Reg. No.

: Section:

Experiment 2
April 13, 2021

Single Phase Diode Rectifiers

Pre Lab Reading

Chapter 3 of “Power Electronics: Circuits, Devices and Applications”, by M. H. Rashid (4e).

Objectives

• Practically analyze the working and performance of a single phase rectifier.

• Observe the effect of inductive load on working of a rectifier.

• Observe the operation of diode at different frequencies.

Equipment

AC supply, a diode, a diode bridge, resistors, inductor coil, oscilloscope, multi-meter,

connecting wires.

2.1 Half Wave Rectifier with Resistive Load

Implement the circuit of half wave rectifier as shown in Figure 2.1 and record the observations
as described. Select an appropriate value of the resistor. Please read the data sheet of the diode
for current and voltage ratings.

23
24 EXPERIMENT 2. SINGLE PHASE DIODE RECTIFIERS

Figure 2.1: Half wave rectifier

Input Voltage Waveform

Output Voltage Waveform

2.1. HALF WAVE RECTIFIER WITH RESISTIVE LOAD 25

Diode Voltage Waveform

Performance Parameters

Peak output voltage = Vm = (use oscilloscope waveform)

Average value of output voltage = Vdc = 0.318 Vm =
R= ohms
Average value of output current = Idc = Vdc /R =
RMS value of output voltage = Vrms = 0.5 Vm =
RMS value of output current = Irms = Vrms /R =
Output DC power = Pdc = Vdc ∗ Idc =
Output AC power = Pac = Vrms ∗ Irms =
Secondary RMS Voltage of Transformer or the Source = Vs =
(use multimeter)
Secondary RMS Current of Transformer = Irms =
Secondary AC Power supplied by Transformer = Ps = Vs ∗ Irms =
Peak Secondary Current of transformer = Im = Vm /R =
Evaluate the following parameters (also write down the required formulae) by
consulting the pre-lab reading:
Rectifier Efficiency =
Form Factor =
Ripple Factor =
Transformer or Source Utilization Factor (TUF) =
Crest Factor (CF) of input current I =
Input Power Factor =
26 EXPERIMENT 2. SINGLE PHASE DIODE RECTIFIERS

2.2 Half Wave Rectifier with Inductive Load

Arrange the circuit as shown in Figure 2.2. Add inductive load to the circuit by selecting
appropriate value of the inductor. Use different values of the inductor to observe the effect of
inductance on output voltage waveform.

Figure 2.2: Half wave rectifier with inductive load

Observe VO on the oscilloscope and sketch it on a graph paper.

Sketch output voltage

2.3. HALF WAVE RECTIFIER WITH FREE WHEELING DIODE 27

Sketch Voltage across the diode

Comment on the difference between output voltage waveforms of Section 1 and 2

2.3 Half Wave Rectifier with Free Wheeling Diode

Arrange the circuit as shown in Figure 2.3. A free-wheeling diode Dm is added to the circuit
to provide path for the dissipation of energy stored in the inductor.

Observe VO on the oscilloscope and sketch it on a graph.

28 EXPERIMENT 2. SINGLE PHASE DIODE RECTIFIERS

Figure 2.3: Half wave rectifier with inductive load and free wheeling diode

Sketch output voltage

2.3. HALF WAVE RECTIFIER WITH FREE WHEELING DIODE 29

Sketch voltage across main diode

Sketch voltage across free wheeling diode

Comment on the difference between waveform of Section 2 and 3

30 EXPERIMENT 2. SINGLE PHASE DIODE RECTIFIERS

2.4 Full Wave Rectifier with Inductive Load

Arrange the circuit as shown in Figure 2.4. An inductive load is added to the full bridge
rectifier circuit. Use different values of the inductor to observe the effect of inductance on
output voltage waveform.

Figure 2.4: Full wave rectifier with inductive load

Sketch output voltage with resistive load

2.5. OPERATION OF DIODE AT HIGH FREQUENCY 31

Sketch output voltage with inductive load

Comments

2.5 Operation of Diode at High Frequency

Using signal generator apply the voltage with high frequency (in kHz) to a half wave diode
rectifier shown in Figure 2.5. Use a general purpose diode (low frequency diode) and observe
the output voltage waveforms at different frequencies. The turn off is very important!!. The
value of the resistance should not be less than 1kΩ.

Replace the diode with high frequency diode (UF4007) and observe the output voltage
waveforms at different frequencies. Note down the turn off time in the observation table.
32 EXPERIMENT 2. SINGLE PHASE DIODE RECTIFIERS

Figure 2.5: Half wave rectifier with high frequency diode

Sketch waveform at high frequency for a general purpose diode

Comment on the response at high frequency

2.5. OPERATION OF DIODE AT HIGH FREQUENCY 33

Using signal generator apply the voltage at high frequency to a half wave diode rectifier with
low frequency diode (e.g. 1N4007) and observe the response with resistive load. Record the
response at different frequencies.

Table 2.1: Turn off time for low frequency diode

Sr. No. Frequency (kHz) Turn off time (µs)

l
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Replace the low frequency diode with high frequency (UF4007) and record the turn off time at
different frequencies.

Table 2.2: Turn off time for high frequency diode

Sr. No. Frequency (kHz) Turn off time (µs)

l
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
34 EXPERIMENT 2. SINGLE PHASE DIODE RECTIFIERS

2.6 Post-Lab Assignment

1. Simulate a three phase diode rectifier shown in Figure 2.6 and trace the current paths in
one complete cycle of the supply

Figure 2.6: Three phase diode rectifier