Electronic Circuits and Devices Laboratory - ELCE-221 Experiment No.

2 Diode Applications (Part A) Rectifiers, Clippers

Aim: To study the behaviour of diode as rectifiers and clippers. Objectives: On completion of this experiment the student should be able to: 1. Understand the behaviour of silicon diode as a Half-Wave Rectifier. 2. Understand the behaviour of silicon diode as a Full-Wave Rectifier. 3. Understand the behaviour of silicon diode as a Clipper.

Introduction: Rectifiers:
One of the important applications of the p-n junction diodes is in converting alternating input (AC) into pulsating output. The unique property of a diode, permitting current to flow only in one direction, can be utilized in converting alternating current to direct current. This lab will focus on three main rectification circuits: a) Half-wave rectifier b) Full-Wave Rectifier (Centre-tapped) c) Full-Wave Rectifier (Bridge) A. Half-wave rectifier Half-wave rectifiers allow either the positive or negative half cycle of the AC signal to pass and block the other one. The half-wave rectifier circuit shown in figure 2.1 consists of a diode that will fully conduct the current during the positive half-cycle, resulting in an output voltage almost equal to the input one. On the other hand the diode will act as an open circuit blocking the current to conduct in the negative half cycle, resulting in a zero voltage. The net result is that only the positive half cycle will appear across the load. The average DC voltage across the load will equal Vl (dc) = 0.45 (Vsrms - VD), where Vsrms is the r.m.s value of Vs and VD=0.7V. As a result half-wave rectifiers are highly inefficient in converting AC power to DC power. Full-wave rectifiers can be used to improve the conversion efficiency of AC power to DC power. B. Full-Wave Rectifier (Centre-tapped) The Full-Wave Rectifier (Centre-tapped) shown in figure 2.2 consists of two diodes. During the positive half cycle the diode D1 is forward biased where as the diode D2 is reversed biased as a result the diode D1 conducts and the current will flow through the load.

Figure 2.1: Half-wave rectifier circuit In the negative half cycle D1 is reversed biased where as the diode D2 is forward biased, current will flow through the load in the same direction. The net result is that current will conduct continuously in a unidirectional path in both half cycles. The average DC voltage across the load will equal (Vl (dc) = 0.9(Vsrms - VD)), where Vsrms is the r.m.s. of Vs and VD=0.7V. The main disadvantage of this type of full wave rectifier circuit is that a larger transformer for a given power output is required with two separate but identical secondary windings.

Figure 2.2: Full-wave rectifier circuit C. Full-Wave Rectifier (Bridge) The Full-Wave Rectifier (Bridge) shown in figure 2.3 consists of four diodes in a bridge configuration. During each half cycle only 2 of 4 diodes are conducting, in the positive half cycle D2 and D3 are forward biased where as the other two diodes will be reversed biased and the current will flow in the load. In the negative half cycle D1 and D4 will be forward biased where as the other two diodes will be reversed biased and the current will flow in the load in the same direction. The net result is that current will conduct continuously in a unidirectional path both half cycles. The average DC voltage across the load will equal (Vl (dc) =0.9(Vsrms 2VD)), where Vsrms is the r.m.s. of Vs and VD=0.7V.

Figure 2.3: Full-wave rectifier circuit

Clippers:
Clippers are wave-shaping circuits as shown in figure 2.4 that are used to prevent signal voltages from going above or below certain levels. The clipping level may be either equal to the diode's barrier potential or made variable with a dc source voltage. Because of this limiting capability, the clipper is also called a limiter.

Figure 2.4: Clipper circuit

Procedure: Task 1: Diode as a Half-Wave Rectifier:

1. 2. 3. 4. Build the half-wave rectifier circuit shown in Figure 2.1, paying careful attention to the polarity of the 1N4001 diode. Using the oscilloscope sketch the secondary transformer voltage Vs, as well as the load voltage (Vl) Measure the r.m.s values of (Vs) as well as the load voltage (Vl) across the 10 k resistor, recording your results in Table 1. Measure the dc voltage (VlDC) across the 10 k resistor using digital millimetre and record your results in Table 1.

5. Are the above results as expected? Note: Turn off the power to the transformer after finishing your measurements.

Task 2: Diode as a Full-Wave Rectifier (Centre-tapped):

1. Build the full-wave rectifier (Centre-tapped) circuit shown in Figure 2.2 and paying careful attention to the polarity of both diodes. 2. Using the oscilloscope sketch the secondary transformer voltage Vs, as well as the load voltage (Vl) 3. Measure the r.m.s values of ( Vs) as well as the load voltage ( Vl) across the 10 k resistor, recording your results in Table 1. 4. Measure the dc voltage (VlDC) across the 10 k resistor using digital millimetre and record your results in Table 1. 5. Are the above results as expected? Note: Turn off the power to the transformer after finishing your measurements.

Task 3: Diode as a Full-Wave Rectifier (Bridge):

1. Build the full-wave rectifier (Bridge) circuit shown in Figure 2.3 and paying careful attention to the polarity of both diodes 2. Using the oscilloscope sketch the load voltage (Vl). (Dont attempt to measure V s using your oscilloscope) 3. Measure the r.m.s values of (Vl) across the 10 k resistor, recording your results in Table 1. 4. Measure the dc voltage (VlDC) across the 10 k resistor using digital millimetre and record your results in Table 1. 5. Are the above results as expected? Note: Turn off the power to the transformer after finishing your measurements.

Table l: Experiment Results

Measured Parameter VSrms Vlrms VlDC Half-Wave Rectifier Centre-Tapped Full-Wave Rectifier Bridge Full- Wave Rectifier
Dont attempt to measure it using the oscilloscope

Task 4: Diode as a Clipper:

1. Build the clipper circuit shown in Figure 2.4, connecting V1 to the variable power supply and keeping it at 0V. 2. Using the oscilloscope sketch the secondary transformer voltage Vs, as well as the load voltage (Vl) 3. At what level did the clipping occur? 4. Increase the value of V1 and then sketch the input and output waveforms and measure the level at which clipping occurs. 5. Now return V1 to 0 V and reverse the polarity of the diode in the circuit and then sketch the input and output waveforms and measure the level at which clipping occurs. 6. Are the above output wave forms as expected?

Results and Conclusions:

You should attach all your results and expected to comment on them. Also, it is required to give your conclusions on the whole experiment.

References:
[1] A. Sedra and K. Smith, Microelectronic Circuits, 6th edition, Oxford University Press, 2010. [2] R. Boylestad and L. Nashelsky, Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10th edition, Prentice-Hall, 2008.

Electronic Circuits and Devices Laboratory ELCE-221

Laboratory Experiment NO: 2 Marking Sheet (Include this as the cover sheet for your report) Students Names and ID Nos: 1-. 2-. 3-. Date of Experiment: ..

Laboratory Section: .

Please note that your work for this laboratory experiment will be assessed according to the marking scheme below. Please take this into account when conducting the experiment and writing the report.

No.
1.

Criteria
Performance in the lab

Description
This is to reflect the students Performance in the Lab

Weight %

Mark
1. 2.

Comments

20 3.

2.

Results and Analysis

Documentation and analysis of the results for each task performed in the lab. Conclusions for each task performed in the lab and the answers of the discussion questions. Overall presentation of the report including layout and clarity of figures, tables and graphs. Correct use of English language.

40

3.

Discussion/ Conclusion

20

4.

Report presentation

20

Total

100