A8403 – Electronic Devices and Circuits

HANDOUT # 05
Rectifiers
Center tapped Full-wave Rectifier, Bridge Rectifier

Learning Outcomes:
After completing this session, the student will be able to
 Illustrate the operation of Center tapped Full wave Rectifier, Bridge Rectifier.
 Analyze the full wave rectifier Circuit.

Introduction:
 A full-wave rectifier converts an ac voltage into a pulsating dc voltage using both half cycles of
the applied ac voltage.
 In order to rectify both the half cycles of ac input, two diodes are used in this circuit.
 The diodes feed a common load RL with the help of a center-tap transformer.
 A center-tap transformer is the one which produces two sinusoidal waveforms of same magnitude
and frequency but out of phase with respect to the ground in the secondary winding of the
transformer.
The full wave rectifier is shown in the figure 1 below.

Fig 1: Full Wave rectifier

Operation:

Fig 2: Network conditions for the positive voltage of V i

Dr. Rajendar Sandiri, Mr. Nagarjuna Malladhi,– ECE, VCEH 1|Page

 A8403 – Electronic Devices and Circuits
HANDOUT # 05
 During the positive portion of Vi applied to the primary of the transformer, the network will
appear as shown in Figure 2 with a positive pulse across each section of the secondary coil.
 D1 assumes the short-circuit equivalent and D2 the open-circuit equivalent, as determined by the
secondary voltages and the resulting current directions.
 The output voltage appears as shown in Figure 3 above.

Figure 3: Network conditions for the positive voltage of V i

 During the negative portion of the input the network appears as shown in Figure 3 , reversing
the roles of the diodes but maintaining the same polarity for the voltage across the load resistor R
 The net effect is the same output as that appearing in Fig above with the same dc levels.

Analysis:

Let a sinusoidal voltage Vi be applied to the input of a rectifier. It is given by Vi  Vm sin t

The current though the diodes and load resistor RL is given by

i1  Im sin t for 0  t  
Vm
i1  Im sin t for   t  2 where Im 
R f  RL
1) Average (or) DC Output Current (Iav or Idc):

The average dc current Idc is given by

1 
Idc 
  id t 
0

1 
id t 


0

1 
Im sin t d t 


0

Im
  cost 0



Im


 1  1 
2Im



Dr. Rajendar Sandiri, Mr. Nagarjuna Malladhi,– ECE, VCEH 2|Page

 A8403 – Electronic Devices and Circuits
HANDOUT # 05
2Vm
Substituting the value of Im , we get Idc 
  R f  RL 
This is double that of a Half-Wave Rectifier.

2) Average (or) DC Output Voltage (Vav or Vdc):

The dc output voltage is given by

2ImRL
Vdc  Idc  RL 

2VmRL

  R f  RL 
2Vm
If RL>>Rf then Vdc 


3) R.M.S. Output Current (Irms):

The value of the R.M.S. current is given by

1
1  2
Irms    i 2d   t  
 0 
1
1  2
    Im sin t  d t  
2

 0 
1
 I 2   1  cos2t  2
 m    d   t  
  2 
0

1
 Im2  t sin2t   2
   
  2
 4 0 
1
 Im2    2
    0 
 2 
I I Vm
 m  Irms  m  or  Irms 
2 2 2  R f  RL 

4) R.M.S. Output Voltage (Vrms):

R.M.S. voltage across the load is given by

VmRL Vm
Vrms  Irms  RL  If RL  R f then Vrms 
2  R f  RL  2

Dr. Rajendar Sandiri, Mr. Nagarjuna Malladhi,– ECE, VCEH 3|Page

 A8403 – Electronic Devices and Circuits
HANDOUT # 05
5) Rectifier efficiency   :

The rectifier efficiency is defined as the ratio of d.c. output power to the a.c. input power
Pdc
i.e.,  
Pac

