Aim :

To construct a full wave rectifier and show that the Alternating

Components are rectified into a direct current.

Introduction :
A full wave rectifier is a device which is used to rectify all the alternating
current components in an alternating supply and make it purely a direct
current. The two alternating halves of an alternation current are rectified in a
full wave rectifier which is an advantage over a half wave rectifier. Most
electronic devices cannot withstand very high voltage or alternating current
due to its intense high power. The use of batteries in all devices is not
practical as their replacement and durability is a huge problem as the device
has to be dismantled each time for such a replacement. So these rectifiers are
used in most of the electronic devices like TVs, Radios, Chargers, Lightings
etc. There are several stages in a rectifier. Based on their rectification they
are classified into two. The single staged & multi staged.
In the multi staged rectifiers, more than two diodes are used and these are
used in the above-mentioned devices. The singled staged rectifier has only 2
diodes, the one we are to discuss in this project. The multi diode rectifier has
only 2 diodes, the one we are to discuss in this project. The multi diode
rectifiers has an efficiency ~ 94.6% while that of the single is only 81.2%

Theory involved :
The input transformer steps down the A.C mains from 220V (nominal) to 9V
between the center tap and either of the two ends of the secondary winding.
The transformer has a capability of delivering a current of 500 mA. The 9V
A.C appearing across the secondary is the RMS value of the waveform and
peak value would be

.The diodes rectify the A.C waveform

appearing across the secondary with the help of alternate forward and
reverse biasing. The capacitor further filters 99% of the resident components
and this is let to pass through the resistance and emerges out as +ve and ve.
The bulb connected verifies the output as it works on Direct Current and if
used on an Alternating Current, the fluctuation will burn out the bulb.

Materials required in the construction :

Connecting wires, a plug, single lead wire - 2m, 3 nuts & Bolts of 2 to 3
cm length, Circuit board of mica, a small box to place the model, a
transformer, A capacitor, A Resistor (1 K ), P-N junction diodes, Insulation
tape, Blades, soldering wax, soldering lead, soldering iron & sand paper.

Details of the materials used :

i)

Connecting wires and a plug

A normal insulated copper wire

able to withstand 230 250 v is required.

ii)

Single lead wire

Thin wire with one single strand of copper

well Insulated and able to conduct a current of 1 ampere or a D.C

current efficiently.
iii)

A circuit board

A normal board of mica facilitated with clips to

simplify the connection.

iv)

Nuts ad bolt

In order to fix the board & transformer firmly.

Size 2 3 cm.
v)

Soldering wax & lead

The wires are to be soldered firmly to

make the connection tight so for this a thin lead wire is required to
affix the connections and wax to make the lead to hold on when
soldered.
vi)

A small box

vii)

A bulb

To place the equipments safely.

To test the output voltage whether Direct or not.

Specification

2.2 6 v it will get burnt on

application of A.C.
viii) A 9-0-9 transformer
Transformer is a device used to change the voltage of an alternating
current. The transformer which converts low voltage to high voltage is
called a step up transformer whereas the one which converts high voltage
to low voltage is called a step down transformer. It consists of a
laminated core consisting of two coils, a primary & a secondary coil. In a

step up the number of turns in the secondary is greater that that of the
primary and the reverse in a step down transformer. Here we use a step
down transformer which steps down 230V to 9V between the secondary
terminals and the center tap.
ix)

A Capacitor

The ability of a metal to store electric charges measures the capacitances

of a conductor. It provides high impedance to Alternating Current and
stores them while all the D.C components are allowed to pass.
Here we deal with a Cylindrical Capacitor of 100

x)

F & 63 v.

A Resistor

A resistor is an electronic components whose resistance value tells us

about the opposition it offers to the flow of electric current. Resistance is
measured in ohms ( ).
Here we use a single resistor of Brown, Red, Red & Gold colour rings.
Its Value = 22 101 10%

xi)

P-N junction Diodes

Here we use a P-N junction diode. The grayish ring indicated the N side
and the Black colouration the P side.
xii)

Finally, small equipments such as a soldering iron to solder the

lead, Blades, holders, insulation tapes to insulate the wire from
shocking and sand paper to rub the oxidized wire ends are used.

Circuit diagram

Connection details :
Connections are done as in the circuit. The A.C. supply is given to
both the input wires of the transformer and the two ends of the
secondary coil is given to the P side of the two diodes and the N side
of the diodes are twined and then connected to one end of the
capacitor and the other end to the center tap lead and to the resistor.
Further, the other end of capacitor with the diode connection is
connected to the other end of the resistor . Connect 2 leads on both
the ends of the resistor to measure the output and this is connected to
the +ve & -ve terminals of the bulb.

Working:
1st when the A.C. is supplied to the transformer, it steps down the
230V main supply to 6 volts. It has a capability of delivering a current
of 500mA. The 6 volts A.C. appearing across the secondary is the
RMS valur and the peak value is

or 8.4 volts. During the 1st

half cycle of the A.C. input Diode D1 is forward biased and a current
I flows in the circuit in the direction S1D1ABEOS1.
During this time diode D2 is reverse biased. So it does not conduct
any electric current. During the next half cycle the diode D2 is
forward and D1 is reversed. Hence D2 conducts current in the
direction S2D2ABEOS2 and D1 does not conduct any current. In
subsequent half cycles of the A.C current the above processes are
repeated. In both the half cycles it is clear that current flows through
the resistor in only one direction ABE. Even though the voltage across
RL is unidirectional it will still contain a few A.C components. This is
filtered and made smooth using a capacitor, which filters 99% of the
A.C current. A resistor is then used to adjust the output voltage. We
can then test the o/p Voltage using a multi-meter.
Efficiency of Rectification =

D.C power output

Total A.C input power

For a half wave rectifier, ~ 0.406 = 40.6 %

For a full wave rectifier, the one used here is

~ 0.812 = 81.2 %

By the use of more number of diodes the efficiency can be increase to

a maximum of 94.6%. Here we only use 2 diodes. The use of multiple

capacitors also nearly filters all A.C components from the supply and
resistance is adjusted for the required output. As this is a simple
circuit, only one capacitor and a resistance is being used. But there
will be slight factor of A.C. current still left in the output but it is
negligible.

RECTIFIED D.C VOLTAGE

BIBILIOGRAPHY
Comprehensive Practical Physics
NCERT Physics Part -II
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