Center taped Rectifier

A center-tapped rectifier is a type of full-wave rectifier that uses two diodes connected to the
secondary of a center-tapped transformer. Here's the theory behind its operation
During the positive half-cycle of the input AC voltage, one of the diodes D₁ becomes forward-
biased and conduct current. The other diode D₂ is reverse-biased during this cycle, as the polarity
of the voltage prevents current from flowing through it. The current thus flows from the AC
source through D₁ and into the load resistor (R), which converts the electrical energy into another
form.
For the negative half-cycle, the input voltage polarity is reversed. Now, D₂ becomes forward-
biased and D₁ is reverse-biased. Current now flows through D₂ and again through the load resistor
R in the same direction as it did during the positive cycle.
Because the load resistor always experiences current in the same direction regardless of the input
cycle, the voltage across it is rectified. In a graphical representation, this would show a constant
polarity voltage, which corresponds to the DC output.
Bridge Full Wave Rectifier
In a bridge rectifier, four diodes are connected in a closed loop configuration to efficiently convert
the entire cycle of AC input into DC output. Here's the theory behind its operation:
When the AC input voltage is in the positive half-cycle, two of the four diodes D₁ and D2 Become
forward-biased and conduct current. The other two diodes (D₃ and D₄) are reverse-biased and do
not conduct current. The forward-biased diodes provide a path for current that flows through
the load resistor R, generating a voltage across.
In the negative half-cycle of the AC input, the polarity of the voltage across the diodes reverses.
Now, D₃ and D₄ become forward-biased and conduct, while D₁ and D₂ are reverse-biased. Despite
the change in direction of the input voltage, the current through the load resistor R still flows in
the same direction as in the positive half-cycle due to the action of the forward-biased diodes D₃
and D₄.
The result is that during both half-cycles, whether positive or negative, the current through R is
always in the same direction. The output is pulsating it is made smooth by circuit know as
pulsating DC filter.

The value of ripple factor in full wave rectifier is 0.482 while in half wave rectifier it is
about 1.21.
Ripple Factor
It's the amount of AC ripple voltage present at the output of a DC power supply, and it's usually
expressed as a percentage of the full-scale output voltage or in decibels (dB).
The formula for ripple factor (r) is given by:
r= Vrm / VDCs
Where:
• Vrms is the root mean square (RMS) value of the AC component (the ripple voltage),
• VDC is the value of the DC component (the average output voltage).