EXPERIMENT – 5

OBJECTIVE
1) Implement full wave rectifier circuit (centre):
a) Without using capacitor
b) Using capacitor
2) Implement full wave rectifier circuit (bridge):
a) Without using capacitor.
b) Using capacitor

SIMULATION ENVIRONMENT USED

Proteus 8 demonstration version.

Theory
Introduction
A Full wave rectifier is a circuit arrangement which makes use of both
half cycles of input alternating current (AC) and converts them to
direct current (DC). A full wave rectifier is much more efficient
(double+) than a half wave rectifier. This process of converting both
half cycles of the input supply (alternating current) to direct current
(DC) is termed full wave rectification.
Full wave rectifier can be constructed in 2 ways. The first method
makes use of a centre tapped transformer and 2 diodes. This
arrangement is known as Centre Tapped Full Wave Rectifier.
The second method uses a normal transformer with 4 diodes
arranged as a bridge. This arrangement is known as a Bridge
Rectifier.
1. Centre Tapped Full Wave Rectifier
In the case of centre-tap full wave rectifier, only two diodes are
used, and are connected to the opposite ends of a centre-tapped
secondary transformer as shown in the figure below. The centre-
tap is usually considered as the ground point or the zero voltage
reference point.

Fig1.: Centre Tap Full Wave Rectifier Circuit

Working of Centre-Tap Full Wave Rectifier

As shown in the figure, an ac input is applied to the primary coils

of the transformer. This input makes the secondary ends P1 and
P2 become positive and negative alternately. For the positive half
of the ac signal, the secondary point D1 is positive, GND point will
have zero volt and P2 will be negative. At this instant diode D1 will
be forward biased and diode D2 will be reverse biased. The diode
D1 will conduct and D2 will not conduct during the positive half
cycle. Thus, the positive half cycle appears across the load
resistance RL.
2. Bridge Tapped Full Wave Rectifier
In the circuit diagram, 4 diodes are arranged in the form of a
bridge. The transformer secondary is connected to two
diametrically opposite points of the bridge at points A & C. The
load resistance RL is connected to bridge through points B and D.

Fig.2: Bridge Tap Full Wave Rectifier

Working of Bridge-Tap Full Wave Rectifier

During the first half cycle of the input voltage, the upper end of
the transformer secondary winding is positive with respect to the
lower end. Thus, during the first half cycle diodes D1 and D3 are
forward biased and current flows through arm AB, enters the load
resistance RL. During this half of each input cycle, the diodes
D2 and D4 are reverse biased and current is not allowed to flow in
arms AD and BC.
During the second half cycle of the input voltage, the lower end of
the transformer secondary winding is positive with respect to the
upper end. Thus, diodes D2 and D4 become forward biased and
current flows through arm CB, enters the load resistance RL.
Calculation of Ripple Factor
All rectifier outputs contain considerable amount of ripple in addition
to the DC component. In order to avoid AC components, a filter is
connected at the output of the rectifier. Capacitor input filter, choke
input filter, RC, CRC, LC, and CLC filters are the usually used filters.
Capacitor input filter is the simplest and cheapest. A high value
capacitor C is connected in shunt with the load resistor. Capacitor
charges to peak voltage when the half cycle appears at the output.
After the peak value is passed, the capacitor discharges through the
load resistor slowly since the diode is reverse biased by the capacitor
voltage. Before the capacitor voltage drops substantially, next output
cycle arrives and the capacitor recharges to peak.
1. Circuit without Capacitor
Vm
V rms =
√2
2V m
V dc =
π

V r ,rms =√ V 2rms −V 2dc =0.308 V m

V r ,rms
Ripple factor, r = V dc
=0.483

2. Circuit with Capacitor

V rpp
V rms =
2 √3
V rpp
V dc =V m −
2
Vm
where, V rpp =
2 RfC

For a full wave rectifier, the ripple factor is also expressed as a

function of capacitance and load resistance.
1
r=
4 √ 3 f R LC
CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS
Full wave rectifier without filter:
 Fig.3: Centred Tap

Fig.4: Bridge Tap

Fig.5: Waveform

Full wave rectifier with filter:

Fig.6: Centre Tap

Fig.7: Bridge Tap

Fig.8: Waveform
OBSERVATIONS
1. Centre Tap Full Wave Rectifier
a. Without using capacitor

The peak voltage of output is found to be equal to 6.35 Volt.

Thus, V m =6.35V
Vm
V rms = =4.49 V
√2
2V m
V dc = =4.04 V
π

V r ,rms =√ V rms −V dc =1.95 V

2 2

V r ,rms 1.95
Ripple factor, r = V dc
=
4.04
≈ 0.483

b. Using capacitor
The peak voltage of output is found to be equal to 6.35 Volt.
Thus, V m =6.35V
V
From Graph, V rpp = 2 RfC
m
=0.64 V
V rpp
V dc =V m − =6.03 V
2
V rpp
V r ,rms = =0.18 V
2√ 3
V r ,rms 1.95
Ripple factor, r = V dc
=
4.04
≈ 0.03

1
Theoretically, r=
4 √ 3 f R L C =0.03

2. Bridge Tape Full Wave Rectifier

a. Without using capacitor

The peak voltage of output is found to be equal to 4.28 Volt.

Thus, V m =4.28 V
Vm
V rms = =3.02V
√2
2V m
V dc = =2.72V
π

V r ,rms =√ V 2rms −V 2dc =1.32V

V r ,rms 1.32
Ripple factor, r = V dc
=
2.72
≈ 0.483

b. Using capacitor
 V r ,rms
Since, Ripple factor r = V dc

V m= 4.28 V
From Graph, V rpp =4.28−3.95=0.33 V
V rpp 0.33
V dc =V m − =4.28− =4.21 V
2 2
V 0.33
Since, V r ,rms = 2 rpp3 = 2 =0.09 V
√ √3
V r ,rms
Hence, r = V dc
=0.021

1
Theoretically, r = 4 √ 3 fRC =0.03

RESULT
The ripple factor for centre tapped full wave rectifier:
A. Without capacitor is 0.483.
B. With capacitor is 0.03.

The ripple factor for bridge tap full wave rectifier

A. Without capacitor is 0.483
B. With capacitor is 0.021