Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET)

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Course No: EEE-1204

Course Name: Electronics I Sessional
Project Name: Design a circuit that can produce a variable DC output voltage
form 1V to 5V with 1V interval from the AC power supply.

Submitted to:
Dr. Tanvir Ahmed
Professor
Department of EEE, RUET

Submitted by:
Name: Al-Momin Hosen
Roll: 2101102
Date:26/09/2023
Department: EEE
Sec:B
Group:3
 (2101101-2101105)

Contents
Project Name .......................................................................................... 3
Theory: .................................................................................................... 3
Required Apparatus: ............................................................................... 3
Circuit Diagram: ...................................................................................... 4
Procedure: .............................................................................................. 5
Report: .................................................................................................... 5
Conclusion: ............................................................................................. 9
Project Name: Design a circuit that can produce a variable DC output voltage form 1V
to 5V with 1V interval from the AC power supply.

Theory:
Rectification is a fundamental process in electronics, where an alternating current (AC)
signal is converted into a direct current (DC) signal. This transformation is achieved
through various methods, including the utilization of a full bridge rectifier or a centertapped
transformer. The primary objective of rectification is to convert the sinusoidal AC input
into a pulsating DC output.

AC signal Rectifier Filter Voltage Regulator

In the initial stage of rectification, a full wave rectifier, for example, is employed to create
a pulsating DC waveform from the incoming AC signal. This pulsating DC, however, is
not perfectly smooth and exhibit ripples. To obtain a more stable output, a smoothing
process is introduced, typically involving the utilization of a capacitor.
Despite the implementation of a smoothing capacitor, the pulsating DC signal may still
possess imperfections that could potentially affect the performance of electronic circuits.
To ensure that the output achieves a consistent and constant DC level, voltage regulation
mechanisms are applied. These mechanisms play a crucial role in refining the rectified
signal, ultimately delivering a smooth and reliable DC output. Then resistors are
connected in series across the DC level to obtain required output.
In summary, rectification is a process in electronics, and its effectiveness lies not only in
the conversion of AC to DC but also in the subsequent refinement of the DC signal
through smoothing and voltage regulation techniques. This ensures the delivery of a
stable and dependable DC output, crucial for the seamless operation of various electronic
devices and systems.

Required Apparatus:
1. Center-tapped transformer. (12Vx2 1000mA)
2. Resistor. (6 pieces, 1kohm; 2 pieces 10kohm;1 piece 50kohm.
3. Diode. (1N4007,2 pieces).
4. Capacitor. (1 piece, 100µF).
5. Zener diode. (5V,1piece).
6. Signal Generator.
7. Oscilloscope.
 8. Connecting wires.
Circuit Diagram:

Fig -1

Fig-2
Procedure: 1. The center tapped transformer was connected to the AC
power supply.
2. A full wave rectifier circuit was utilized to convert the AC signal into pulsating DC
signal.
3. A 100µF capacitor was connected across the output of the full wave rectifier to
smooth the pulsating DC signal.
4. The output voltage was examined. If it contained ripples then voltage regulation
was carried out, where one zener diode was connected across the load to obtain
a constant DC level of 5V.
5. But exactly 5V was not obtained. As a result, potentiometer was introduced across
the zener diode to adjust the DC level and obtain exactly a DC level of 5V.
6. Ten resistors each with a resistance of 10kΩ were connected in series across the
regulated 5V DC output.
7. A multimeter was used to measure the potential difference between each resistor
to verify the experiment.

Result:
 Fig-3:Output of the circuit.
All the important parts and their functions is discussed briefly below:

1) Function of a Capacitor:
In a rectifier circuit, a capacitor is often used as a filter element to smooth the output
voltage and reduce the ripple. A full wave rectifier is a simple circuit that converts an
AC signal input into a DC signal output voltage. However, the output of the rectifier
contains ripple or fluctuations due to the pulsating nature of the rectified waveform.
The capacitor plays a crucial role in mitigating and providing this ripple and provide
relatively stable DC output.
During the positive half cycle, the capacitor is charged through the diodes. As the
voltage across the capacitor increases, it stores electrical energy in the form of electric
field. This charging process occurs relatively quickly because the diode only conducts
during the positive half cycle.
During the negative half cycle, the diodes become reverse biased and stops
conducting. In this phase, the capacitor discharges through the load. As the capacitor
releases the stored energy, it supplies current to the load, smoothing the output
voltage.
The ripple voltage is formulated as,
𝑉𝑚 𝑇 𝐼 𝑚𝑇 𝐼𝑚
𝑉𝑟 = = = 𝑅𝐶 𝐶 𝑓𝐶

