CONTENTS: THEORY

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM CONSTRUCTION FULL WAVE BRIDGE RECTIFIER WORKING OF BRIDGE RECTIFIER] GRAPH RECTIFIER OUTPUT SMOOTHING

THEORY: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. 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 flame. The simple process of rectification produces a type of DC characterized by pulsating voltages and currents(although still unidirectional). Depending upon the type of end-use, this type of DC current may Then be further modified into the type of relatively constant voltage DC characteristically produced by such sources as batteries and solar cells. A diode bridge is an arrangement of four (or more) diodes in a bridge circuit configuration that provides the same polarity of output for either polarity of input. When used in its most common application, for conversion of an alternating current (AC) input into a direct current (DC)output, it is known as a bridge rectifier..

Circuit Diagram

Construction:The diodes labeled D1to D 2 Are arranged in "series pairs" with only two diodes conducting current during each half cycle. During the positive half cycle of the supply, diodes D1 and D4 conduct in series while diodes D2 and D3 are reverse biased and the current flows through the load as shown.

Full Wave Bridge Rectifier

Bridge rectifier:
A full-wave rectifier using 4diodes for singlephase AC, if the transformer is center-tapped, then two diodes back-to-back (cathode-to-cathode or anode-to-anode, depending upon output polarity required) can form a full-wave rectifier. Twice as many turns are required on the transformer secondary to obtain the same output voltage than for a bridge rectifier, but the power rating is unchanged.

Working of Bridge Rectifier

During the positive input half cycle terminal M of the secondary is positive and N is negative. Diode D1 and D3becomes forward bias where as D2 and D4 are reversed bias. Hence the current flows along point M, E, A, B, C, F and N producing a drop across RL. During the negative input half cycle secondary terminal N becomes positive and M is negative. Now D2 and D4 are forward bias and D1 and D3 are reversed bias. Now the current flows along points N, E, A, B, C, F and M. Hence w e f i n d t h a t current keeps flowing through l o a d resistance RL in the same direction (A, B). During both h a l f c y c l e s o f t h e AC input the point A of the bridge rectifier always acts as an anode and point C as cathode. It frequency is twice that of supply frequency.

GRAPH

Bridge Rectifier, RC Filter:A bridge rectifier makes use of four diodes in a bridge arrangement to achieve full-wave rectification. This is a widely used configuration, both with individual diodes wired as shown and with single component bridges where the diode bridge is wired internally