Lecture – 4

• Full wave rectifier

• Mathematical Exercise of Full wave rectifier.
• Special purpose Diode ( Zener Diode )
• Mathematical exercise of Zener Diode.
Full- Wave Rectifier ( Circuit Details )
Full wave Rectifier ( cont. )
 Full-Wave Rectifier (Cont.)
• Advantages:
(i) The need for centre-tapped
transformer is eliminated.
(ii) The output is twice that of
the centre-tap circuit for the
same secondary voltage.
(iii) The PIV is one-half that of
the centre-tap circuit (for
same d.c. output).
• Disadvantages:
(i) It requires four diodes.
(ii) As during each half-cycle
of a.c. input two diodes that
conduct are in series,
therefore, voltage drop in the
internal resistance of the
rectifying unit will be twice as
great as in the centre tap
circuit. This is objectionable
when secondary voltage is
small.
Question : A full-wave rectifier uses two diodes, the internal resistance of each diode may
be assumed constant at 20Ω. The transformer r.m.s. secondary voltage from centre tap to
each end of secondary is 50 V and load resistance is 980 Ω. Find :
(i) the mean load current (ii) the r.m.s. value of load current
 Special Purpose Diode ( Zener Diode )

Definition:

A properly doped crystal diode

which has a sharp breakdown
voltage is known as a zener
diode.
 Zener Diode ( Cont. )
• Characteristics of Zener Diode:
(i) A zener diode is like an ordinary diode except
that it is properly doped so as to have a sharp
breakdown voltage.

(ii) A zener diode is always reverse connected i.e. it

is always reverse biased.

(iii) A zener diode has sharp breakdown voltage,

called zener voltage Vz.
Question: For the circuit shown in Fig .(i), find :
(i) the output voltage (ii) the voltage drop across series resistance
(iii) the current through zener diode.
Thank You