Here,

𝑉𝑟 = Ripple voltage. (V)

𝑉𝑚 = Peak voltage. (V)

T = Time period. (s)

C = Capacitance. (F)
R = Resistance. (ohm)
f = Frequency. (Hz) τ =

RC (Time constant) 2)

Time Constant (τ):The

time constant
determines how
quickly the capacitor
charges to a certain
percentage (usually
around 63.2%) of its
maximum voltage. A
larger τ indicates a
slower charging
process, while a
smaller τ value results
in faster charging.
Mathematically it takes
approximately 5τ for
the capacitor to charge
up to the almost
maximum voltage.

Time Constant, τ = RC
Unit: Seconds (s)

3) Function of Zener diode as voltage regulator:

A Zener diode in a voltage regulator circuit serves as a voltage reference or voltage
regulator component. Its primary function is to maintain a constant output voltage
across its terminals, even when the input voltage or load conditions vary. This is crucial
in electronic circuits where a stable and precise voltage supply is required for proper
operation.

Here's how a Zener diode functions in a voltage regulator circuit:

1. Voltage Reference: Zener diodes are designed to operate in the breakdown
region, known as the Zener breakdown or avalanche breakdown. In this region,
they have a very stable and well-defined reverse-biased voltage, known as the
 Zener voltage (VZ). This voltage remains relatively constant over a wide range
of current passing through the diode.
2. Voltage Regulation: When you connect a Zener diode in reverse bias across
the output terminals of a power supply or voltage regulator circuit, it ensures
that the voltage across its terminals (VZ) remains constant, even if the input
voltage or load changes. This is because the Zener diode maintains a fixed
voltage drop across its terminals by allowing a controlled amount of reverse
current to flow through it.
3. Load Regulation: Zener diodes also help in load regulation. As the load on the
regulator circuit changes, the Zener diode adjusts the current flowing through it
to maintain the specified output voltage. This keeps the output voltage stable
even when the load varies.
Common voltage regulator circuits that use Zener diodes include linear voltage regulators
like the simple Zener diode regulator and the Zener diode in combination with a series
resistor, as well as more complex integrated voltage regulator ICs that incorporate Zener
diodes as voltage references.
4. Function of a potentiometer:
A potentiometer is a variable resistor with three terminals: two fixed ends and a
movable wiper. Potentiometers are commonly used for adjusting the output
voltage across a load in various electronic circuits, particularly in voltage divider
configurations. Here's how a potentiometer functions in adjusting output voltage:
1. Voltage Divider: When used as a voltage divider, a potentiometer divides
the input voltage across its two fixed ends, creating an adjustable output voltage
at the wiper terminal. The potentiometer is typically connected between the supply
voltage (Vin) and ground (GND), with the wiper terminal connected to the load.
𝑛𝑘Ω
𝑉𝑖𝑛 = 𝑉𝑡
10𝑘Ω
Where n = number of resistors,𝑉𝑡= total voltage differences across 10𝑘Ω
2. Variable Resistance: As you turn the knob or adjust the wiper of the
potentiometer, the resistance between the wiper terminal and one of the fixed ends
changes. This variable resistance effectively changes the ratio of voltage drop
across the load and the voltage across the entire potentiometer. The load is
connected across the wiper terminal and one of the fixed ends.
3. Output Voltage Adjustment: By adjusting the potentiometer's wiper, you can
control the fraction of the input voltage that reaches the load. Turning the wiper in
one direction increases the voltage across the load, while turning it in the other
direction decreases it. This allows you to precisely adjust the output voltage to a
desired level within the potentiometer's specified range.
Conclusion:
1. Center-tapped transformer full wave rectification was used to convert the AC signal
into a pulsating DC signal.
2. Capacitor was used to smoothen the pulsating wave into a more DC output signal.
The higher the capacitance of the capacitor, the smoother the signal will be.
3. Zener diode was introduced across the almost smooth DC output as a form of
voltage regulation to get a perfectly constant DC level.
4. Potentiometer was used to adjust the DC level and get the required output voltage.
5. Thus, the voltages across each resistor were obtained accurately with an interval
of 1V DC level.