Rectifier
Rectification is the process of converting AC to
DC
A diode is used as the rectifier
A diode will conduct only when it is given
forward bias
i.e. when the anode is more +ve than the cathode
Hence when AC is applied to a diode it will
conduct only in one direction, giving DC
Half-wave rectifier
D1
+
_
Half wave rectifier
AC is applied to the Power Transformer and it
steps down the voltage to the required AC
This AC is applied to the diode D1
During the +ve half cycle, the diode gets forward
bias
Now current flows from Anode to Cathode
through the Load resistor RL back to the
secondary winding
This current produces a voltage across RL
Thus we get one half of the AC input, at the output
During the –ve half, the diode gets reverse bias
Now the diode stops conducting
Thus, the diode conducts only for one half and
gives the output for that alf
As the diode conducts only for one half of the
applied AC, it is called as Half wave rectifier
circuit
This way the diode rectifies AC to DC
But the obtained DC is a fluctuating DC & not a
constant DC
Full-wave rectifier
D1
A
+
RL
B _
D2
The full wave rectifier uses 2 diodes & a centre-
tapped transformer
In any transformer the ends of the secondary will
give out of phase voltage
i.e. the voltage will be alternating with one end at a
higher (positive) potential than the other, for one
half cycle
And at lower (negative) potential during the next
half and so on
Full-wave rectifier
D1
A
+
RL
B _
During the first half, the top end A gets the +ve half
while the bottom end B gets the –ve half
Now D1 gets forward bias and D2 gets reverse bias
Hence only D1 will conduct during this half
The current will now flow from A through D1,
through RL to the centre tapping of the transformer
This produces a voltage with positive polarity as
shown
Full-wave rectifier
+
RL
_
B D2
During the next half, the end A gets –ve half,
while B gets +ve half
Now D2 gets forward bias and starts conducting,
while D1 gets reverse bias & stops conducting
The current now flows from B through D2,
through RL in the same direction back to the
centre tapping
Hence this half also gives a positive voltage
As the diode conducts during the full cycle (both
halves), it is referred to as Full wave rectifier
Bridge rectifier
D4 D1
+
D2 D3
RL
B _
The bridge rectifier uses 4 diodes
The circuit has 4 balanced arms (diodes)
Hence it is called as Bridge Rectifier circuit
As before, when the secondary end A is +ve going,
the end B will be –ve going
The +ve voltage at A forward biases D1 & reverse
biases D4
The –ve voltage at B provides forward bias for D2
and reverse biases D3
Thus for one half D1 & D2 conduct and for the
other half D3 & D4 conduct
The circuit diagram can be redrawn omitting the
non-conducting diodes for easier understanding
During the first half the current flows from A
through D1, through RL, through D2 back to the
secondary
Bridge rectifier
D1
+
D2
RL
B _
During the next half, current flows from B through
D3, through RL, through D4 back to the secondary
In both the cases, the current flows through RL in
the same direction, producing a +ve signal as
shown
Thus the bridge rectifier also gives a full wave
output
Bridge rectifier
D4
+
D3
RL
B _
Comparison
Out of the 3 rectifiers, half wave rectifier is the
simplest and cheapest
But the output contains only one half
This makes it more difficult to convert the
fluctuating DC to a pure DC
A centre-tapped transformer is a must for Full
wave rectifier
Comparison
The half wave and bridge rectifier circuits can also
be drawn without the power transformer
In that case, we may have to use a high wattage
resistor to reduce the voltage to the required value
Comparison
In full wave rectifier, voltage is taken across one
half of the secondary
Hence the number of turns in the secondary will be
double for the centre-tapped (full wave)
transformer compared to the one used for the
bridge circuit
Or, the voltage output per turn is more for the
bridge rectifier transformer
End
