I.

Objectives
1. To determine the output waveform of a half-wave rectifier circuit, full-wave bridge
type rectifier circuit, and full-wave center-tapped rectifier circuit.
2. To determine the rms/effective voltage and the average voltage of a half wave
rectifier circuit, full wave bridge type rectifier circuit and full wave center-tapped
rectifier circuit.

II. Theory of the Operation/Discussion

A rectifier is an electronic device that converts alternating current (AC) into direct current
(DC) by using one or more P-N junction diodes. This process is known as rectification. Rectifiers
can be in the form of solid-state diodes, mercury-arc valves, vacuum tube diodes, silicon-
controlled rectifiers, and various other silicon-based semiconductor switches.

Rectifiers can be classified into two types based on their output: half-wave rectifiers and
full-wave rectifiers. A half-wave rectifier circuit requires only one diode for rectification and
rectifies only half of the cycle. On the other hand, a full-wave rectifier rectifies both positive and
negative half-cycles and can be made in two types: center-tapped rectifier circuit and bridge-
type rectifier circuit.

Half-Wave Rectifier

A half-wave rectifier circuit comprises three main components - a diode, a transformer,

and a resistive load. The AC signal is given through an input transformer, which steps up or
down according to the usage. Mostly, a step-down transformer is used in rectifier circuits to
reduce the input voltage. The input signal given to the transformer is passed through a PN
junction diode, which converts the AC voltage into pulsating DC for only the positive half-cycles
of the input. A load resistor connects at the end of the circuit.

During the positive half-cycle, the diode is forward-biased and allows current through the
load which produces an output voltage across the load. Since the diode is considered to be
ideal (acts just like a closed switch), the output voltage across the load looks like the positive
half of the input AC voltage.
 Half-wave rectifiers only use one diode to convert the AC voltage into a DC voltage. So
when the voltage changes from positive to negative half-cycle, the diode is reverse-biased and
doesn’t allow current to pass. In this case, during the negative half-cycle, there’s no current that
can pass through the load so the voltage across it is zero.

In half-wave rectification, only the positive half-cycle of the input AC voltage is converted
into a DC voltage. The result across the load is pulsating DC voltage with a 60Hz frequency.

Input Waveform Output Waveform

Full-wave Rectifier

A full-wave rectifier circuit can be either center-tapped or bridge-type. The center-tap

design employs a transformer with a center-tapped secondary winding and two diodes. The
necessity of a transformer with a center-tapped secondary winding is a disadvantage of this
design.The figure below shows 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 as seen in the figure.

(Center-tapped rectifier operation during the positive half-cycle of the AC input.)

When the AC input switches to the negative half-cycle, the polarities on the secondary
winding of the center-tapped transformer are reversed, as shown in the figure below. 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.

(Center-tapped rectifier operation during the negative half-cycle of the AC input.)

During the first half-cycle, only the top diode conducts, and the bottom diode blocks
current, and the load “sees” the first half of the sine wave, positive on top and negative on
bottom. The AC polarity reverses during the next half-cycle, and the other diode and the other
half of the transformer's secondary winding carry current. However, the necessity of a
transformer with a center-tapped secondary winding is a disadvantage of this design.

The figures below show the input and output waveform of a full-wave center-tapped
transformer.
 Input Waveform

On the other hand, the full-wave bridge rectifier circuit is built around a four-diode bridge
configuration. The current travels in the same direction through the load regardless of the
polarity of the input. However, the source voltage is dropped in two diodes, which is a
disadvantage when compared to the full-wave center-tap design. This is only an issue in very
low-voltage power supplies.

During the positive half-cycle of the input, D1 and D2 are forward-biased while D3 and
D4 are reverse-biased. As you can see in the figure below, the current from the positive side of
the transformer's secondary winding flows through D1 and enters the load. This develops a
voltage across the load. From the load, the current enters D2 through the ground and then
returns to the negative side of the secondary winding.

(Bridge rectifier operation during the positive half-cycle of the AC input.)

When the AC input switches to negative half-cycle, the polarity across the secondary
winding of the transformer is reversed and also the flow of the current. This time, D1 and D2 are
reverse-biased while D3 and D4 are forward-biased. During the negative half-cycle, from the
positive side of the secondary winding, the current flows through D4 and enters the load. Notice
that the direction of the current when it enters the load is just the same on the direction during
the positive half-cycle. So the output voltage across the load is still in the same direction though
the input voltage is negative.
 (Bridge rectifier operation during the negative half-cycle of the AC input.)

From here, it can be seen that the output of a bridge full-wave rectifier is really DC, though it is
still a pulsating DC. From the load, the current enters D3 through the ground and returns to the
negative side of the secondary winding of the transformer. So the output across the load after
an entire cycle is a full-wave rectified output voltage.

Input Waveform

III. Materials and Equipment

1. Transformer 220V: 12V
2. Transformer 220V: 6V-0-6V
3. 100 ohm resistor
4. 4 1N4001 Diode
5. Oscilloscope
6. AC voltmeter
7. DC voltmeter

IV. Circuit Diagrams

 V. Procedures (Use MULTISIM Software Package)
1. Using the multimeter measure the forward resistance and the reverse resistance
of the four diodes.
2. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 1.
3. Connect an oscilloscope across the input and output of the circuit.
4. Observe the waveform and record it in Table 1.
5. Place an ac voltmeter and dc voltmeter across the load and record the readings
in Table 1
6. Compute the quantities of interest and record in Table 1
7. Repeat procedures 2-6 using Figure 2 and Figure 3
VI. Data and Results
● D1 Forward Resistance:
● D2 Forward Resistance:
● D3 Forward Resistance:
● D4 Forward Resistance:
● D1 Reverse Resistance:
● D2 Reverse Resistance:
● D3 Reverse Resistance:
● D4 Reverse Resistance:

