Filter Circuit using Full Wave Rectifier

What is a Rectifier?

A rectifier is an electronic device that converts Alternating current (AC) to Direct current (DC). The
process of converting AC to DC is called rectification. A p-n junction diode is a primary component that is
used as a rectifier. Rectifiers can be broadly classified into two: Half-wave rectifiers and Full-wave
rectifiers. Both half-wave rectifiers and full-wave rectifiers consist of p-n junction diodes. Rectifiers are
used widely in electrical and electronic circuits. For example, you can find a rectifier inside the LED bulbs
we use in our households. An LED only works in DC, that's why a rectifier is used in LED bulbs whose
source is AC. It can also be found in our mobile phone chargers and many other devices.

Rectifier Components

Before we Begin on the working of Rectifier, let us look at the Components of the Rectifier
  P-N junction diode: A p-n junction diode is a device that only allows current flow in one
direction. It allows current flow when the P side of the diode has a higher potential than the N
side and such a condition is called forward biased. It prevents the flow of current when the N side
has a higher potential than the P side and it is known as the reverse biased condition.

 Alternating Current (AC): It is an electric current that changes its direction periodically

 DC Current (DC): It is a type of electric current that does not change its direction periodically.

 Waveform: Waveform is a graphical representation of the magnitude and direction of electric

current or voltage.

 Vrms and Irms: Vrms and Irms are the root mean square values of voltage and current of AC
respectively. It is 1/√2 times the peak voltage or current.

 Capacitor: A capacitor is a two-terminal device that stores energy in the form of electric field. It
can charge and discharge in a circuit which helps to reduce fluctuations in the circuit.

 Function Generator: It is a device used to produce electrical waveforms of different

mathematical functions. Here it is used to generate AC with the required voltage and frequency.

A full wave rectifier is a component, in electronics that converts alternating current (AC) into direct
current (DC). Unlike a wave that only utilizes one half of the input cycle a full wave rectifier takes
advantage of both the positive and negative halves of the input cycle resulting in a smoother and more
efficient output. In this article,

A wave rectifier circuit is used to convert an input AC signal into DC by rectifying both negative cycles.
This process is achieved by utilizing diodes that conduct during each cycle of the input signal. The
outcome is a DC output with reduced ripples compared to a half-wave rectifier resulting in a smoother
waveform with a value.

Types of Rectifiers

Rectifiers are classified broadly into two: Half-wave rectifiers and Full-wave rectifiers.

 Half Wave rectifier: A half-wave rectifier allows one AC half-cycle to pass through it and blocks
the other AC half-cycle. Therefore it is called a half-wave rectifier. It is less efficient than a full
wave rectifier as one half cycle is wasted. It has a very simple circuit compared to a full-wave
rectifier.

 Full wave rectifier: A Full wave rectifier can convert both AC half cycle to DC. It allows a one-half
cycle of AC without any modification. And other half cycle is also allowed to pass but it reverses
the direction of that half cycle. Thus it can convert AC to DC. It uses the complete half cycle of AC
 and has no wastage, therefore it is more efficient than Half half-wave rectifier. But it has a
complex circuit consisting of more number of diodes.

Half Wave Rectifier

A Half-wave rectifier is a device that converts Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC). In a Half-
wave rectifier, only one half-cycle of AC is converted to DC and the other half-cycle is blocked. Therefore,
the output waveform produced by a half-wave rectifier consists of ripples of positive half-cycle of the
input waveform and it is called pulsating DC. In a half-wave rectifier, a p-n junction diode is used as a
rectifier. It has a relatively simple circuit consisting of a p-n junction diode connected in series to a load.

Half Wave Rectifier Circuit

Given below is the Circuit diagram of the Half Wave Rectifier. The components of the Half Wave Rectifier
are P-N Junction diode, Ac supply and the load.

H
alf wave rectifier circuit diagram

Construction of Half Wave Rectifier

To Construct a half-wave rectifier, the Components are Assembled as the Following

 Function generator serves as input AC source for us. The positive end of the function generator
(red colored end) is connected to the positive side of the diode(black side of diode without line).
  Next, The negative terminal of the diode (marked by a grey line or indicator) is connected to the
one end of the resistor.

 Now, The other end of the resistor is connected to the remaining terminal of the function
generator. This completes the circuit loop and allows the AC signal from the function generator
to flow through the diode and resistor.

Working of Half Wave Rectifier

In a half-wave rectifier, the AC supply is connected in series to a p-n junction diode and load resistor. An
Alternating current (AC) consists of two half-cycles: Positive half-cycle and Negative half-cycle. Let us take
a look at the working of the half-wave circuit at each half-cycle separately.

 In a positive half-cycle, the Diode is forward-biased and hence acts like a short circuit. Therefore
in a positive half-cycle, current flows through the circuit and produces whole AC input as such in
DC output. In the real world, the output voltage is less than the input voltage considering the
Diode voltage drop.

Equiva
lent circuit in positive half-cycle

 In a negative half-cycle, the Diode is reverse-biased and hence acts like an open circuit.
Therefore, in a negative half-cycle current does not flow through the circuit. And output does
not consist of input negative half-cycle.
 Equiva
lent circuit in negative half-cycle

This step is repeated in each half-cycle and AC is converted into DC. The waveform of input AC and
corresponding rectified DC are shown in the figures below.

