In our previous discussion about rectifiers,

we discussed full-wave rectifiers and how

they are different from half-wave rectifiers.

We also discussed one type of full-wave rectifier,

the bridge full-wave rectifier and learned

how it operates to rectify both positive and

negative half-cycles of the AC input.

In this tutorial, we will discuss the second

type of full-wave rectifier, the center-tapped

full-wave rectifier, and review how it operates.

The reason why this type of full-wave rectifier

is called a center-tapped rectifier is because

it uses a center-tapped transformer.

If you noticed in the schematic diagrams that

we showed in the half-wave and bridge full-wave

rectifier tutorials, you can see that the

transformer has only a single winding on the

secondary side.

So if we want to create a power supply that

uses a half-wave or bridge full-wave rectifier,

we just use transformers that only have a

single winding on the secondary side.

Transformers may have different numbers of

windings on their primary and secondary sides.

Some transformers only have a single winding

on their primary and secondary sides but most

of the transformers I’ve encountered have

multiple windings on both sides.

For example, the Triad Magnetics VPS24-5400

that we used in other tutorials, it uses dual

winding on both sides and can be configured

to have a series or parallel configuration.

If you’re interested to learn how to wire

transformers, we have done a tutorial on that,

you can check it out on our website CircuitBread.com 

For a center-tapped transformer, this type

of transformer is designed to produce two

secondary voltages with a common connection

at the center of the secondary winding.

So the two voltages are the same and they

can also provide the same power.

From one end to the center tap, the voltage

is half of the total secondary voltage, which

you can see by inspection.

In this image, you can see how a center-tapped

transformer is connected to a center-tapped

full-wave rectifier.

One of the differences between center-tapped

and bridge rectifier is the numbers of diodes

used to rectify both positive and negative

half-cycles of the AC input.

A bridge rectifier uses 4 diodes while a center-tapped

rectifier uses only 2 diodes. 

So let’s discuss how a center-tapped full-wave

rectifier operates.

You can see the polarities on the secondary

winding of a center-tapped transformer during

the positive half-cycle of the AC input.

In this case, D1 is forward-biased while D2

is reverse-biased.

So the current flows through D1 and enters

the load, then returns to the transformer

through the center-tap connection. 

When the AC input switches to the negative

half-cycle, the polarities on the secondary

winding of the center-tapped transformer are

reversed.

So this time D1 is reverse-biased and D2 is

forward-biased.

The current flows through D2 and enters into

the load in the same direction as it entered

during the positive half-cycle of the AC input,

then returns to the transformer through the

center-tap connection.

Since the current entered the load in the

same direction in both positive and negative

half cycles, the voltage across the load is

a full-wave rectified DC voltage.

But it’s still a pulsating DC which needs

to be filtered before using as a DC power

supply.

The same with the bridge full-wave rectifier,

the average value of a full-wave rectified

voltage can be determined by the equation

V average equals two times the peak voltage

divided by pi.

The peak output voltage of a center-tapped

full-wave rectifier is only equal to the half

of the transformer secondary voltage minus

the forward voltage of the diode.

If you’re going to check the current flow

during the positive and negative half-cycle

of the AC input, you will notice the load

only sees half of the transformer secondary

voltage and not the total secondary voltage.

So to determine the peak output voltage across

the load, check what is half of the transformer

secondary voltage and use the equation V peak

out is equal to V peak secondary over two,

minus .7 volts.

Now for the peak inverse voltage (PIV) of

the diodes in a center-tapped full-wave rectifier,

let’s assume that the AC input is in the

positive half-cycle.

So D1 conducts with a 0.7V diode drop while

D2 is reverse-biased.

By using Kirchhoff’s voltage law we get

that the PIV is equal to the Voltage peak

on the secondary, minus the .7V diode voltage

drop.

So the PIV that D2 (or D1 during negative

half-cycle) must withstand while in reverse-bias

condition is equal to the secondary voltage

of the center-tapped transformer minus one

diode drop.

In this tutorial, we’ve discussed center-tapped

full-wave rectifiers and their operation.

We’ve also discussed briefly how a center-tapped

transformer is designed.

I hope you’ve found this tutorial interesting

or helpful.

If you have any questions or comments, leave

it in the comments below or go to CircuitBread.com.

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