Chapter 1: Diodes and

Applications
Module – 2 :
Applications of Diodes

Reference:
Robert L. Boylestad, Louis Nashelsky, Electronic Devices & Circuits
Theory, 11th Edition, PHI, 2012

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At the end of this module, students will be able to:

➢Explain need for AC to DC conversion

➢Discuss basic DC power supply unit.

➢Discuss and analyze the working of a various rectifier circuits.

➢Explain how capacitor filter can be used to minimize the ac component.

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 Rectifiers
Circuit that converts AC to DC

Half wave rectifier

Full wave rectifier →
Centre tapped full wave rectifier
Full wave bridge rectifier
Rectifiers with capacitor filter

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What is an AC and an DC signal?
Example of AC signal Vin (t ) = A sin ( 2ft )
Vin (t ) = 230 2 sin ( 2 50t )

Define
Average value
RMS or effective value
AC signal with A=230V, f=50Hz

Note: The average or DC value of this signal is equal to zero.

Electricity distribution in INDIA: AC signal of 230V, 50HZ.

Necessity of DC power: Many electronic
Department gadgets
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Block diagram of a DC power supply

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 Half wave rectifier

𝑉𝑖 = 𝑉𝑚 sin (ωt) is the instantaneous voltage at the input of the rectifier

𝑉𝑚 is the peak value of the input voltage
Diode conducts only during positive half cycle of the input

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 Working of HWR

Equivalent Circuit of HWR, when node A is positive w.r.t node B

Equivalent Circuit of HWR, when node A is negative w.r.t node B

Note: Current through load exist only for one half cycle
8
 HWR Waveforms

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 Performance parameters of HWR

Assume ideal diode :

𝑉ϒ = 0 ; R F =0
During positive half cycle, I = Im sin (ωt)
Where Im is the peak value of the input current

𝑉𝑚 −𝑉ϒ 𝑉𝑚
Im = ≃
RL +RF RL

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Average/DC value of load current (𝐈𝐝𝐜 )

1 2π
Idc = ‫׬‬0 IL d(ωt)
2π

1 π
= ‫׬‬0
Im sin (ωt)d(ωt)
2π

−Im π
= cos(ωt) 0
2π

Im
Idc =
π

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Average/DC voltage across the load (𝐕𝐝𝐜 )

Vdc = Idc * R L

Im
= * RL
π

Vm
= * RL
RL ∗π

Vm
Vdc =
π

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RMS value of load current (𝐈𝐫𝐦𝐬 )

1 2π 2
Irms = ‫ ׬‬I d(ωt)
2π 0
in general

2 1 π 2 2 (ωt)
Irms = ‫׬‬ I sin d(ωt)
2π 0 m

Im 2 π 1−cos(2ωt) Im 2
= ‫׬‬ d(ωt) =
2π 0 2 4

Im
Irms =
2
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RMS value of the load voltage (𝐕𝐫𝐦𝐬 )

Vrms = Irms * R L

Im
= * RL
2

Vm
= * RL
RL ∗2

Vm
Vrms =
2

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Ripple factor (ϒ)
RMS value of the AC component of the load current/voltage Ir rms
ϒ= =
DC component of the load current/voltage Idc

Note: Irms 2 = Ir rms 2 + Idc 2

Irms 2 −Idc 2 Irms

2
ϒ= = −1
Idc Idc

Im 2
2
ϒ= Im −1 = 1.21 independent of load current and input voltage
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Efficiency (η)
DC power delivered to the load
η=
AC power supplied by 20 of transformer

2 𝐼𝑚 2
𝑃𝑑𝑐 =𝐼𝑑𝑐 ∗ 𝑅𝐿 = * 𝑅𝐿
π2
2 𝐼𝑚 2
𝑃𝑎𝑐 = 𝐼𝑎𝑐 ∗ (𝑅𝐿 +𝑅𝐹 )= *(𝑅𝐿 +𝑅𝐹 )
4

4
π2 0.406
η= 𝑅 = 𝑅
1+ 𝐹 1+ 𝐹
𝑅𝐿 𝑅𝐿

If diode is ideal, η= 40.6%

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Peak Inverse Voltage(PIV)

Maximum reverse voltage beyond which the diode breaks down.

Choose a diode with PIV> Vm

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 Numerical Problems
Q1. A voltage v = 100 Sin ωt and frequency 50 Hz is applied to half wave rectifier.
If the load resistance is 2KΩ , calculate:
a) Peak value of load current
b) Average load current
c) Rms or effective load current
d) Average output voltage, Rms output voltage
e) AC input power, DC output power
f) Efficiency
g) Ripple factor

Ans: Vm=100V, (a) 50mA, (b)15.9mA, (c) 25mA (d) 31.8V , 50V (e) 1.25W,
0.50562W (f) 0.404 (g) 1.21

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Q2. An AC input of 230V,50Hz is applied to a transformer having turns
ratio 10:1. Secondary of the transformer is connected to a HWR. Find
all the performance parameters of the rectifier. R L = 1kΩ

