The objectives of this lab is:

• to develop and analyze a full wave bridge rectifier using diodes

A full-wave rectifier converts positive and negative alternations of an ac signal into a pulsating
dc signal, as shown above.

A full-wave bridge rectifier is a circuit that performs full-wave rectification. The input to the
bridge rectifier circuit is usually the secondary coil of a power transformer. The transformer
isolates the bridge rectifier from the ac source and serves to step up (increase) or step down
(decrease) the ac input to the bridge rectifier.
Diode bridges contain four diodes, designated D1 through D4, configured so that two diodes
conduct during each half-cycle of the input ac signal and produce a pulsating dc output.
The pulsating dc output flows through the load resistance in one direction, independent of which
ac cycle the current is derived. Two input terminals, usually labeled with a sine wave symbol,
and two output terminals, labeled with positive and negative symbols, are present on the bridge
rectifier. Diodes D1 and D3 are forward biased during the positive half-cycle of the ac input
signal.
Diodes D2 and D4 are forward biased during the negative half-cycle of the ac input signal. Each
diode pair conducts for one half-cycle of the ac input signal, resulting in full-wave rectification.
Since there are two dc pulses for one complete cycle of the input ac waveform, the output pulse
frequency of a full-wave rectifier is twice the ac input frequency. The following relationships
apply to full-wave diode bridge rectifiers. Peak output voltage (Vo(pk)) equals the peak input
voltage (Vi(pk)) minus the forward voltage drop (VF) of the two conducting diodes.
· Vo(pk) = Vi(pk) − 2VF
Output rms voltage (Vo(rms) ) equals 0.707 times the peak output voltage.
· Vo(rms) = 0.707 x Vo(pk)
Output average (Vo(avg)) voltage equals 0.636 times the peak output voltage.
 · Vo(avg) = 0.636 x Vo(pk)

1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure below.

2. Adjust the generator for a 20 Vpp, 100 Hz Sine wave at the T1 secondary coil.
3. Compare the transformer secondary peak to peak voltage with primary voltage and check
that both signals are inphase.
4. Use the step up transformer that adjusts secondary voltage of 20 voltage when primary
voltages are 16 peak to peak voltages.
5. Observe the output across R1 by connecting the oscilloscope probe on the (+) output test
point of the bridge rectifier.
6. Measure the frequency of the dc output pulsations across the load resistor R1.
f=_____________ Hz
7. Measure the peak dc out put voltage.
VO(p)= _________________

8. Find the conduction angle, fraction of a cycle for which each diode conducts, Vavg and Iavg.
Verify your results experimentally.
Conduction Angle = _____________ Fraction of a Cycle = _____________
Vavg = _____________ Iavg = _____________

9. Now measure the dc voltage using DMM.

VO(avg)= _________________
10. What is difference between transformer secondary coil voltage and output voltage? State the
reason of difference?
11. During the positive and negative half cycle of the wave form observe the output across D2.
12. Draw the wave form of voltage that you observe on oscilloscope of input and across D2.
13. When D2 is conducting, measure VD2 with reference to ground.
 V(D2)= _________________

14. When D2 is forward bias which another one Diode is also forward bias.

A typeset (not hand-written), group lab report (not exceeding 5 pages including title page) is
required and is due before 4pm one week after the lab. Submit report in the DEE office.

Draw the waveforms as obtained in the last section.

A full wave diode bridge rectifier converts both phases of an ac input voltage to pulsating dc
output voltage. The output dc ripple frequency is two times the ac input frequency. The four
diodes that form a full wave bridge rectifier are paired so that current flows in only two diodes at
a time. The two conducting diodes steer the voltage so that the load current is always in the same
direction. The peak dc output voltage is less than the peak ac input voltage by the forward
voltage drop of the two conducting diodes. The average voltage is 0.636 times the peak output
voltage.