A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which

periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction.
The process is known as rectification. Physically, rectifiers take a number of forms,
includingvacuum tube diodes, mercury-arc valves, copper and selenium oxide
rectifiers, semiconductor diodes, silicon-controlled rectifiers and other silicon-based
semiconductor switches. Historically, even synchronous electromechanical switches
and motors have been used. Early radio receivers, called crystal radios, used a "cat's
whisker" of fine wire pressing on a crystal of galena (lead sulfide) to serve as a pointcontact rectifier or "crystal detector".
Rectifiers have many uses, but are often found serving as components of DC power
supplies and high-voltage direct current power transmission systems. Rectification may
serve in roles other than to generate direct current for use as a source of power. As
noted,detectors of radio signals serve as rectifiers. In gas heating systems flame
rectification is used to detect presence of a flame.
Because of the alternating nature of the input AC sine wave, the process of rectification
alone produces a DC current that, though unidirectional, consists of pulses of current.
Many applications of rectifiers, such as power supplies for radio, television and
computer equipment, require a steady constant DC current (as would be produced by
a battery). In these applications the output of the rectifier is smoothed by an electronic
filter (usually a capacitor) to produce a steady current.
More complex circuitry that performs the opposite function, converting DC to AC, is
called an inverter.

Introduction
A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically
reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction. The process
is known as rectification. When a single rectifier unit is placed in series with the load
across an ac supply, it converts alternating voltage into uni-directional pulsating voltage,
using one half cycles of the applied voltage, the other half cycles being suppressed
because it conducts only in one direction. Unless there is an inductance or battery in the
circuit, the current will be zero, therefore, for half the time. This is called half-wave
rectification. As already discussed, diode is an electronic device consisting of two
elements known as cathode and anode. Since in a diode electrons can flow in one
direction only i.e. from cathode to anode so the diode provides the unilateral conduction

necessary for rectification. This is true for diodes of all types-vacuum, gas-filled, crystal
or semiconductor, metallic (copper oxide and selenium types) diodes. Semiconductor
diodes, because of their inherent advantages are usually used as a rectifying device.
However, for very high voltages, vacuum diodes may be employed.
The half-wave rectifier circuit using a semiconductor diode with a load resistance RL but
no smoothing filter is there. 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 primary function of Half-wave and Full-wave
rectification system is to establish a DC level from a sinusoidal input signal that has zero
average (DC) voltage. The Half-wave voltage signal normally established by a network
with a single diode has an average or equivalent DC voltage level equal to 31.8 % of the
peak value Vm, that is given as:
Vdc = 0.318 Vpeak Volts

Half Wave Rectifier Circuit Diagram And

Working Principle

his post provides an information about half wave recifier and its working principle.

half wave rectifier

In this type only one diode is used. Generally a step-down transformer is used to provide the
required secondary voltage. The transformer isolates the load from the line. This reduces
the possibility of electric shock.

In the positive half cycle of secondary voltage, the diode is forward biased for voltages
greater than the offset voltage. The offset voltage is 0.7 V for silicon diodes and 0.3 V
for germanium diodes. This produces a half sine wave of voltage across the load resistor.
In the negative half cycle, the diode is reverse biased. The load current drops to zero.
The load current is always in the same direction. This provides rectification.
Average Voltage = Vdc = Vp/ = 0.318 Vp
Where, Vp = peak value of voltage across secondary. The value of direct current, the diode
can handle is called as Current rating of diode (Io).
Peak Inverse Voltage In the negative half cycle, the diode is reverse-biased. All
secondary voltage appears across the diode. The maximum negative (reverse) voltage
appearing across the diode is called the Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV). To avoid break down,
the PIV must be less than PIV rating of the diode. For half wave rectifier PIV = Vp.

Construction & Working

Rectifier type instrument measures the alternating voltage and

current with the help of rectifying elements and permanent magnet
moving coil type of instruments. However the primary function of
rectifier type of instruments work as voltmeter. Now one question must
arises in our mind why we use rectifier type of instruments widely in
the industrial world though we have various other ac voltmeter like
electrodynamometer type instruments, thermocouple type instruments
etc? The answer to this question is very simple and is written as
follows.
(a) Cost of electrodynamometer type of instruments is quite high
than rectifier type of instruments. However rectifier type of
instruments as much accurate as electrodynamometer type of

instruments. So rectifier type of instruments are preferred over

electrodynamometer type instruments.
(b) (b) The thermocouple instruments are more delicate than the
rectifier type of instruments. However thermocouple type of
instruments is more widely used at very high frequencies.
(c) Before we look at the construction principle and working of
rectifier type instruments, there is need to discuss in detail
about the voltage current characteristics of ideal and practical
rectifier element called diode.
(d) Let us first discuss the ideal characteristics of rectifying element.
Now what is an ideal rectifying element? A rectifying element is
one which offers zero resistance if it is forward biased and offers
infinite resistance if it is reversed biased. This property is used
to rectify the voltages (rectification means to convert an
alternating quantity into direct quantity i.e. ac to dc). Consider
the circuit diagram given below.
(e) In the given circuit diagram the ideal diode is connected in

series with the voltage source and load resistance. Now when
we make the diode forward biased it conducts perfectly offering
zero electrical resistance path. Thus behaves as short circuited.
We can make the diode forward biased by connecting the
positive terminal of the battery with anode and negative
terminal with cathode. The forward characteristic of rectifying
element or diode is shown in the voltage current characteristic.
Now when we apply negative voltage i.e. connecting the
negative terminal of the battery with the anode terminal of the
diode and positive terminal of the battery to the cathode
terminal of the diode. Due to reverse biased it offers infinite
electrical resistance and thus it behaves as open circuit. The
complete voltage current characteristics are shown below.

(f) Let us again consider the same circuit but the difference is here

we are using the practical rectifying element instead of ideal

one. Practical rectifying element is having some finite forward
blocking voltage and high reverse blocking voltage. We will apply
the same procedure in order to obtain the voltage current
characteristics of practical rectifying element. Now when we
make the practical rectifying element forward biased it does not
conduct till the applied voltage is not greater the forward
breakdown voltage or we can say knee voltage. When the
applied voltage becomes greater than the knee voltage then
diode or rectifying element will come under conduction mode.
Thus behaves as short circuited but due to some electrical
resistance there is voltage drop across this practical diode. We
can make the rectifying element forward biased by connecting
the positive terminal of the battery with anode and negative
terminal with cathode. The forward characteristic of practical
rectifying element or diode is shown in the voltage current
characteristic. Now when we apply negative voltage i.e.
connecting the negative terminal of the battery with the anode
terminal of the diode and positive terminal of the battery to the
cathode terminal of the rectifying element. Due to reverse
biased it offers finite resistance and the negative voltage till the
applied voltage becomes equal to reverse break down voltage
and thus it behaves as open circuit. The complete characteristics
are shown below.