ELECTRONIC SYSTEM

EXPERIMENT 1: DIODE AS A RECTIFIER

(PLO4; CLO2)
1.0 AIM
1. To analyze and understand diode applications as rectifier
2.0 OUTCOMES
At the end of the session the students will be able to:1. Determine output waveform of half-wave, full-wave center-tapped and fullwave bridge rectifier
3.0 EQUIPMENTS/MATERIALS NEEDED
1. Livewire software
4.0 THEORY
The function of rectifier is to change an alternating current (AC) to a direct
current (DC). There are several types of rectifiers such as half wave rectifier, full
wave centre-tapped rectifier and full wave bridge rectifier.
1.0 HALF-WAVE RECTIFIER
The simplest type of rectifier circuit is a half-wave rectifier. It only allows one
half of a positive cycle of an AC waveform to pass through the load as in
Figure 1(a).

Figure 1(a): Half Wave Rectifier

2.0 FULL-WAVE CENTER-TAPPED RECTIFIER

Experiment 1: Diode As A Rectifier

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As shown in Figure 1(b), full wave rectifier is created by using only two
diodes. Its requiring a center tapped transformer to establish the input signal
across each section of the transformer secondary side.
During a positive half-cycle of the input voltage, a power is supplied to the
load through diode D1. During the negative cycle, diode D2 conducts with
maintaining the same polarity for the voltage across the load. The net effect
is the same output as that full wave bridge rectifier with the same dc levels.

Figure 1(b): Full-Wave Center-Tapped Rectifier

3.0 FULL-WAVE BRIDGE RECTIFIER
Figure 1(c) is the circuit diagram of full-wave bridge rectifier. During the
positive half-cycle, shown in red, the top end of the transformer winding is
positive with respect to the bottom half. Therefore, the transformer pushes
electrons from its bottom end, through D3 which is forward biased, and
through the load resistor in the direction shown by the red arrows. Electrons
then continue through the forward-biased D2, and from there to the top of
the transformer winding. This forms a complete circuit, so current can indeed
flow. At the same time, D1 and D4 are reverse biased, so they do not conduct
any current.
During the negative half-cycle, the top end of the transformer winding is
negative. Now, D1 and D4 are forward biased, and D2 and D3 are reverse
biased. Therefore, electrons move through D1, the resistor, and D4 in the
direction shown by the blue arrows. As with the positive half-cycle,
electrons move through the resistor from left to right.
In this manner, the diodes keep switching the transformer connections to
the resistor so that current always flows in only one direction through the
resistor.

Experiment 1: Diode As A Rectifier

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Figure 1(c): Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier

5.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
5.1 HALF-WAVE RECTIFIER
1. By using livewire software, connect a circuit as shown in figure 1(d).

Figure 1(d): Half Wave Rectifier

2. Set AC voltage source value to 5V, 1Hz.
3. Then, insert the graph to display the oscilloscope waveform.
4. Draw output waveform in Table 1.0.

Table 1.0: Half Wave Rectifier waveform

5.2 FULL-WAVE CENTER-TAPPED RECTIFIER
1. By using livewire software, connect a circuit as shown in figure 1(e).
Experiment 1: Diode As A Rectifier

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Figure 1(e): Full-Wave Center-Tapped Rectifier

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Set AC voltage source value to 100V, 1Hz.

Set the centre tap transformer turn ratio to 10:1.
Determine output at resistance R1 10K ohm with oscilloscope.
Insert the graph to display the oscilloscope waveform.
Draw output waveform in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1: Full-Wave Center-Tapped Rectifier waveform

5.3 FULL-WAVE BRIDGE RECTIFIER

1. By using livewire software, connect a circuit as shown in figure 1(f).
Experiment 1: Diode As A Rectifier

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Figure 1(f): Full-Wave Center-Tapped Rectifier

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Set AC voltage source value to 50V, 1Hz.

Set the centre tap transformer turn ratio to 10:1.
Determine output at resistance R1 10K ohm with oscilloscope.
Insert the graph to display the oscilloscope waveform.
Draw output waveform in Table 1.2.

Table 1.2: Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier waveform

Experiment 1: Diode As A Rectifier