PHYSICS PROJECT: HALF-WAVE RECTIFIER

Submitted by: Arnav Khokhar

Session 2023-2024
Roll Number:
 Table of Contents

Table of Contents.....................................................................2
INTRODUCTION....................................................................... 3
THEORY.................................................................................... 4
Advantages of half wave rectifier:-........................................ 5
Disadvantages of half wave rectifier.....................................6
MEASURING THE CURRENT USING HALF WAVE
RECTIFIER................................................................................ 7
AIM:-.......................................................................................... 7
Material required:-....................................................................7
Procedure:-...............................................................................7
Circuit Diagram:-......................................................................8
Calculations:-........................................................................... 9
Result:-......................................................................................9
Conclusion:-............................................................................. 9
 INTRODUCTION

A Rectifier is nothing but a simple diode or group of

diodes that converts the Alternating current (AC)
into Direct current (DC).
We know that a diode allows electric current in one
direction and blocks electric current in another direction.
We are using this principle to construct various types of
rectifiers.
Rectifiers are classified into different types based on the
number of diodes used in the circuit or arrangement of
diodes in the circuit. The basic types of rectifiers are: half
wave rectifier and full wave rectifier.
 THEORY

⮚ A half wave rectifier is a type of rectifier which converts

the positive half cycle (positive current) of the input signal
into pulsating DC (Direct Current) output signal.

⮚ A half wave rectifier is a type of rectifier which allows

only half cycle (either positive half cycle or negative
half cycle) of the input AC signal while the another
half cycle is blocked.

For example:- If the positive half cycle is allowed then the

negative half cycle is blocked. Similarly, if the negative half
cycle is allowed then the positive half cycle is blocked.
However, a half wave rectifier will not allow both positive
and negative half cycles at the same time.

Therefore, the half cycle (either positive or negative) of the

input signal is wasted.
⮚ The half wave rectifier is the simplest form of the
 rectifier. We use only a single diode to construct the
half wave rectifier.
⮚ The half wave rectifier is made up of an AC source,
transformer (step-down), diode, and
resistor (load). The diode is placed between the
transformer and resistor (load).

Advantages of half wave rectifier:-

⮚ We use very few components to construct the half

wave rectifier. So the cost is very low.
⮚ Easy to construct.
 Disadvantages of half wave
rectifier
⮚ Power loss
The half wave rectifier either allows the positive half cycle
or negative half cycle. So the remaining half cycle is
wasted. Approximately half of the applied voltage is
wasted in half wave rectifier.

⮚ Pulsating direct current

The direct current produced by the half wave rectifier is
not a pure direct current; it is a pulsating direct current
which is not much useful.

⮚ Produces low output voltage.

MEASURING THE CURRENT USING
HALF WAVE RECTIFIER
AIM:-
To determine the current by measuring voltage and
resistance using a half-wave rectifier.

Material required:-
⮚ Diode
⮚ Capacitor(50V)
⮚ Voltmeter
⮚ Resistance box
⮚ Ac supply
⮚ Wires for connection

Procedure:-
i. Take a supply and connect it to the switch.

ii. Connect the terminal part of the AC to the p part of the diode
using wire.

iii. Now connect the other part of the AC terminal to the

capacitor.
iv. Connect the n-part of the diode to the capacitor. v. Connect
both ends of a capacitor to the resistance box. vi. Place a
connection between the voltmeter and the resistance box by
joining the terminals of the voltmeter.

vii. Now power on the switch and find out the resultant
voltage by changing the resistance box.

viii. Calculate the current by measuring the mean voltage and

resistance using Ohm’s law.

Circuit Diagram:-
Observation:-
RESISTANCE(in ohm) VOLT(in V)

Calculations:-

Result:-
The average current produced by the half-wave rectifier =

Conclusion:-
We can conclude that half-wave and full-wave rectifier circuits
can be built. It can measure and record their output voltages and
curves systematically. Next, the influences of load resistor and
capacitor on DC output voltage are investigated. Half- and
full-wave rectifiers are used to convert AC into DC voltage. This
is the primary function of the rectifier in industrial applications.
For example, AC is used across the power grid, but to use
electricity for welding, electroplating, and as a DC source for
motors with special speed controls, the AC must be changed to
DC. Therefore, it is important to carry out this experiment to
increase the understanding of rectifiers in industries.