Rizal Technological University

College of Engineering and Architecture

Introduction on Rectifiers

A rectifier is an electrical component that plays a pivotal role in converting

alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). It is a fundamental process in modern
electronics and power systems. The transformation from AC to DC, known as rectification,
is essential for powering electronic devices and providing a stable source of energy. A
rectifier can take several physical forms, such as solid-state diodes, vacuum tube diodes,
mercury-arc valves, silicon-controlled rectifiers, and various other silicon-based
semiconductor switches.

The inception of rectification dates back to the early days of electrical engineering.
Early rectifiers employed mechanical devices, such as the commutator in dynamo
machines, for converting AC to pulsating DC. With the advent of semiconductor technology,
particularly the development of diodes and silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs), rectifier
circuits evolved into more efficient and reliable forms.

Types of Rectifier Circuit

1) Half wave rectifier

A half-wave rectifier is a type of rectification circuit that converts alternating
current (AC) into direct current (DC) by utilizing only one half of the input
waveform. It allows the positive half-cycle of the AC signal to pass through while
blocking the negative half-cycle. The result is a pulsating DC output.

Figure 1. Half wave rectifier circuit

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a) Operation
i) Positive half-cycle – The diode conducts during the positive half-
cycle of the AC input, permitting current to pass through the load
resistor. This positive half-cycle is the only time the load is
powered.
ii) Negative half-cycle – The diode stops current flow during the
negative half-cycle, preventing power from reaching the load.
iii) DC output as a result – A sequence of half-wave pulses make up the
output waveform, which pulses the DC voltage across the load
resistor. There is a sizable quantity of AC ripple and an
inconsistent output voltage.

b) Applications
i) A half-wave rectifier is used in soldering iron and is also used in
mosquito repellent to drive the lead for the fumes.
ii) It is used in AM radio as a detector due to the fact that the output
consists of an audio signal.
iii) Used in firing circuits and pulse generating circuits.
iv) It is used to demodulate the amplitude of a modulated signal.
v) It is also used for the purpose of the voltage multiplier.

While the half-wave rectifier is not as commonly used as more efficient full-wave
rectifiers, it serves as a fundamental circuit for understanding rectification principles. Its
simplicity makes it suitable for educational purposes and applications where a simple DC
output is sufficient.

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2) Full wave rectifier

A full-wave rectifier is a type of rectification circuit that converts alternating
current (AC) into direct current (DC) by utilizing both halves of the input waveform.
Unlike a half-wave rectifier, which only allows one half-cycle of the AC signal to pass
through, a full-wave rectifier allows both the positive and negative half-cycles to be
used, resulting in a more continuous DC output.

A) Center-tap rectifier
The center-tap rectifier uses a center-tapped transformer. Two diodes are
connected in a way that each diode conducts during alternate half-cycles of
the AC signal. The load resistor is connected across the secondary winding of
the transformer.

Figure 2. Center-tap rectifier circuit

a) Operation
i) Positive half-cycle – Diode D1 conducts during the positive half-
cycle of the AC input, permitting one direction of current flow via
the load resistor.
ii) Negative half-cycle – Diode D2 conducts during the negative half-
cycle, permitting current to go in the opposite direction through
the load resistor.

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iii) DC output as a Result – Every half-cycle, the output waveform

consists of a sequence of pulses that provide a more constant DC
voltage across the load resistor.

b) Applications
i) Center-tap rectifier is used to convert high input AC voltage to low
DC voltage.
ii) This type of rectifier is used as basic components within the power
supply units due to their high efficiency.
iii) It can be used to provide power to motors, LEDs, etc.

B) Bridge-type rectifier
The bridge rectifier uses only four diodes arranged in a bridge
configuration and does not require a transformer. The load resistor is
connected across the output terminals.

Figure 3. Bridge-type rectifier circuit

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College of Engineering and Architecture

a) Operation
i) Positive half-cycle – Diodes D1 and D2 conduct during the positive
half-cycle of the AC input, enabling current to pass through the
load resistor.
ii) Negative half-cycle – Diodes D3 and D4 conduct during the
negative half-cycle, allowing current to flow in the opposite
direction through the load resistor.
iii) DC output as a result – A smoother DC voltage across the load
resistor is the outcome, with each half-cycle represented as a
continuous series of pulses in the output waveform.

b) Applications
i) Bridge rectifiers are widely used for large appliances, which can
convert high AC voltage to low DC voltage.
ii) This type of rectifier can also be used to supply steady and
polarized DC voltage.
iii) In a radio signal, a full-wave bridge rectifier is used to detect the
amplitude of a modulating signal.

Both types of full-wave rectifiers provide a more stable and continuous DC output
compared to half-wave rectifiers, making them suitable for various electronic applications
and power supply circuits.

Conclusion

Rectifiers are essential in various applications, including power supplies for

electronics, battery chargers, signal demodulation, and control systems. Their importance
extends across industries, from telecommunications to power distribution. Ongoing
advancements in semiconductor materials and power electronics have led to the
development of more efficient and compact rectifiers, contributing to the miniaturization
and enhanced performance of electronic devices.

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