4Im2 RL
Pdc  I RL 
2
dc
2
Im2
Pac  Irms
2
 R f  RL   2
 R f  RL 
 
 
4I R 2
2 8  RL  8  1 
  2
m L
 2  2
 Im  R f  RL    R f  RL    Rf 
2

1 R 
 L 
0.812

R
1 f
RL
Theoretically the maximum value of rectifier efficiency of a full-wave rectifier is 81.2% when
Rf
 0 . Thus full-wave rectifier has efficiency twice that of half-wave rectifier.
RL
6) Ripple Factor ( ) :
The ripple factor,  is given by

2 2
I  V 
   rms   1  or     rms   1
 Idc   Vdc 
2 2
I     
  m   1     1    0.48
 2 2Im  2 2

7) Regulation:

The variation of Vdc with Idc for a full-wave rectifier is obtained as follows:

2Im RL 2VmRL
Vdc  Idc RL  
   R f  RL 

2Vm  R f  2Vm 2Vm  R f 

Vdc  1     
  R f  RL     R f  RL 

Dr. Rajendar Sandiri, Mr. Nagarjuna Malladhi,– ECE, VCEH 4|Page

 A8403 – Electronic Devices and Circuits
HANDOUT # 05
2Vm
Vdc   Idc R f

2Vm
Vdc noload    Idc  0

2Vm
Vdc  full load    Idc R f

The percentage regulation of the Full-wave rectifier is given by

Vnoload  V full  load

% Regualtion   100
V full load

2Vm 2V 
  m  Idc R f 

     100  Idc R f  100
2Vm Vdc
 Idc R f

Rf
% Regulation   100
RL
8) Transformer Utilization Factor (UTF):

The average TUF in full-wave rectifying circuit is determined by considering the primary and
secondary winding separately. There are two secondaries here. Each secondary is associated
with one diode. This is just similar to secondary of half-wave rectifier. Each secondary has TUF
as 0.287.

TUF of primary = Pdc / Volt-Amp rating of primary

4Im2 RL 2 4Im2 RL 2 8  RL 
TUF P      2 
2 ImVm 2 Im2  R f  RL    R f  RL 
0.812
TUF P  Rf
, If R f  RL TUF P  0.812
1
RL
TUF avg  Pdc / V  A ratingof thetransformer
TUF P  TUF S  TUF S
TUF avg 
2
0.812  0.287  0.287
TUF avg   0.693
2
9) Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV):
The network of Fig below will help us determine the net PIV for each diode for this full-wave
rectifier. Inserting the maximum voltage for the secondary voltage and Vm as established by the
adjoining loop results in

Dr. Rajendar Sandiri, Mr. Nagarjuna Malladhi,– ECE, VCEH 5|Page

 A8403 – Electronic Devices and Circuits
HANDOUT # 05
PIV  Vsec ondary  VRL
PIV  Vm  Vm  2Vm

10) Form factor (F):

The Form Factor F is defined as
rms value I / 2
F   m  1.12
average value 2 I m / 
11) Peak Factor (P):
The peak factor P is defined as
Peak Value Im
P   2
rms value Im / 2
Example 1.1
A Full-Wave rectifier circuit is fed from a transformer having a center-tapped secondary winding. The
rms voltage from either end of secondary to center tap is 30V. if the diode forward resistance is 5Ω and
that of the secondary is 10Ω for a load of 900Ω,
Calculate: i) Power delivered to load, ii) % regulation at full-load, iii) Efficiency at full-load and iv) TUF
of secondary.
Solution:
Given Vrms =30V, R f  5 , R L

Vm
But Vrms   Vm  2  Vrms  2  30  42.426V
2

Vm 42.426
Im    46.36 mA
R f  R S  R L 5  10  900

2Im 2  46.36
Idc    29.5 mA
 
Vm 30 2
Im  = = 46.36 mA.
R  R  RL 5  10  900
f S
2I 2  46.36
I  m = = 29.5mA
dc  

Dr. Rajendar Sandiri, Mr. Nagarjuna Malladhi,– ECE, VCEH 6|Page

 A8403 – Electronic Devices and Circuits
HANDOUT # 05


2
i) Power delivered to the load = I 2 R
dc L

= 29.5 103  900 = 0.783W

V V
noload full load
ii) % Regulation at full-load = 100
V
full load
2V 2  42.426
V  m = = 27.02 V.
noload  
V  I R = 29.5 x 10-3 x 900 = 26.5 V
full load dc L

