EXPERIMENT: 3. Rectifier circuits (Half wave, full wave, Bridge rectifiers with filters).

AIM: To design and simulate the input and output characters of a half wave, Full wave
and Bridge rectifiers with and without filters.

APPARATUS REQUIRED: PC loaded with MULTISIM software.

Learning Objectives

After completing this lab, you will be able to complete the following activities.

1. Discuss the operation and application of rectifiers.

2. Identify the pathway of current through a rectifier and describe how diodes
control this current flow.
3. Implement a full-wave rectifier with filtering to convert an AC signal to DC.

2.1 Theory and Background

Diodes in a Rectifier

A rectifier is an electrical device that converts AC to DC. A half-wave rectifier only

allows one half of a sine wave to pass through. The primary application of a rectifier
is to obtain DC power from an AC source. The electricity coming from the wall is AC,
but many electronic devices require DC. Therefore, these devices typically have their
own power supply which uses a rectifier to convert from AC to DC.

Diodes are used in a half-wave rectifier to block current from flowing in the negative
direction. Rectifiers are often used in power supplies and other applications where
the phase of a signal needs to be filtered.

Half Wave Rectifier

C Filter
Half Wave Rectifier with
 Full Wave Bridge Rectifier

Ripple factor: Ripple factor is a measure of effectiveness of a rectifier circuit. It is defined as

the ratio of RMS value of the AC component (ripple component) Irrms in the output waveform
to the DC component VDC in the output waveform.

Irrms
r I
DC
Halfwave Rectifier:

The ripple factor can be significantly reduced using a filter capacitor. For a half wave rectifier
with filter capacitor, ripple factor is given by,

R = 1/(2√3fRLC)

Where f is the frequency of pulsating DC which in this case is same as that of AC mains. The
value of ripple factor can also be estimated from the waveform of the output voltage.
r = (Vrpp / 2√3) / (Vp-0.5Vrpp)

Where Vp is the peak value of the output voltage and Vrpp is peak to peak
value of the ripple voltage.

Filtered Output Voltage for C1< C2

Vp
Vrpp
Voltage

Filtered Output Voltage for C2

Time
The ripple factor of full wave rectifier
r = 0.483 (4)

This is a significant improvement in the ripple factor compared to that of a Half wave rectifier
(r=1.21). However, this pulsating DC is not useful to power electronic circuits as it still has a
large AC component. The output can be made smooth by using capacitor filter

The ripple factor for full wave rectifier with capacitor filter is given by.

1
r
4
3
f
where f is the frequency of the signal Vs
R
L
C

Simulation Circuit:
Output Graph:

SIMULATION PROCEDUTE:

 Open MULTISIM Software.

 Click=> New => Design1
 Click save as in Desk Top rename the Design1 to your circuit name.
 Go to Component tool bar and select the components.
 Draw the above circuits using the components that are available in the tool
bar and then save the circuit.
 Double click AC_POWER set its value above mentioned.
 Click simulate button or press F5 key => RUN
 Then double click connected in the output of the Oscilloscope and
measure input and output waveforms.
 Then Change capacitor value and measure ripple voltage

Results:
The Half wave, Full wave and bridge rectifier circuits are designed, simulated and verified
through the output wave forms.
Check Your Understanding

Note: The following questions are meant to help you self-assess your understanding
so far. You can view the answer key for all “Check your Understanding” questions at
the end of the lab.

3-1 What is the main purpose of a rectifier?

A. To convert DC power to AC power.

B. To convert AC power to DC power.
C. To deliver DC power only.
D. To deliver AC power only.

3-2 What is the role of a diode in a half-wave rectifier?

1. A diode in a half-wave rectifier allows for only half of an AC waveform to pass

through.
2. A diode in a half-wave rectifier allows for only half of a DC waveform to pass
through.
3. A diode in a half-wave rectifier allows for a full AC waveform to pass through.
4. A diode in a half-wave rectifier blocks both halves of an AC waveform from
passing through.

3-3 Complete the following table based on your ripple voltage measurements:

Table 1-5

1 kΩ resistor 10 μF 47 μF 470 μF

Ripple Voltage

3-4 How did the voltage change with an increase in the capacitance?

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