ID 1602111

Question 1: Why does the diode in half-wave rectifier have to withstand 2 times the peak voltage?
Ans. The voltage across the diode will be almost 2Vmax when anode side of the diode attains the peak
negative voltage -Vmax with respect to the cathode side of the diode, because the capacitor voltage will be
nearly equal to +Vmax if the voltage drop across capacitor is insignificant (i.e. αT is extremely smaller). So,
the diode D must withstand a peak reverse voltage of 2Vmax.

Question 2: For a 1:1 turns ratio transformer and a full-wave rectifier, what should be the reverse
breakdown voltage rating for the diodes assuming the sine wave is symmetrical around the horizontal
axis.

Ans. For a full wave rectifier, for a turn ratio of 1:1 of the transformer, the breakdown voltage rating should
equal to the peak value of the source voltage. Given. the sine wave is symmetrical around the horizontal
axis, then the if VmSinωt is the source voltage, then both the V1(t) and V2(t) are equal to Vm /2 (as centre
tapped transformer has been used). Now voltage across D2 is equal to -Vm /2 on the cathode side and + Vm
/2 on the anode side, due to the Capacitor being fully charged, when the positive half cycle reaches the peak
value. And same is the case for the diode D1 during the negative half cycle. So, the net voltage across D2 =
(Vm /2 – (-Vm /2)) = Vm. Which is the reverse breakdown voltage rating for the diodes D1 and D2.

Fig 01: A Full Wave Rectifier Circuit

Question 3: From equation (a) on slide-14, explain the effects of frequency and capacitance value on
the ripple voltage.

Ans. Equation (a) on slide-14 is

δV = IT/2C = I/2fC… … … (a)

here, δV = Ripple, I = Mean Current, C = Capacitance, f = frequency.

This equation explains that, ripple in output of a half wave rectifier can be controlled by f and c wisely.

Explanation:

Case 1: If a higher Frequency value of input voltage is used, then the smoothing capacitor doesn’t get
much time to discharge. As a matter of fact, the downgrading curve of output voltage gets shorter because
the Capacitor starts charging within a shorter period of time. Which results in a lower ripple in output
voltage.
ID 1602111

Case 2: If a higher Capacitance value of the smoothing capacitor is used, the capacitor will be able to store
more charge. As from the equation of time constant, τ = RC, a higher value of C indicates a higher value
of time constant, τ. Then for the downgrading output voltage of a Half wave rectifier, it will take more time
for the voltage to drop. So, for a higher capacitance usage and thus for the higher time constant of the
smoothing capacitor, the ripple in output voltage will decrease.

Question 4: What can be done to reduce ripple?

Ans. Ripple can be reduced by

a) By using Full Wave Rectifier Circuit

b) By using higher frequency source voltage
c) By using higher capacitance value (C) of smoothing capacitor
Question 5: Compare the upsides and downsides of a half and full-wave rectifier.

Ans. The upsides and downsides of a half and full-wave rectifier are listed below in a table.

Half Wave Rectifier:

Advantages:

1. It is cheap because of the low number of components involved.

2. It is Simple because of the straight forwardness in circuit design.
3. And it’s easy to construct.
Disadvantages:
1. If smooth DC is required, we need 3 to 4 times the filter capacitance to obtain a similar ripple
to full-wave rectification
2. The lumped resistance of the power source becomes more significant thereby reducing the peak
power available which in turn reduces the average power available.
3. Transformer utilization factor is also low.

Full Wave rectifier:

Advantages:
1. The ripple frequency is two times the input frequency
2. Efficiency is higher
3. The large DC power output.
4. Ripple factor is less.
5. The ripple voltage is low and the higher frequency in case full-wave rectifier so simple filtering
circuit is required.
6. Higher output voltage.
7. Higher transformer utilization factor.
8. Utilizes both halves of the AC waveform.
9. Easier to provide smoothing as a result of using the ripple frequency
Disadvantages:
1. More complected than half-wave rectifier
2. It requires more diodes, two for center tap rectifier and four for bridge rectifier.
3. PIV rating of the diode is higher.
4. Higher PIV diodes are larger in size and too much costlier.
ID 1602111

5. The cost of the center tap transformer is high.

6. The twice frequency hum on an audio circuit maybe it is more audible.
7. This rectifier is difficult to locate the center tap on the secondary winding.
8. The DC output is small as using each of diode utilized only one-half of the transformer secondary
voltages.
9. When a small voltage is required to be rectified, the full-wave rectifier circuit is not suitable.

Question 6: Draw the circuit diagrams for both of the rectifiers discussed.

Fig 02: Half Wave Rectifier circuit with smoothing capacitor.

Fig 03: Full Wave Rectifier circuit with smoothing capacitor.

ID 1602111

Question 7: Draw the source voltage waveform on the secondary side of the transformer and the
capacitor voltage waveform on the same axis. Identify the ripple voltage in the waveform.

• Yellow - Source Voltage

waveform
• Blue - Capacitor voltage
waveform
• Blue – Ripple Voltage

Fig 04: Voltage waveform on the secondary side of the transformer and the Capacitor voltage waveform
on the same axis.
Question 8: If you choose a diode with a reverse breakdown voltage rating of 0.8V for a half-wave
rectifier with 0.5V (p-p), what would happen?

Ans. Here, Peak voltage in one side, Vp = 0.5/2 = 0.25 V

Therefore, PIV of the diode = 2Vp = 2*0.25 = 0.50 V

The obtained PIV 0.50 V is less than that of the given reverse breakdown voltage rating of 0.8V, Therefore,
Breakdown won’t happen.