Rectification

Diode Applications
rectifier
Pronunciation: 'rek-t&-"fI(-&)r
Function: noun
: one that rectifies; specifically : a device for
converting alternating current into direct current

Half-Wave Rectifier

Full-Wave Rectifier

Bridge Rectifier
Rectification
Conversion of ac to dc.
Many devices (transistors) are unidirectional current
devices
DC required for proper operation.
Half Wave Rectifier
Full Wave Rectifier
Bridge Rectifier
Bridge Rectifier
Full Wave Rectifier
SINUSODIAL INPUT
HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION
Half-Wave Rectifier

Vdc 0.318Vm
Vdc 0.318(Vm VT )
Effect of VT on half-wave rectified
signal
Determining the required PIV ratting for the
half wave rectifier
The peak Inverse voltage
PIV
for half wave rectifier

PIVrating Vm
Bridge Rectifier
Input and output waveforms for a full wave
rectifier full wave rectifier
Determining the required PIV ratting for the
bridge configuration

PIV Vm
Full wave rectification
Full wave rectification
Full wave rectification
Full wave rectification
Full wave rectification
Power supply filtering
 Comparison of ripple
voltages
for half- wave and full- wave for the same
filter capacitor
The voltage when the filter
capacitor discharge through Rl
 Concept Question

Sketch a circuit for a half-wave rectifier.

Also, make a plot of voltage versus time
for the voltage output across the load
resistor.
 Concept Question
Sketch a circuit for a full-wave
rectifier. Also, make a plot of
voltage versus time for the
voltage output across the load
resistor.
Filters
We have now used diodes to produced a pulsed dc
signal.
Most equipment requires regulated dc
We must remove the ripple
Ripple is departure of waveform from pure dc (flat,
constant voltage level)
Frequency so far we have seen pulsed dc at the same frequency
as the input ( wave) or twice the line frequency (full wave
rectifier)
Amplitude a measure of the effectiveness of the filter
 Alternate Definition
Defined also for current
Iac = effective value of ac harmonic component
Idc = average of dc component

I rms I dc
2
I ac
2
so,
For -wave rectifier r = 1.21
I ac I rms
2
I dc
2

For full-wave rectifier r = 0.48

I ac
r
I dc
2
r rms 1
I
I dc
Diode Applications
Half wave rectifier and equivalent circuit with piece-
wise linear model

Ideal Vc Rf

vi vi

v i = VM sin (t)
Half Wave Rectifier
We initially consider the diode to be ideal, such that VC
=0 and Rf =0
Half Wave Rectifier
The (ideal) diode conducts for vi >0 and since Rf =0
v0 vi

For vi < 0 the (ideal) diode is an open circuit (it

doesnt conduct) and
v0 0.
Half Wave Rectifier
In this simplified (ideal diode) case the input and
output waveforms are as shown

The diode must withstand a peak inverse voltage

of V M
Half Wave Rectifier
The average d.c. value of this half-wave-rectified
sine wave is

1
VAV VM sin d 0
2 0

cos cos 0
VM VM
2
Half Wave Rectifier
So far this rectifier is not very useful.
Even though the output does not change polarity it has
a lot of ripple, i.e. variations in output voltage about a
steady value.
To generate an output voltage that more closely
resembles a true d.c. voltage we can use a reservoir or
smoothing capacitor in parallel with the output (load)
resistance.
Smoothed Half Wave Rectifier

Circuit with reservoir Output voltage

capacitor
The capacitor charges over the period t1 to t2 when the diode
is on and discharges from t2 to t3 when the diode is off.
Smoothed Half Wave Rectifier
When the supply voltage exceeds the output voltage
the (ideal) diode conducts. During the charging period
(t1 < t< t2)
vo = VM sin (t)
(The resistance in the charging circuit is strictly Rf which
we have assumed to be zero. Even for a practical diode
RfC will be very small)
Smoothed Half Wave Rectifier
When the supply voltage falls below the output
voltage the diode switches off and the capacitor
discharges through the load.
During the discharge period (t2 < t< t3 ) and

vo = VM exp {- t /RC}

where t= t- t2
At time t3 the supply voltage once again exceeds the
load voltage and the cycle repeats
Smoothed Half Wave Rectifier

The resistance in the discharge phase is the load

resistance R.
RC can be made large compared to the wave period.
The change in output voltage (or ripple) can then be
estimated using a linear approximation to the
exponential discharge.
Ripple Factor
Vrms ( ripple voltage out)
r
V(average out)

Low r indicates better filtering

Smoothed Half Wave Rectifier
vo = VM exp {- t /RC} VM [ 1- (t /RC)]
The change in voltage V is therefore approximately
given by VM t /RC
For a the half wave rectifier this discharge occurs for a
time (t3 - t2 ) close to the period T = 1/f, with f=
frequency.
Giving the required result:
VMT
V
RC
Smoothed Half Wave Rectifier
We can define a ripple factor as

V
Ripple factor
Vd.c
where Vd.c. = (VM - V/2)

The lower the ripple factor the better

Half Wave Rectifier
If we dont consider the diode to be ideal then from
the equivalent circuit we obtain, for vi >Vc:
vi Vc i Rf - iR =0
i.e.
vi Vc
Giving i
( Rf R)

R
vo iR (vi Vc ) vi Vc
( Rf R)
Non-Ideal Half Wave Rectifier
VM
Non-Ideal Half Wave Rectifier
A plot of v0 against vi is known as the transfer
characteristic

R/(R + Rf)

VC vi
Non-Ideal Half Wave Rectifier
We usually have R>> Rf so that Rf can be neglected
in comparison to R.
Often VM >> Vc so Vc can also be neglected.

The transfer characteristic then reduces to

v0 v i
Full-Wave (Bridge) Rectifier

vi

We initially consider the diodes to be ideal,

such that VC =0 and Rf =0
The four-diode bridge can be bought as a
package
Full-Wave (Bridge) Rectifier

vi

During positive half cycles vi is positive.

Current is conducted through diodes D1, resistor R
and diode D2
Meanwhile diodes D3 and D4 are reverse biased.
Full-Wave (Bridge) Rectifier

vi

During negative half cycles vi is negative.

Current is conducted through diodes D3,
resistor R and diode D4
Meanwhile diodes D1 and D2 are reverse biased.
 Full-Wave (Bridge) Rectifier

Current always flows the same way through the

load R.
Show for yourself that the average d.c. value of
this full-wave-rectified sine wave is VAV = 2VM/
(i.e. twice the half-wave value)
Full-Wave (Bridge) Rectifier
Two diodes are in the conduction path.
Thus in the case of non-ideal diodes vo will
be lower than vi by 2VC.
As for the half-wave rectifier a reservoir
capacitor can be used. In the full wave case
the discharge time is T/2 and VMT
V
2RC
Half Wave Capacitive Filter
Improving the ripple factor

During forward bias half-cycle, capacitor is charging

During the reverse bias half-cycle, the capacitor
discharges through the output resistor
Full Wave Capacitive Filter
Even better ripple factor.
 Zener Regulation Circuit

Since the load is in parallel with the diode, the voltage drop across
RL is always the same as across VR1 and is VZ = constant Zener
voltage
The input voltage V must be greater than VZ.
Zener MUST be operated under load. If not, the zener is still
delivering power (more than usual) and may melt. Recall that the
zener can draw large currents all at the same voltage.