Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Analog Electronics I Lab

Lab 2: Diode Rectifier Circuits

A. Objective
Study of different types of Half-wave and Full-wave Rectifiers.
B. Background
A rectifier converts an AC signal into a DC signal. From the characteristic curve of a diode we observe
that if allows the current to flow when it is in the forward bias only. In the reverse bias it remains open. So,
when an alternating voltage (signal) is applied across a diode it allows only the half cycle (positive half cycle
depending on the orientation of diode in the circuit) during its forward bias condition, other half cycle will be
clipped off. In the output the load will get DC signal.

Diode rectifier can be categorized in two major types:

1. Half-wave rectifier, and
2. Full-wave rectifier

Half -wave rectifier

Half-wave rectifier can be built by using a single diode. The circuit diagram and the wave shapes of the
input and output voltage of half wave rectifier are shown in Fig.3.1.

Figure 3.1: Half-wave rectifier circuit and response

The major disadvantages of half wave rectifier are:

1. In this circuit the load receives approximately half of input power.
2. Average DC voltage is low.
3. Due to the presence of ripple output voltage is not smooth one.

Full-wave rectifier
In the full-wave rectifier both the half cycle is present in the output. Two circuits are used as full-wave
rectifier are shown below-
a) Full-wave rectifier using center-tapped transformer.
b) Full-wave bridge rectifier.

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Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Analog Electronics I Lab

Full-wave rectifier using center-tapped transformer: two diodes will be connected to the ends of the
transformer and the load will be between the diode and center tap. The circuit diagram and the wave shapes
are shown in Fig. 3.2.

Figure 3.2: Full Wave Rectifier Using Center Tapped Transformer

Full-wave rectifier using center-tapped transformer circuit has some advantages over full-wave bridge
rectifier:
1. Wastage of power is less.
2. Average DC output increase significantly.
3. Wave shape becomes smoother.

The disadvantages of full-wave rectifier using center-tapped transformer are:

1. Require more space and becomes bulky because of the transformer.
2. Not cost effective (for using transformer).

Full-wave bridge rectifier

A bridge rectifier overcomes all the disadvantages of center tapped full-wave rectifier. Here four
diodes will be connected as bridge connection. The circuit diagram and the wave shapes are shown in Fig3.3.

Figure 3.3: Full Wave Bridge Rectifier

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Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Analog Electronics I Lab

This rectifier however cannot produce a smooth DC voltage. It produces some ripple in the output. This ripple
can be reducing by using filter capacitor across the load.
C. Apparatus

Components Instruments
Resistor : 110 k Signal Generator
Capacitor : 10.22 Oscilloscope
110 Trainer Board
Diode : 11N4007 Digital Multimeter (DMM)
Connecting Wires & Probes

D. Schematics

Figure 3.4: Half-wave rectifier Figure 3.5: Full wave bridge rectifier

E. Procedure
1. Connect the circuit in breadboard as shown in figure 3.4 without capacitor.
2. Observe the output and input voltages in the oscilloscope and draw them.
3. Connect the 0.22F capacitor and repeat step 2.
4. Connect the 10F capacitor and repeat step 2. How does the output wave-shape differ from that in
step 3?
5. Vary the frequency from 10 kHz to 100 Hz. What effects do you observe when frequency is changed?
6. Connect the circuit breadboard as shown in figure 3.5 without capacitor.
7. Observe the output and input voltages in the oscilloscope and draw them.
8. Connect the 0.22F capacitor and repeat step 7.
9. Connect the 10F capacitor and repeat step 7. How does the output wave-shape differ from that in
step 8?
10. Vary the frequency from 10 KHz to 100 Hz. What effects do you observe when frequency is changed?

F. Report
1. Write the answers that were asked during the working procedure.
2. Draw the input wave, output wave (without and with capacitor) for both the circuits.
3. What is the effect in output for changing input signal frequency for both the circuits (without and with
capacitor)?

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Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Analog Electronics I Lab

4. What is the function of capacitor in the both circuits? Why a capacitor of higher value is preferable?
5. Add the Multisim simulation waveforms of all the experimental circuits.

Figure 1: VS and Vout of Half-wave rectifier without capacitor

Channel 1
Volts/Div =
Time/Div =

Channel 2
Volts/Div =
Time/Div =

Figure 2: VS and Vout of Half-wave rectifier with 0.22F capacitor

Channel 1
Volts/Div =
Time/Div =

Channel 2
Volts/Div =
Time/Div =

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Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Analog Electronics I Lab

Figure 3: VS and Vout of Half-wave rectifier with 10F capacitor

Channel 1
Volts/Div =
Time/Div =

Channel 2
Volts/Div =
Time/Div =

Ripple Voltage of Half-wave Rectifier

0.22F capacitor 10F capacitor

Figure 4: VS and Vout of Full-wave bridge rectifier without capacitor

Channel 1
Volts/Div =
Time/Div =

Channel 2
Volts/Div =
Time/Div =

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Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Analog Electronics I Lab

Figure 5: VS and Vout of Full-wave bridge rectifier with 0.22F capacitor

Channel 1
Volts/Div =
Time/Div =

Channel 2
Volts/Div =
Time/Div =

Ripple Voltage of Full-wave bridge Rectifier

0.22F capacitor 10F capacitor

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Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Analog Electronics I Lab

Figure 6: VS and Vout of Full-wave bridge rectifier with 10F capacitor

Channel 1
Volts/Div =
Time/Div =

Channel 2
Volts/Div =
Time/Div =

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