RECTIFIERS AND FILTERS

Objective

The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate the operation of a half-wave

rectifier, a full-wave bridge rectifier and a capacitor filter and to explain and
analyze its operation.

Materials

• Function Generator

• Oscilloscope

• Digital Multimeter

• Terminal Post

• 2-post connectors

• Semiconductor Devices Circuit Board

• Probe alligator cable

Discussion of Theory

Rectifier

The Half Wave and Full Wave Rectifier have significant differences. A rectifier
converts AC voltage into Pulsating DC voltage. A Half-Wave rectifier is an
electronic circuit which converts only one-half of the AC cycle into pulsating DC.
It utilizes only half of AC cycle for the conversion process. On the other hand,
Full wave rectifier is an electronic circuit which converts entire cycle of AC into
Pulsating DC.

The Half-Wave Rectifier is unidirectional; it means it will allow the conduction in

one direction only. That’s why either it can convert positive half only or
negative half only into DC voltage. This is the reason that it is called Half Wave
Rectifier. While Full-wave Rectifier, is bi-directional, it conducts for positive half
as well as negative half of the cycle. Thus, it is termed as full wave rectifier.
Definition of Half Wave Rectifier
Half Wave Rectifier circuit consists of a single diode and a step-down
transformer, the high voltage AC will be converted into low voltage AC with the
help of step-down transformer. After this, a diode connected in the circuit will
be forward biased for positive half of AC cycle and will be reversed biased
during negative half. When the diode is forward biased, it acts as a short

Figure 1: Half-Wave Rectifier

circuit, while when it is reversed biased it acts as an open circuit.

This is because of the connection architecture of the circuit. The P-terminal of
the diode is connected with the secondary winding of transformer and N-
terminal of the diode is connected with the load resistor.

Thus, the diode conducts during the positive half of AC cycle.

While it will not conduct during the negative half of AC cycle. Thus, the voltage
drop across the load resistor will appear only for the positive half of AC. During
negative half of AC cycle, we will get zero DC voltage.

When the output voltage of the half-wave rectifier is measured using a dc

roltmeter, the value that will be obtained is called the average voltage. It can be
computed using the following formula:

Vp Vavg
=
π

Definition of Full Wave Rectifier

Full Wave Rectifier consists of two diodes and one step down transformer
which is centre tapped. The P-terminal of the diodes is connected to the
secondary winding of the transformer. The N-terminals of both the diodes are
connected to the centre tapping point of the secondary winding, and they are
also connected to load terminal.

When positive half of AC cycle passes through transformer primary winding,

then due to mutual induction the top of the secondary winding becomes
positive while the bottom of the secondary winding becomes negative.

The P-terminal of diode D1 is connected to the positive voltage which makes

the diode to operate in forward biased region. At the same time diode D2
becomes reverse biased, due to the negative voltage at the bottom of the
secondary winding.
Thus, for the positive half cycle of AC, only diode D1 conducts, and diode D2
does not conduct.Thus, when the negative half cycle of AC passes through the
primary winding of transformer then due to mutual induction the top of the
secondary winding of transformer becomes negative and bottom of the
secondary

Figure 2: Full-Wave Rectifier

windings become positive.

Now, diode D2 will be forward biased, and diode D1 will be reverse biased.
Thus, DC voltage will be obtained for positive half of AC cycle as well as for
negative half of AC cycle. Thus, it is called full wave as it conducts for the full
cycle of AC.

The center-tapped transformer supplies cunent on both half-sycles of the input

voltage, and the two diodes conduct on alternate half-cycles. The peak voltage
of the output wavefom for a center-tapped transformer is computed as:

Vp = Vs/2 − 0.7

Bridge tectifiers (Figure 5-2b) on the other hand, require four diodes. When the
bridge is in operation, a pair of diodes operates at a time. During the positive
alternation, D2 and D3 conduct, while D4 and D1 are off. During the negative
alternation, D4 and D1 conduct, while D2 and D3 are off. The peak voltage for
the circuit can be computed as:

VP = VS − 0.7

Because there are two pulses for one complete cycle of the input waveform, the
output pulse frequency of a full-wave rectifier is twice that of the input
frequency.
For a full-wave circuit, the average value for rectiffed sinusoidal voltage is twice
that of the half-wave, since the number of positive alternations that makes up
the fullwave rectified voltage is twice that of the half-wave voltage for the same
time interval as shown in the following formula:
Key Differences Between Half Wave and Full Wave Rectifier

1. The significant key difference between half wave and full wave rectifier is
efficiency. Half wave rectifier is a low-efficiency rectifier while the full
wave is a high-efficiency rectifier. Thus, it is always better to use full wave
when we are working on the highly efficient application.

