Although in our daily life we use A.C. current devices.

But rectifier is a Elect

ronic device which converts A.C. power into D.C. power .
The study of the junction diode characteristics reveals
that the junction diode offers a low resistance path, when forward biased, and a
high resistance path, when reverse biased. This feature of the junction diode
enables it to be used as a rectifier.
The alternating signals provides opposite kind of biased
voltage at the junction after each half-cycle. If the junction is forward bias
ed in the first half-cycle, its gets reverse biased in the second half. It resu
lts in the flow of forward current in one direction only and thus the signal get
s rectified.
In other words, we can say, when an alternating e.m.f. s
ignal is applied across a junction diode, it will conduct only during those alte
rnate half cycles, which biased it in forward direction.
TYPE OF RECTIFIER
Mainly we have two types of rectifier :
1.
Half wave rectifier.
2.
Full wave rectifier.
JUNCTION DIODE AS HALF WAVE RECTIFIER
When a single diode is used as a rectifier, the rectification of onl
y one-half of the A.C. wave form takes place. Such a rectification is called hal
f-wave rectification. The circuit diagram for a half-wave rectifier is shown in
Fig.
Principle :
It is based upon the principle that junction diode offers low resist
ance path when forward biased, and high resistance when reverse biased.
Arrangement :The A.C. supply is applied across the primary coil(P) of a step down
transformer. The secondary coil(S) of the transformer is connected to the junc
tion diode and a load resistance RL. The out put D.C. voltage is obtained acros
s the load resistance(RL)
Theory :
Suppose that during the first half of the input cycle, the junction
diode gets forward biased the conventional current will flow in the direction of
the arrow-heads. The upper end of RL will be at positive potential w.r.t. the
lower end. During the negative half cycle of the input a.c. voltage, the diode
is reverse biased. No current flows in the circuit, and therefore, no voltage i
s developed across (RL). Since only the positive half cycle of the input appear
s across the load, the a.c. input is converted into pulsating direct current (d.
c.).
Disadvantage of Half-Wave-Rectifier :
1.
Half wave rectification involves a lot of wastage of ener
gy and hence it is not preferred.
2.
A small current flows during reverse bias due to minority
charge carriers. As the output across (RL) is negligible.
3.
The resulting d.c. voltage is not steady enough for some
purpose. The following device is used when a very steady d.c. voltage is requir
ed.
JUNCTION DIODE AS A FULL WAVE RECTIFIER
A rectifier which rectifies both waves of the a.c. input is called a
full wave rectifier .
Principle :It is based upon the principle that a junction diode offers lo
w resistance during forward biased and high resistance, when reverse biased.
Difference from half-wave-rectifier :The main difference is that in
full wave rectifier we use two diodes. For this when we apply a.c. current to
the rectifier then the first half wave get forward biased due to first diode. A

nd when the second half wave comes. Then at that time the second diode comes in
action and gets forward biased. Thus output obtained during both the half cycl
es of the a.c. input
Arrangement :- The a.c. supply is applied across the primary coil(P) of a step d
own transformer. The two diodes of the secondary coil(S) of the transformer are
connected to the P-sections of the junction diodes (D1) and (D2). A load resis
tance (RL) is connected across the n-sections of the two diodes and at centre of
the secondary coil. The d.c. output will be obtained across the load resistanc
e (RL).
Theory :Suppose that during first half of the input cycle, upper end of (S)
coil is at positive potential. And lower end is at negative potential. The jun
ction diode (D1) gets forward biased, while the diode. (D2) get reverse biased.
When the second half of the input cycle comes, the situation will be exactly re
verse. Now the junction diode (D2) will conduct. Since the current during both
the half cycles flows from right to left through the load resistance (RL) the o
utput during both the half cycles will be of same nature.
Thus, in a full wave rectifier, the output is continuous but pulsati
ng in nature. However it can be made smooth by using a filter circuit.
REVERSE BIASING ON A JUNCTION DIODE
A P-n junction is said to be reverse biased if the positive terminal
of the external battery B is connected to n-side and the negative terminal to p
-side of the p-n junction. In reverse biasing, the reverse bias voltage support
s the potential barrier VB. (Now the majority carriers are pulled away from the
junction and the depletion region become thick. There is no conduction across t
he junction due to majority carriers. However, a few minority carriers (holes i
n n-section and electrons in p-section) of p-n Junction diode cross the junction
after being accelerated by high reverse bias voltage. Since the large increase
in reverse voltage shows small increase in reverse current, hence, the resistan
ce of p-n junction is high to the flow of current when reverse biased.
MATERIAL REQUIRED
1.
Transformer :
It is device which is used to increase or decrease the a
lternating current and alternating voltage. For the rectifier, it may be step do
wn or step up.
2.
Junction Diode :
It is made up of p-type and n-type semiconductor which c
onducts when the p terminal of diode to connect to positive terminal of battery
and n region is connected to negative terminal of battery i.e. during forward bi
ased and does not conduct during reverse biased.