27.02  26.5
% Regulation = 100 = 1.96 %
26.5
81.2 81.2
iii) Efficiency of Rectification = = = 79.8%
R R 15
f S 1
1 900
R
L
iv) TUF of secondary = DC power output / secondary ac rating

46.36
Transformer secondary rating = Vrms Irms = 30   10 3 W
2
P = I 2 RL
dc dc
0.783
 TUF = = 0.796
46.36  3
30  10
2
Example 1.2
A Full-wave rectifier circuit uses two silicon diodes with a forward resistance of 20Ω each. A dc
voltmeter connected across the load of 1kΩ reads 55.4volts. Calculate
i) IRMS,
ii) Average voltage across each diode,
iii) Ripple factor, and
iv) Transformer secondary voltage rating.
Solution:
Given Rf =20Ω, RL=1kΩ, Vdc = 55.4V
2V 55.4  
For a FWR, V  m Vm  = 86.9 V
dc  2
Vm
Im  =0.08519A
R  RL
f

Dr. Rajendar Sandiri, Mr. Nagarjuna Malladhi,– ECE, VCEH 7|Page

 A8403 – Electronic Devices and Circuits
HANDOUT # 05
I
i) Irms  m = 0.06024A
2
ii) V= 86.9/2 = 43.45V
2
I  2I m
iii) Ripple factor    rms  1 , I
dc
 =0.05423A
 I  
 dc 
I
Irms  m =0.06024A
2
  0.48
V 86.9
iv) Transformer secondary voltage rating: Vrms  m  = 61.49 Volts.
2 2
Bridge Rectifier:
 The need of the center tapped transformer in a Full-wave rectifier is eliminated in the bridge
rectifier. The bridge rectifier circuit has four diodes connected to form a bridge.
 The ac input voltage is applied to diagonally opposite ends of the bridge. The load resistance is
connected between the other two ends of the bridge.

Operation:
 During positive half cycle, ie 0 to T >2 the polarity of the input is as shown in Fig.4 The resulting
polarities across the ideal diodes are also shown in Fig. to reveal that D 2 and D 3 are conducting,
whereas D1 and D4 are in the “off” state.
 The net result is the configuration of Fig.6 with its indicated current and polarity across R . Since
the diodes are ideal, the load voltage is Vo = Vi, as shown in the same figure.

Fig 4: Full wave Bridge Rectifier

Dr. Rajendar Sandiri, Mr. Nagarjuna Malladhi,– ECE, VCEH 8|Page

 A8403 – Electronic Devices and Circuits
HANDOUT # 05

Fig.5: Conduction path for the positive region of V i

 For the negative region of the input the conducting diodes are D1 and D4 , resulting in the
configuration of Fig.6.
 The important result is that the polarity across the load resistor R is the same as in Fig.5
establishing a second positive pulse, as shown in Fig 6 .

Fig 6: Conduction path for the positive region of V i

 The input and output waveforms of a Bridge rectifier is shown in figure below

Analysis:
The average values of output voltage and load current, the rms values of voltage and current, the
ripple factor and rectifier efficiency are the same as for as center tapped full-wave rectifier.

Transformer Utilization factor (TUF):

The transformer utilization factor (TUF) of primary and secondary will be the same as there is always
through primary and secondary.