2. The centre tapping also differs in half wave and full wave rectifier. Half
wave rectifier does not require centre tapping of the secondary winding
of transformer while full wave requires centre tapping of the secondary
winding of the transformer.

3. The requirement of components varies in Half Wave and Full Wave

Rectifier. Full wave requires more electronic components as compared to
half wave. Thus, full wave rectifier is costly as compared to half wave. Full
wave requires double the number of diodes.

4. The losses due to saturation of DC core in half wave and full wave
rectifiers also create the significant difference. The half wave possesses
DC saturation of core, but this problem can be overcome in the full wave
circuit.

5. The full wave circuitry does not possess DC saturation of transformer core
because the current in the secondary winding flows in two halves of the
secondary winding of the transformer and in opposite directions.
Filter
A power supply filter ideally eliminates the fluctuations in the output voltage of
a half-wave or full-wave rectifier and produces a constant-level dc voltage.
Filtering is necessary because electronic circuits require a constant source of dc
voltage and current to provide power and biasing for proper operation. Filters
are implemented with capacitors, as you will see in this section. Voltage
regulation in power supplies is usually done with integrated circuit voltage
regulators. A voltage regulator prevents changes in the filtered dc voltage due
to variations in input voltage or load.

Figure 3: Bridge Rectifier with capacitor filter

In most power supply applications, the standard 60 Hz ac power line voltage

must be converted to an approximately constant dc voltage. The 60 Hz
pulsating dc output of a half-wave rectifier or the 120 Hz pulsating output of a
full-wave rectifier must be filtered to reduce the large voltage variations. Figure
2–42 illustrates the filtering concept showing a nearly smooth dc output voltage
from the filter. The small amount of fluctuation in the filter output voltage is
called ripple.
 Figure 4: Output of a filter circuit

The difference between the minimum DC voltage and the maximum DC voltage
in the filtering stage is called the voltage ripple, or just ripple, which is usually
measured as a percentage of the average voltage. For example, a 10% ripple in
a 5∨ power supply means that the actual output voltage varies by 0.5 V. The
filter capacitor must usually be large to provide an acceptable level of filtering.
For a typical 5 V power supply, a 2,200µF electrolytic capacitor will do the job.
The bigger the capacitor, the lower the resulting ripple voltage.

Procedure

Objective A

Demonstrate the operation of a half-wave rectifier using actual circuit

connections.
A1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure below using the DIODES AND 1/2
WAVE RECTIFICATION circuit block. A2. Place CH1 of the oscilloscope across
Vs. Adjust the Function
Gen until a 10 Vpk−pk,1kHz sine wave signal is observed at the oscilloscope
display,

Figure 5: Half-wave circuit connection

A3. Connect CH2 of the oscilloscope at the output of the circuit

(across R2). Record the amplitude and the frequency of the output waveform.
V outpp =
fout = A4.
Draw the waveform.
 Figure 6: Output waveform of a half-wave rectifier

Based on the appearance of the output waveform, is the circuit a positive or a

negative half-wave rectifier? Why did you say so?

Observe the amplitude (Vpp) of the input and output waveforms. Notice that
the two readings differe slightly. What accounts for the difference in value and
why?

A5. Set the DMM to DC volts and measure the average output voltage.
V outavg(measured) = 1.36 V A6. Compute the
average output voltage using the output voltage measured in A3.
V outavg = V outpp/π = Compare the computed

and measured values of the average output voltage. (Consider a ±10%

tolerance).

A7. Next, move the probe across R1. Notice the orientation of the diode (CR1)
in this connection. Push Autoset on the oscilloscope. What happens to the
waveform when the direction of the diode is reversed?
Objective B

Demonstrate the operation of a full-wave bridge rectifier using actual circuit

connections.

B1. Locate the FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION WITH POWER SUPPLY FILTERS circuit
block. Connect the circuit as shown in the figure below.

B2. Connect CH1 of the oscilloscope across the Function Gen and
CH2 across the secondary terminals of T1(pt. A). B3. Adjust the

Figure 7: Full-Wave Rectification with power Supply Filter

Function Gen for a 20Vpk − pk,100 Hz sine wave signal and then measure the
transformer secondary voltage. Write the values below.
Vprimary = ____Vsecondary = ____
Compare the secondary voltage reading to the primary voltage reading using
the oscilloscope. Is the transformer connected to your circuit a step-down or a
step-up? Explain.

