TOPIC

Investigatory project on Full wave rectifier

 AIM

To construct a full wave rectifier and show that

Alternating Current is rectified into a Direct Current
INTRODUCTION

A full wave rectifier is a device which is used to rectify all the

alternating current components in an alternating supply and make it
purely a direct current. The two alternating halves of an alternation
current are rectified in a full wave rectifier which is an advantage
over a half wave rectifier. Most electronic devices cannot withstand
very high voltage or alternating current due to its intense high power.
The use of batteries in all devices is not practical as their replacement
and durability is a huge problem as the device has to be dismantled
each time for such a replacement. So, these rectifiers are used in most
of the electronic devices like TV's, Radios, Chargers, and Lightings
etc.
MATERIAL REQUIRED

l. Connecting wires
2. A plug
3. Single lead wire - 2m
4. 3 nuts & Bolts 2 to 3cm length
5. Circuit board
6. A Transformer
7. A capacitor
8. A Resistor (1 K Q)
9. P-N junction diodes
10. A LED
1l . Insulation tape, Blades, soldering wax, soldering
lead, soldering iron &sand paper
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

CONNECTION DETAILS:
Connections are done as in the circuit. The A.C. supply is
given to both the input wires of the transformer and the
two ends of the secondary coil is given to the P side of the
two diodes and the N side of the diodes are twined and
then connected to one end of the capacitor and the other
end to the center tap lead and to the resistor. Further, the
other end of capacitor with the diode connect ion is
connected to the other end of the resistor. Connect 2 leads
on both the ends of the resistor to measure the output and
this is connected to the +ve & -ve terminals of the bulb.
Working

1st when the A.C. is supplied to the transformer, it steps

down the 230V main supply to 6 volts. It has a capability
of delivering a
current of 500mA. The 6 volts A.C. appearing across the
secondary is the RMS value and the peak value is 8.4
volts. During the 1st half cycle of the A.C. input Diode D1
is forward biased and a current ‘I’ lows in the circuit in
the direction S 1D1 ABEOS1. During this time diode D2
is reverse biased. So it does not conduct any electric
current. During the next half cycle, the diodeD2 is
forward and D1 is reversed. Hence D2 conducts current in
the direction S2D2 ABEOS2and D1 does not conduct any
current. In subsequent half cycles of the A.C current the
above processes are repeated.

In both the half cycles it is clear that current lows through

the resistor in only one direction ABE. Even though the
voltage across RL is unidirectional it will still contain a
few A.C components. This is filtered and made smooth
using a capacitor, which filters 99% of the A.C current. A
resistor is then used to adjust the output voltage. Capacitor
also nearly filters all A.C components from the supply and
resistance is adjusted for the required output. As this is a
simple circuit, only one capacitor and a resistance are
being used. But there will be slight factor of A.C. current
still left in the output but it is negligible. The output
Direct Current and voltage light up the LED.
GRAPHS
APPLICATION

Because of their low cost compared to centre tapped,

they are widely used in power supply circuit.

This can be used to detect the amplitude of modulated

radio signal.

Bridge rectifiers can be used to supply polarized

voltage in welding.

In daily life, rectifier find use in mobile chargers.

These rectifiers are used in most of the electronic

devices like TV's, Radios, Chargers, and Lightings etc.
MERITS AND DEMERITS

Merits:

The rectification efficiency of full wave rectifier is double

of that of a half wave rectifier.

The ripple voltage is low and of higher Frequency in case of

a full wave rectifier so simple filtering circuit is required.

Higher output voltage higher output power and higher TUF

in case of a full wave rectifier

In a full wave rectifier, there is no problem due to DC

saturation of the core because the DC currents in the two
halves of the transformer secondary flow in opposite
directions

Demerits:
Full wave rectifier needs more circuit elements and is
costlier
 COMPARISION BETWEEN FULL WAVE &
HALF WAVE RECTIFIER
.