Name Imran Ahmad

Reg. # 23-NTU-TE-0112

Experiment 7:

Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in half-wave rectifier both

Theory

The main application of a diode is in rectification circuits. These circuits are used to describe the
conversion of AC signals to DC signals in power supplies. Diode rectifier gives one-direction
alternating voltage which pulsates in accordance with time. The filter smoothes the pulsation in
the voltage and to produce pure DC voltage, a regulator is used which removes the ripples. There
are two primary methods of diode rectification: half-wave rectifier and full-wave rectifier.
In a half-wave rectifier, one half of each AC input cycle is rectified. When the p-n junction diode
is forward biased, it gives little resistance and when it is reversed biased it provides high
resistance. During one-half cycles, the diode is forward biased when the input voltage is applied
and in the opposite half cycle, it is reverse biased. During alternate half-cycles, the optimum
result can be obtained. In contrast, full-wave rectifier circuits are used for producing an output
voltage or output current which is purely DC. The main advantage of a full-wave rectifier over
half-wave rectifier is that such as the average output voltage is higher in full-wave rectifier, there
is less ripple produced in full-wave rectifier when compared to the half-wave rectifier.

Half-wave rectifier without and with capacitor filter

Circuit Diagram

a) b)

Figure 1 Half-wave rectifier a) without and b) with capacitor filter

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 8 a) using Electro-technic Lab Trainer and
connecting leads.
2. Measure the AC voltage across the output terminals of the transformer using DMM and
record the reading.
12.16
--------------------

3. The AC voltage measured in 2. is the rms value. Calculate its peak value.

17.19
--------------------

4. Measure the DC voltage across the load resistor with the help of digital multi-meter and
record.
5.47
--------------------
5. Connect probe of the oscilloscope across the output terminals of the load resistor R.
6. Turn on the scope, set the channel selector to “Dual” mode, and coupling to DC. View
the signals with proper voltage and position setting.
7. Set the selector switch of the multi-meter at AC voltage range.
8. Paste picture of the output voltage observed by the oscilloscope in the following chart.

9. Measure the output frequency and record.

50 Hz
--------------------
10. Measure the peak value of the output voltage of the half-wave rectifier with the help of
oscilloscope and record.

15
--------------------

11. Using your answer in 10) calculate the average value of output voltage of the half-wave
rectifier.

4.7
--------------------

12. Now, connect the capacitor filter across the load resistor as in Figure 8 b).

13. Paste picture of the output voltage observed by the oscilloscope in the following chart.

Interpretation and Analysis

Is there any difference between the measured DC voltage across the load resistor and
the calculated average value of output voltage of the half-wave rectifier? If yes, then
why?
ANSWER: Yes, there is a difference. The calculated average voltage assumes an
ideal DC component, but in reality, the output of a half-wave rectifier is a
pulsating DC with ripple, leading to fluctuations around the average.
Additionally, diode voltage drops reduce the actual output, making the
measured DC voltage slightly lower than the ideal calculated value.
Is it possible to change the frequency of output voltage?

ANSWER: No, for a half-wave rectifier, the output frequency is the same as the
input frequency because it passes only one half of each AC cycle. To change
the output frequency, you’d need to modify the circuit type, such as using a
frequency multiplier or other frequency-altering components.

Conclusion
In conclusion, a half-wave rectifier produces an output frequency that matches
the input frequency, as it only rectifies one half of each AC cycle. Altering the
output frequency requires additional circuit modifications beyond basic
rectification, such as frequency multipliers, to achieve a different frequency
output.
 Name Imran Ahmad
Reg. # 23-NTU-TE-0112

Experiment 8:

Demonstrate the behavior of semiconductor diodes in full-wave rectifier both

Theory

The main application of a diode is in rectification circuits. These circuits are used to describe the
conversion of AC signals to DC signals in power supplies. Diode rectifier gives one-direction
alternating voltage which pulsates in accordance with time. The filter smoothes the pulsation in
the voltage and to produce pure DC voltage, a regulator is used which removes the ripples. There
are two primary methods of diode rectification: half-wave rectifier and full-wave rectifier.
In a half-wave rectifier, one half of each AC input cycle is rectified. When the p-n junction diode
is forward biased, it gives little resistance and when it is reversed biased it provides high
resistance. During one-half cycles, the diode is forward biased when the input voltage is applied
and in the opposite half cycle, it is reverse biased. During alternate half-cycles, the optimum
result can be obtained. In contrast, full-wave rectifier circuits are used for producing an output
voltage or output current which is purely DC. The main advantage of a full-wave rectifier over
half-wave rectifier is that such as the average output voltage is higher in full-wave rectifier, there
is less ripple produced in full-wave rectifier when compared to the half-wave rectifier.

Circuit Diagram

a) b)

Figure 2 Full-wave rectifier a) without and b) with capacitor filter

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 9 a) using Electro-technic Lab Trainer and
Connecting leads.
2. Set the selector switch of the multi-meter at AC voltage range.
3. Measure the AC voltage across the output terminals of the transformer using DMM and
record the reading.
12.16
--------------------
4. The AC voltage measured in 3. is the rms value. Calculate its peak value.

17.19
--------------------
5. Measure the DC voltage across the load resistor with the help of multi-meter and record.
10.56
--------------------
6. Connect probe of the oscilloscope across the output terminals of the load resistor R.
7. Turn on the scope, set the channel selector to “Dual” mode, and coupling to DC. View
the signals with proper voltage and position setting.
8. Measure the peak value of the output of the full-wave rectifier with the help of
oscilloscope and record.
14
--------------------

9. Using your answer in 8. calculate the average value of output voltage of the half-wave
rectifier.

8.91
--------------------

10. Measure the output frequency and record.

100Hz
--------------------

11. Paste picture of the output voltage observed by the oscilloscope in the following chart.
12. Now, connect the capacitor filter across the load resistor as in Figure 9 b).
13. Paste picture of the output voltage observed by the oscilloscope in the following chart.

Interpretation and Analysis

Is there any frequency difference between half- and full-wave rectifier? If yes, then
why?
 ANSWER: Yes, there is a frequency difference between half-wave and full-wave
rectifiers. A half-wave rectifier outputs a frequency equal to the input AC
frequency because it only rectifies one half of each cycle. In contrast, a full-
wave rectifier outputs double the input frequency, as it rectifies both halves of
the AC cycle, resulting in twice as many pulses per cycle in the output.

Is there any difference between magnitude of DC output voltage of half- and full-wave
rectifier? If yes, then why?
ANSWER: Yes, there is a difference in the magnitude of the DC output voltage
between half-wave and full-wave rectifiers. A full-wave rectifier produces a
higher DC output voltage because it rectifies both halves of the AC cycle,
effectively doubling the number of pulses and delivering more consistent power
to the load. In contrast, a half-wave rectifier only rectifies one half of each
cycle, resulting in lower average DC output voltage and less efficiency.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a full-wave rectifier provides a higher DC output voltage than a
half-wave rectifier, as it utilizes both halves of the AC cycle. This results in a
more consistent and efficient power output compared to the half-wave rectifier,
which only rectifies one half of each cycle.