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INTRODUCTION

A rectifier a simple diode or group of diodes which 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.

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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. 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).

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THEORY

The half-wave rectifier circuit is made by using a semiconductor diode (D) with a load resistance RL . The diode is
connected in series with the secondary of the transformer and the load resistance RL. The primary of the
transformer is being connected to the ac supply mains.

The ac voltage acro the secondary winding

ss
changes after ever half of
polarities y cycle input
wave. During the positive half-cycles of the input ac voltage i.e. when upper end of the secondary winding is positive
w.r.t. its lower end, the diode is forward biased and therefore conducts current. If the forward resistance of the diode is
assumed to be zero (in practice, however, a small resistance exists) the input voltage during the positive half-cycles is
directly applied to the load resistance RL, making its upper end positive w.r.t. its lower end. The

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waveforms of the output current and output voltage are of the same shape as that of the input ac voltage.

Durin th negative half cycles of the input

g e ac
voltag i. when the lower end of the
e e. secondary
winding is positive w.r.t. its upper end, the diode is reverse biased and so does not conduct. Thus during the negative
half cycles of the input ac voltage, the use a filter across the load. Since only half-cycles of the input wave are used, it is
called a half wave rectifier.

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Output of half wave rectifier is not a constant DC voltage. In real life applications, we need a power supply with
smooth wave forms. In other words, we desire a DC power supply with constant output voltage. A constant output
voltage from the DC power supply is very important as it directly impacts the reliability of the electronic device we
connect to the power supply.
We can make the output of half wave rectifier smooth by using a filter (a capacitor filter or an inductor filter) across
the diode. In some cases an resistor-capacitor coupled filter (RC) is also used.

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EXPERIMENT

MEASUREMENT OF CURRENT USING HALFWAVE RECTFIER

AIM:-
To determine the current by measuring
voltage and resistance using Halfwave Rectifier.

MATERIAL REQUIRED:-

• Diode
• Capacitor(50v)
• Voltmeter
• Resistance box
• Ac supply
• Wires for connection

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

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OBSERVATION:-

RESISTANCE(in VOLT(in
ohm) V)
1 0.7
2 1.1

3 1.4

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4 1.6
5 1.8

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CALCULATIONS:-

Mean v=0.7+1.1+1.4+1.6+1.8 = 1.32 v

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Mean R= 1+2+3+4+5 =3 ohm
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Current I = Mean V / Mean R

= 1.32 / 3
= 0.264 Ampere.

RESULT:-

The average current produced by the halfwave rectifier = 0.264 Ampere.

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CONCLUSION

A half wave rectifier is rarely used in practice. It is never preferred as the power supply of an audio circuit because of
the very high ripple factor. High ripple factor will result in noises in input audio signal, which in turn will affect audio
quality.
Advantage of a half wave rectifier is only that its cheap, simple and easy to construct. It is cheap because of the low
number of components involved. Simple because of the straight forwardness in circuit design.
Measuring the mean current flow helps us to understand the amount of AC current passed through the circuit.

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BIBILOGRAPHY

• http://www.physics-and-radio- electronics.com/electronic-devices-and- circuits/rectifier/

halfwaverectifier.html
• http://www.electronics- tutorials.ws/diode/diode_5.html
• http://www.circuitstoday.com/half-wave- rectifiers
• GOOGLE IMAGES
• www.wikipedia.com
• NCERT Physics book
• Comprehensive Lab Manual

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PRECAUTIONS:-

❖ DO NOT SWITCH ON THE CIRCUIT BEFORE CHECKING WHEATHER IT IS CORRECT OR

NOT

❖ THE CONNECTION BETWEEN VOLTMETER AND RESISTANCE BOX SHOULD BE MADE

CORRECTLY .

❖ CONNECT ALL THE WIRES PROPERLY. LOOSE CONNECTION MAY END UP IN FAILURE OF
CIRCUIT.

❖ CAPACITOR OF LESS VOLT MAY BE CONNECTED TO THE DIODE.

SOURCES OF ERROR:-

o The p and n parts of the diode may be changed.

o The wire connection may be loose.

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