Middle Technical University Electronics Lab.

Electrical Engineering Technical College 2nd Stage

Electrical Power Technical Engineering Dept. Mohammed D. Altamemi

Experement-3
Full wave Rectifier

3-1 Object:

To know some of diode applications as a rectifier in AC to DC converter. And

to study the characteristics of the full wave rectifier (FWR).

3-2 Theory:

In half wave rectifier we will use the bridge rectifier, which is the most
acceptable way for rectification because it provides all the peak voltage from a half
wave rectifier and, the highest average value of a full wave rectifier. Figure (3-1)
shows a bridge rectifier. During the positive half of the voltage cycle (VA>VB) diodes
D1 and D4 are polarized directly, therefore, the voltage in the load has the following
polarity: less in the lower part and more in the superior one. During the negative half
of the cycle, diode D2 and D3 are polarized directly; similarly, the voltage in the load
has the polarity previously indicated. In any of the two cycle halves, the voltage in the
load has the same polarity because the current charge in the same direction, and it
does not matter which diode is in conduction. This is the reason why the voltage in
the load is the half wave rectifier signal indicated in figure (3-2).

Figure (3-1) the full wave rectifier

Figure (3-2) load Voltage waveform

For this case, notice that all the source voltage is shown through the load
resistor. This is one of the reason why we use this assembly and not the previous one
of half wave.
Middle Technical University Electronics Lab.
Electrical Engineering Technical College 2nd Stage
Electrical Power Technical Engineering Dept. Mohammed D. Altamemi

As we can deduced, the average value of the rectifier voltage is the double than
before:

As the output is a full wave signal, the output frequency is the double than the
input frequency. The bridge rectifiers are so popular that the manufacturers make
them with a module shape. For example, the type MDA920-3 is a bridge module
available in the market, consisting of four diodes, which are hermetically sealed,
interconnected and packed in plastic constituting just one package. It has two input
terminals for the AC voltage and two output terminals to connect the load.

3-3 Procedures:

The circuit is shown in figure (3-3) is a full wave rectifier circuit through a
bridge of diodes whose operation will be seen below.

Figure (3-3) CIRCUIT 3 of the full wave rectifier

1. Connect the circuit shown in figure (3-3) by using Multisim software.

2. Set the input AC source to VRMS = 77.78 V, and use a 10 KΩ as a load resistor.
3. With oscilloscope, find the maximum input voltage Vim, frequency, and draw its
waveform.
4. With oscilloscope, find the maximum output voltage Vom, frequency and draw its
waveform.
5. Find the output voltage average Vav and the root mean square of output voltage
VRMS.
6. draw the waveform of output current and find maximum output current Im, and
frequency.
Middle Technical University Electronics Lab.
Electrical Engineering Technical College 2nd Stage
Electrical Power Technical Engineering Dept. Mohammed D. Altamemi

7. With oscilloscope, find the maximum voltage on diode D1 Vdm, frequency and
draw its waveform.

3-4 Discussion:

1. Find the average output current, and its root mean square RMS of output current.
2. Find the input power Pac and output power Pdc.
3. Find the efficiency of full wave rectifier.
4. If D1 is damage, try to sketch the output voltage waveform at this condition.
5. The PIV of full wave rectifier is equal to ----------------.
A. 220V
B. Vm.
C.2Vm
D. 0.5 Vm.
6. Which is the rectified voltage frequency value in step 4 of procedure?
A. The double than the input.
B. Half of the input.
C. The same as the input.
D. It is impossible to know.