B4. Move CH2 at the output of the circuit (across R1) and determine the
amplitude of the output voltage. Note: The negative terminal of the
oscilloscope probe must be connected to the opposite terminal of resistor R1.
Record the amplitude and the frequency of the output waveform.
 Vout = ____fout = ____

B5. Draw the output waveform.

Figure 8: Output waveform for B5

B6. Set the DMM to DC volts and measure the average output voltage.

V outavg(measured) = ____

B7. Compute the average output voltage using the output voltage measured in
B4.

V outavg = 2V outpp/π = ____

Objective C

Demonstrate the operation of a capacitor filter connected at the output of a

bridge rectifier circuit.
C1. Connect the circuit as shown in below. Adjust the Function Gen for a 20
Vpk-pk, 100Hz sine wave signal. Connect CH2 at the output terminal (across
R2). Slowly change the vertical sensitivity (volts/div) setting of the oscilloscope
to see the ripples.
 Figure 9: Bridge Rectifier with Filter Capacitor C2. Draw the

waveform, indicate the amplitude.

V r(p − p) = ____

Figure 10: Output waveform for C2

C3. Set the DMM to DC volts and measure the average output voltage.
V outavg(measured) = ____
C4. Connect another capacitor C2 parallel to C1. Change the vertical sensitivity
(vots/div) of the oscilloscope to see the ripples.
Indicate the amplitude of the ripple voltage.

V r(p − p) = ____
C5. Set the DMM to DC volts and measure the average output voltage.
V outavg(measured) = ____

What causes the ripple voltage at the output of a capacitor filter?

Discuss the effect of adding a capacitor filter to a rectifier circuit.

C6. Remove R2 and connect R3. What happened to the output waveform?
What effect does the value of the load have on the output waveform?
C7. Increase the frequency of the input signal and record your observations.
What effect does the frequency have on the output waveform?

C8. Turn OFF all power sources.

Objective D

Demonstrate the output of a half-wave rectifier using circuit simulations.

1. Run the LTspiceIV program.

2. Start a new project (File >> New Schematic).

3. Complete the circuit given below.

Figure 11: Schematic Diagram for Simulation

4. Place two voltage probes, one at the input side and another at the output
side.

5. Click on "Run" to start the simulation.

6. Draw the output waveform.
 Figure 12: Output waveform for D6

7. Reverse the direction of the diode. Save your work then run the
simulation. write your observations for the simulation.

Objective E

Demonstrate the output of a full-wave bridge rectifier using circuit simulations.

El. Complete the circuit shown in Figure 5-9. To make a transformer, draw each
winding of the transformer as an inductor and couple the inductors with a SPICE
directive called a K-statement. To add the directive, choose SPICE Directive from
the Edit menu. Type "K1 L1 L2 1 ", this will use the inductor symbol in the K
statement to represent the transformer with a coupling ratio of 1. Place the
statement anywhere within the window.
E2. For the input signal, include a series resistance of 0.10ohms. This will serve
as internal resistance for the voltage source.
E3. To specify the type of simulation select "Simulate > Edit Simulation Cmd"
from the menu. Choose "Transient" and enter
50 m for Stop time, 0 for Time to start saving data, and 1 m for Maximum
Timestep. Click OK then save your work.
 Figure 13: Schematic Diagram for Simulation

E4. Place a probe at the primary side and at the secondary side of the
transformer to verify if there is an output. Run the simulation.
E5. Remove the probe and delete the plot for the primary side.
Next, right-click on the plot pane and click Add Trace. Write V (out 1 ) −V (out2)
in the "Expression to Add" portion below the list of parameters. Click OK.
E6. Plot the secondary voltage and the output waveform.

Figure 14: Output Waveform for E6 Write your

observations for the simulation.

Objective F

Observe the effect of connecting a filter capacitor at the output of a bridge

rectifier.
F1. To see a more constant DC output, place a 10µF capacitor parallel to the
resistor. Use u to represent micro. Run the simulation. Draw the output
waveform.
F2. Connect another 10µF capacitor parallel to the resistor. Run the simulation
and observe the output waveform. Write your observations here:

F3. Change the frequency from 100 Hz to 200 Hz and observe what happens to
the waveform.

F4. Change the value of the resistor from 4.7k to 2k. Observe what happens to
the output waveform.

Figure 15: Output Waveform for F4