Rectification

AIMS/OBJECTIVES:
1. Study the use of diodes as rectifiers.
2. Understand AC currents and voltages.
BACKGROUND THEORY:
In the Semiconductor Diode experiment you found that a diode conducts current in one direction (from
anode to cathode) but not in the reverse direction. A widely used application of this feature is the
conversion of alternating voltages to direct voltages. This assignment studies the simplest circuits for
achieving this conversion, which is called Rectification or, in some cases, Detection.

RESULTS:
Half-Wave Rectification

AC
Supply
10v p-p, 50Hz

Load
Resistor
R

To CRO

Vpk is not equal to the peak voltage of the alternating supply because the is a voltage drop across the
diode.

The Effect of a Reservoir Capacitor

K
+
Load
Resistor
R

AC
Supply

C
Vout

Capacitor 12 F

Capacitor 2.2 F
With the Capacitor 2.2 F the mean voltage is greater than before.
The ripple with the larger capacitor is more than it was with the lower value capacitor.
The mean rectified voltage is greater.

Full Wave Rectification

AC supply
10V p-p , 50 Hz
R

C
2.2F

The mean value of output voltage indicated on the voltmeter is it the same as it was
for half-wave rectifier because the same input voltage is used.

Vout