Dr. Rajendar Sandiri, Mr. Nagarjuna Malladhi,– ECE, VCEH 9|Page

 A8403 – Electronic Devices and Circuits
HANDOUT # 05
4Im2 RL 2 4I 2 R 2 8  RL 
TUF    m2 L  2  2 
2 ImVm  Im  R f  RL    R f  RL 
0.812
TUF 
Rf
, If R f  RL TUF P  0.812
1
RL
TUF avg  Pdc / V  A ratingof thetransformer
TUF P  TUF S
TUF avg 
2
0.812  0.812
TUF avg   0.812
2

Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV): The required PIV of each diode (ideal) can be determined from Fig. below
obtained at the peak of the positive region of the input signal. For the indicated loop the maximum
voltage across R is Vm and the PIV rating is defined by PIV ≥Vm
Advantages of bridge Rectifier:
 No center-tapped transformer is required.
 The TUF is considerably high.
 PIV is reduced across the diode.
Disadvantages of bridge Rectifier:
 Bridge rectifier is the use of four diodes as compared to two diodes for center-tapped FWR.This
reduces the output voltage.
Example 1.3
A bridge rectifier uses four identical diodes having forward resistance of 5Ω and the secondary voltage of
30V(rms). Determine the dc output voltage for IDC=200mA and the value of the ripple voltage.

Solution:
Given Vs rms   30V , RS  5, I dc  200 mA
2Im 200
I dc   Im   314 mA
 2
Vsm 2V rms 
But I m  
RS  2 R f  RL RS  2 R f  RL
2  30
0.314   RL  120
5  10  RL
Vdc  I dc RL  0.2 120  24 V
Vr  rms 
  Vr  rms   0.482  24  11.568V  for Bridge Retifier   0.482
Vdc

Dr. Rajendar Sandiri, Mr. Nagarjuna Malladhi,– ECE, VCEH 10 | P a g e

 A8403 – Electronic Devices and Circuits
HANDOUT # 05
Comparison of Rectifier Circuits:

Sl. Full-Wave
Parameter Half-Wave Rectifier Bridge Rectifier
No. Rectifier

1. Number of diodes 1 2 4

Im 2I m 2I m
2. Average dc current, Idc
  
V 2𝑉 2𝑉
3. Average dc voltage, Vdc
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
Im Im Im
4. RMS current, Irms
2 2 2

7. Max. rectifier efficiency (η) 40.6% 81.2% 81.2%

8. Ripple factor (γ) 1.21 0.482 0.482

9. PIV Vm 2Vm 2Vm

10. TUF 0.287 0.693 0.812

Analysis Problems
1. A 230V, 60Hz voltage is applied to the primary of a 5:1 step down, center tapped transformer
used in the Full-wave rectifier having a load of 900Ω. If the diode resistance and the secondary
coil resistance together has a resistance of 100Ω. Determine:
i) DC voltage across the load,
ii) DC current flowing through the load,
iii) DC power delivered to the load, and
iv) Ripple voltage and its frequency.
 Ans : i)18.63V ii ) 0.0207 A iii ) 0.3857 W iv) 8.98V ,120 Hz 

2. Determine the output waveform for the network of Fig. below and calculate the output dc level
and the required PIV of each diode

.  Ans : PIV  5 V 
3. A full-wave bridge rectifier with a 120-V rms sinusoidal input has a load resistor of 1 kΩ.
Dr. Rajendar Sandiri, Mr. Nagarjuna Malladhi,– ECE, VCEH 11 | P a g e
 A8403 – Electronic Devices and Circuits
HANDOUT # 05
a. If silicon diodes are employed, what is the dc voltage available at the load?
b. Determine the required PIV rating of each diode.
c. Find the maximum current through each diode during conduction.
d. What is the required power rating of each diode?
 Ans : a)107.04V b)169 V c)168.3 mA d )117.81mW 

4. Sketch V0 for the network shown below and determine the dc voltage available

References:
1. Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky: Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory; PHI, 11e, 2013.
2. Thomas L. Floyd David L. Buchla, Electronics Fundamentals - Circuits, Devices and Applications;
Pearson Education Limited, 8e, 2014.
3. James M. Fiore, Semiconductor Devices: Theory and Application, an open educational resource
(OER), Version 1.1.1, 12 May 2019.

Dr. Rajendar Sandiri, Mr. Nagarjuna Malladhi,– ECE, VCEH 12 | P a g e