University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Spring 2021

LAB 3: RECTIFIERS AND FILTERS

Name : ALISHA AAS Date : 21-06-2021
Reg-No : 2020-MC-20
-OBJECTIVES:
 To implement a half wave rectifier.
 To implement a full wave rectifier.
 To study the effect of filter capacitors on rectifier output.

SUGGESTED READING:
 Class Lectures 5, 6
 Chapter 3: “Diode Applications”, introductory Electronic Devices and
Circuits by Paynter.
 Datasheet : 1N4007 rectifier diode
 http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/diode/diode_5.html
 http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_3/chpt_3/4.html
 http://www.falstad.com/circuit/e-fullrect.html

Please read through all the suggested reading before you come to lab.

EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENTS:

 Basic Circuits Training Board
 1N4007 Rectifier Diode
 Light Emitting Diode
 Jumper Wires
 Palm Scope / DMM
 Electrolyte Capacitors (1uF, 2.2uF, 10uF, 100uF)
 Voltage Transformer
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Rectification:
Rectification is a process of converting AC signals into DC signals. Rectification
can be performed using diodes in series with the voltage source. There are two
main types of diode rectifiers:
- Half wave rectifiers
- Full wave rectifiers

MCT-122: ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUITS

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Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T Lahore
LAB 3
 University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Spring 2021

Half Wave Rectifiers:

Fig 3.1: Half Wave Rectifier

A single diode connected in series with an AC voltage source forms a half wave
rectifier (Fig 3.1).The diode conducts in only positive or only negative half cycle,
depending on its orientation in the circuit (Fig 3.2).

Fig 3.2: Half Wave Rectifier Output

MCT-122: ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUITS

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Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T Lahore
LAB 3
 University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Spring 2021

The output of a half wave rectifier is described by:

 VAV = Vmax/π
 VRMS = Vmax/2

Full Wave Bridge Rectifier:

Full wave rectifiers can be made using four diodes in a bridge configuration (Fig
3.3).

Fig 3.3: Full Wave Bridge Rectifier

The bridge rectifiers are the mostly commonly used bridge rectifiers due to high average output
and fewer variations in output.

MCT-122: ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUITS

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Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T Lahore
LAB 3
 University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Spring 2021

Procedure:
TASK1:
Connect one rectifier in
series with the AC output
from the 12V transformer
to make the positive half
wave rectifier.
Using palm-scope view
the input and output
signals and record the
maximum value of the
output.
Connect the diode in opposite polarity to make the negative half wave
rectifier and record the maximum value of the output.
TASK2:
Connect four diodes in the bridge configuration:

Analy
ze the
output by
viewing
it via
palm-
scope.
Recor
d the

maximum value of the output.

Repeat the process and record the values of input voltage, output voltage, current
through diode, and current through load.

TASK3:

MCT-122: ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUITS

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Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T Lahore
LAB 3
 University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Spring 2021

Re-connect the circuit in half wave diode rectifier configuration.

Connect a small (1uF) capacitor with the output and observe the effect of the
capacitor on the output.
Connect increasingly larger values of capacitors and observe their effects on the
rectifier outputs.
Now vary the load resistance and observe the effects on the rectifier output.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:
Q: What rectifier would you prefer to use, and why?
Ans: I’d prefer to use full wave rectifiers because full wave rectifiers have some fundamental
advantages over their half wave rectifier counterparts. The average (DC) output voltage is higher
than for half wave, the output of the full wave rectifier has much less ripple than that of the half
wave rectifier producing a smoother output waveform.

Q: Write down the average and RMS values of both rectifier outputs.
Ans: For Half wave:
Vav = Vmax/π Vrms = Vmax/2
For Full wave:
Vav = 2 Vmax/π Vrms = Vmax/√2

Q: Describe five applications where rectifiers are used.

Ans: There are five applications:
1. A rectifier is used for powering appliances.
2. These are used with transformers.
3. It is used for modulation.
4. It is used in voltage multiplier.

MCT-122: ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUITS

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Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T Lahore
LAB 3
 University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Spring 2021

5. It is also used in AM radio.

Q: Describe the effects of filter capacitance on the rectifier output.

Ans: The rectifier output is constantly fluctuating.
The application of filter capacitance gives us a comparatively steadier output DC because of its
charging and discharging process.

Q: What are the dangers involved while working with high voltage and rectification?
Ans: While working with high valued voltage rectification we have to take the power ratings of
the circuit into consideration because High voltage can harm the circuit and its components.

COMMENTS:
Studied half wave and full wave rectified circuits.

MCT-122: ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUITS

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Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T Lahore
LAB 3