding of results conveyed
is still evident

Conclusions Conclusions missing or Conclusions regarding All-important conclusions All-important conclusions

missing the important points major points are drawn, have been drawn, could have been clearly made, the
04 but many are misstated, be better stated student shows good
indicating a lack of understanding
understanding

Spelling, Frequent grammar and/or Occasional Less than 3 All grammar/spelling correct
grammar, spelling errors, the writing grammar/spelling grammar/spelling errors, and very well-written
sentence style is rough and immature errors, generally mature, readable style
04
structure readable with some
rough spots in writing
style

Appearance Sections out of order, too Sections in order All sections in order, All sections in order, well-
and much-handwritten copy, contain the minimum formatting generally good formatted, very readable
formatting sloppy formatting allowable amount of but could still be
04
handwritten copy, improved
formatting is rough but
readable

PS: Make necessary conversion as per the number of laboratory experiments. Total marks including conducting laboratory experiments and report
writing are 70.

15