VII. Observations

Table 1

SKETC MEASU COMPU

SKETCH MEASU MEASU COMPU
H SKETCH RED TED
SECOND RED RED TED
CIRC PRIMA OUTPUT AVERA AVERA
ARY PEAK RMS RMS
UIT RY WAVEF GE GE
VOLTAG VOLTA VOLTA VOLTA
VOLT ORM VOLTA VOLTA
E GE GE GE
AGE GE GE
Half
Wave
Rectif
ier
Circu
it
Full-
wave
center
-
tappe
d
Rectif
ier
Circu
 it
Full
Wave
Bridg
e type
Rectif
ier
Circu
it

VIII. Conclusion

The results of this laboratory activity shows the output waveform, rms/effective voltage, and the
average voltage of a half-wave rectifier circuit, full-wave bridge type rectifier circuit, and full-
wave center-tapped rectifier circuit.

Rectifiers are electronic devices that convert AC into DC. A half-wave rectifier allows only one-
half of the AC input waveform to pass through. This produces a purely positive waveform by
removing the other half of the AC input waveform or blocking the negative half-cycle. Due to the
blocked and missing half-cycle, the RMS voltage is lower than the input voltage, and the
average voltage of the half-wave rectifier is approximately half of the input voltage.

In contrast, a full-wave rectifier, both center-tapped and bridge-type, allows the whole AC input
waveform to pass through. This produces a purely positive waveform, a smoother DC output, by
inverting or changing the direction of the negative half-cycle. However, the output waveform and
RMS and average voltages of a bridge-type rectifier, as well as the half-wave rectifier, are
higher than that of a center-tapped rectifier. This is because the half-wave and bridge-type
rectifiers utilizes the entire input voltage, while in the center-tapped rectifier, there is a center tap
(additional wire) connected at the exact middle of the secondary winding that divides the input
voltage into two parts.

A half-wave rectifier is also simpler and less expensive to construct and use than a full-wave
rectifier, which is more complex and expensive. However, a full-wave rectifier is a better option
when it comes to efficiency because it uses all of the AC power as opposed to a half-wave
rectifier, which only uses half of it. Thus, the choice of rectifier circuit depends on the specific
application and requirements.

IX. Questions and Answers

1. Does the measured average voltage and computed average voltage the same? Why?

The measured average voltage and computed average voltage are not the same.
The measured average voltage is obtained by getting the average of multiple voltage
readings at different times which is dependent on the accuracy of voltage readings and
device used. In contrast, the computed average voltage is calculated using mathematical
operations based on a waveform or signal, and it is presumptively assumed that the
signal is ideal, that is error-free and devoid of any noise or distortion. The difference
between the observed and computed average voltage, however, should be relatively
small if the measurements are done properly and the waveform is generally stable.
 2. Does the measured rms voltage and computed rms voltage the same? Why?

Similar to average voltage, the measured RMS voltage and computed RMS
voltage are not always the same, but should be very close to each other.

The voltage waveform sampled over time by a device, such as an oscilloscope or

a digital multimeter, and a mathematical formula are used to determine the RMS voltage
and value. The accuracy of the device, as well as any noise or signal distortion, may
affect this reading. On the other hand, the computed RMS voltage is determined using
mathematical calculations based on an assumed ideal waveform that is flawless and
free of any noise or distortion.

3. If D1 and D2 are replaced with resistors R1 and R2 with value 2Ro and 3Ro,
respectively, sketch the output waveform and compute the average voltage of the circuit.
Ro is the output resistance in the bridge type rectifier circuit.

If the diodes D1 and D2 in a bridge rectifier circuit are replaced with resistors R1
and R2, the resulting circuit will be a voltage divider that splits the input voltage across
the resistors. The output waveform of the circuit will be a half-wave rectified waveform,
with a peak voltage equal to the input voltage and a period equal to half of the input AC
waveform.

Assuming that the input AC waveform has a peak voltage of Vp, the resistors R1 and R2
have values of 2Ro and 3Ro respectively, and the output resistance of the circuit is Ro,
the output voltage of the circuit can be calculated as follows:

During the positive half-cycle of the input waveform, current flows through R2 and the
load, producing an output voltage equal to the voltage drop across the load, which is
Vout = (3Ro / (3Ro + Ro)) * Vp = 0.75 * Vp.

During the negative half-cycle of the input waveform, current flows through R1 and the
load, producing an output voltage equal to the voltage drop across the load, which is
Vout = (2Ro / (2Ro + Ro)) * (-Vp) = -0.67 * Vp.

Therefore, the output waveform is a half-wave rectified waveform with a peak voltage of
0.75Vp and a period equal to half of the input AC waveform.

To calculate the average voltage of the circuit, we can use the formula for the average
value of a half-wave rectified waveform, which is Vavg = (2 / pi) * Vp = 0.637 * Vp. This
is the same formula used to calculate the average voltage of a half-wave rectifier circuit.

Therefore, the average voltage of the circuit with resistors R1 and R2 is 0.637 times the
peak voltage of the input AC waveform.

X. Documentations
XI. References

https://byjus.com/physics/rectifier/
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/semiconductors/chpt-3/rectifier-circuits/
https://www.circuitbread.com/tutorials/bridge-full-wave-rectifier-operation
https://www.circuitbread.com/tutorials/center-tapped-full-wave-rectifier-operation
https://www.circuitbread.com/tutorials/half-wave-rectifier-in-a-power-supply
https://www.electronics-lab.com/article/full-wave-rectifier-and-bridge-rectifier/
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/electronic_circuits/electronic_circuits_full_wave_rectifier.htm
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/electronic_circuits/electronic_circuits_rectifiers.htm