Half Wave Rectifier Waveforms

Given below is the Input and output waveform of the half wave rectifier

AC Input Waveform

The below figure shows AC input with a maximum voltage of Vmax. This is the Ac Waveform given as the
input for the half wave rectifier which is converted to the Dc.
AC input waveform

DC Output Waveform

The below figure shows the output waveform of the DC output waveform of a half-wave rectifier. From
the input first a positive half cycle comes and in the positive half cycle diode lets pass the input voltage
through it. You can see the positive half cycle in the output waveform as such from the input waveform.
Then a negative half-cycle comes, but it does not allow to pass the negative half-cycle and we can see
that the negative half-cycle is not present in the output waveform. At that time output voltage is zero.
Then again a positive half cycle comes which is passed through the diode and it is visible in the output
waveform. After that a negative half cycle comes and it is blocked by the diode and is not present in the
output. This process continues to convert AC to DC.
Rectified DC output waveform

Half Wave Rectifier with Filter

we can see that the output of a half-wave rectifier is pulsating DC and pulsating DC cannot be used for
many real-world applications. So, To avoid or reduce the ripples in pulsating DC filters are used.
Generally, capacitors and inductors are used as filters in half-wave rectifier circuits. These capacitors or
inductors reduce ripples in output DC and help in many real-world applications. Although we can reduce
ripples in the output of the half-wave rectifier, it is not possible to completely remove ripples in output
DC.

Half Wave Rectifier Capacitor Filter

Here's the circuit diagram of a half-wave rectifier with a capacitor filter.

 Half Wave
Rectifier with Filter

Working of Half Wave Rectifier with Filter

In a Half-wave rectifier with a filter, the Diode is connected in series to a capacitor and Load resistor
which in turn are connected parallelly as shown in the above circuit diagram. In this circuit, the capacitor
charges in the positive half-cycle and discharges during the negative half-cycle and reduces ripples in the
output. In a positive half cycle, the diode acts as a short circuit and the capacitor charges from the input
source. In the negative half cycle when the diode acts as an open circuit, the capacitor discharges
providing current flow into the Load. Thus adding a capacitor to the circuit helps to maintain DC output
even when AC is in negative half cycle. Given below is the output waveform of the Half wave rectifier
with Filter.
Output waveform of a Half wave rectifier with capacitor filter

Thus a capacitor helps to reduce ripples in the DC output of a half-wave rectifier.

Advantages of Rectifiers

Main advantages of rectifiers are:

 Converts AC to DC power for electronic devices.

 Essential for battery charging in devices and electric vehicles.

 Used in industrial processes like electroplating and welding.

 Enables efficient HVDC power transmission over long distances.

 Provides controlled and stable DC power for precision applications.

 Integral in renewable energy systems for converting variable AC to DC.

 Facilitates signal processing by converting AC signals to rectified signals.

 Contributes to energy efficiency in power conversion processes.

 Cost-effective and reliable for a wide range of applications.

Disadvantages of Rectifiers

Key disadvantages of rectifiers are:

 Generates harmonics and electrical noise during the conversion process.

 May require additional filtering components to reduce output ripple.

  Limited in handling high power levels compared to some alternative technologies.

 Efficiency can decrease at partial loads or when operating away from design conditions.

 High initial costs for certain types of rectifiers and associated equipment.

 Some rectifiers may have a relatively lower power factor, leading to poor power quality.

 Maintenance may be required, especially in heavy industrial applications.

 Possibility of heat generation, requiring cooling mechanisms in high-power rectifiers.

 Incompatible with AC-powered devices, necessitating additional conversion for certain

applications.

 Environmental concerns, as certain types of rectifiers may contain hazardous materials.

Applications of Rectifiers

Some of the key application of rectifiers are:

 It is used for powering appliances as we know all electrical appliances use a DC power supply to
function. By using rectifier in power supply and systems it helps in conversion of AC to DC.

 It is used to soldering and modulation as it is used in mosquito repellent to power the lead for
the fumes.

 Voltage multiplier - As said earlier that rectifiers are used for power conversion such as AC
power to DC power and so on same as they are used to convert AC to DC voltage for electronic
appliances such as microwave ovens and so on.

 Used in Transformers to obtain desired voltage by using rectifier in combination with a step-
down or step-up transformer.

 For Radio appliances rectifiers acts as an detectors because the output consists of an audio
signals. For examples Modulation, Demodulation and power supplies.

PN Junction Diode

The electrical conductivity of a semiconductor material is between that of a conductor, such as metallic
copper, and that of an insulator, such as glass. Its resistivity decreases as the temperature rises, whereas
metals have the reverse effect. By adding impurities (doping) into the crystal structure, its conducting
characteristics can be changed in beneficial ways. Diodes, transistors, and most contemporary
electronics are built on the behaviour of charge carriers such as electrons, ions, and electron holes at
these junctions.

Silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, and elements along the periodic table’s so-called metalloid
staircase are examples of semiconductors. Gallium arsenide is the second most common semiconductor
after silicon, and it is used in laser diodes, solar cells, microwave-frequency integrated circuits, and other
applications. Silicon is a crucial component in the production of most electrical circuits.