RMS voltage at the primary of transformer= 230V

Turns ratio= 10:1
RMS voltage at the secondary of transformer= 23V

Input to the rectifier Vi =32.52sin (ωt)

∴ Vm = 32.52V

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 Vm
Im = = 32.52mA
RL
Im
Average/DC value of load current Idc = = 10.35mA
π
Vm
Average/DC voltage across the load Vdc = = 10.35V
π
Im
RMS value of load current Irms = = 16.25mA
2
Vm
RMS value of the load voltage Vrms = = 16.25V
2
Im 2
2
Ripple factor ϒ = Im −1 = 1.21
π

Efficiency η= 40.6%
PIV > Vm : PIV >32.52V
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Q3. A sinusoidal voltage of peak value 10V is applied to a HWR. If the
load resistance is 800Ω, calculate all the performance parameters of
the rectifier.

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Full Wave Rectifier with centre tapped transformer

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 Working of Full Wave Rectifier

Center tapped FWR for node Center tapped FWR for node
A is positive w.r.t B B is positive w.r.t A

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Note: Current through load during both cycles is in same direction
(from node C to ground)

The frequency of the output signal =Twice the input frequency

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 FWR Waveforms

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 Performance parameters of FWR

Assume ideal diode :

𝑉ϒ = 0 ; R F =0
During positive half cycle, I = Im sin (ωt)
Where Im is the peak value of the input current

𝑉𝑚 −𝑉ϒ 𝑉𝑚
Im = =
RL +RF RL

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Average/DC value of load current (𝐈𝐝𝐜 )

1 π
Idc = ‫׬‬0 I d(ωt)
π

1 π
= ‫׬‬0
Im sin (ωt)d(ωt)
π

Im π
= −cos(ωt) 0
π

2Im
Idc =
π

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Average/DC voltage across the load (𝐕𝐝𝐜 )

Vdc = Idc * R L

2Im
= * RL
π

2Vm
= * RL
RL ∗π

2Vm
Vdc =
π

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RMS value of load current (𝐈𝐫𝐦𝐬 )

1 π 2
Irms = ‫ ׬‬I d(ωt)
π 0

2 1 π 2 2 (ωt)
Irms = ‫׬‬ I sin d(ωt)
π 0 m

Im 2 π Im 2
= ‫׬‬ 1 − cos(2ωt) d(ωt) =
2π 0 2

Im
Irms =
2
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RMS value of the load voltage (𝐕𝐫𝐦𝐬 )

Vrms = Irms * R L

Im
= * RL
2

Vm
= * RL
RL ∗ 2

Vm
Vrms =
2

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Ripple factor (ϒ)
RMS value of the AC component of the load current/voltage Ir rms
ϒ= =
DC component of the load current/voltage Idc

Note: Irms 2 = Ir rms 2 + Idc 2

Irms 2 −Idc 2 Irms

2
ϒ= = −1
Idc Idc

Im 2
2
ϒ= 2 Im −1 = 0.483 independent of load current and input
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π
Efficiency (η)
DC power delivered to the load
η=
AC power supplied by 20 of transformer

2 4 𝐼𝑚 2
𝑃𝑑𝑐 =𝐼𝑑𝑐 ∗ 𝑅𝐿 = * 𝑅𝐿
π2
2 𝐼𝑚 2
𝑃𝑎𝑐 = 𝐼𝑎𝑐 ∗ (𝑅𝐿 +𝑅𝐹 )= *(𝑅𝐿 +𝑅𝐹 )
2

8
π2 0.81
η= 𝑅 = 𝑅
1+ 𝐹 1+ 𝐹
𝑅𝐿 𝑅𝐿

If diode is ideal, η= 81%

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Peak Inverse Voltage(PIV)

Maximum reverse voltage beyond which the diode breaks down.

Choose a diode with PIV> 2Vm

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Q4. A sinusoidal voltage of Vi = 20 sin (2π*50*t) is applied to a FWR. If
R L = 1kΩ, calculate all the performance parameters.

Input to the rectifier Vi = 20 sin (2π*50*t)

∴ Vm = 20V

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 Vm
Im = = 20mA
RL
2∗Im
Average/DC value of load current Idc = = 12.73mA
π
2∗Vm
Average/DC voltage across the load Vdc = = 12.73V
π
Im
RMS value of load current Irms = = 14.142mA
2
Vm
RMS value of the load voltage Vrms = = 14.142V
2

Im 2
2
Ripple factor ϒ = 2∗Im −1 = 0.483
π

Efficiency η= 80.12%
PIV > 2 ∗ Vm : PIV >40V
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Q4. A center-tapped FWR is supplied with 230V, 50 Hz AC mains through a step down transformer
with turns ratio equal to 10. If R L= 1kΩ, find the average and RMS value of the load current, PIV
rating of the diode used for proper working.

• Ans: Vm=16.26V, Im=16.26mA, Iav=10.35mA, Irms =11.49mA, PIV>32.52V

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Q5. A sinusoidal voltage with 20-0-20 V applied to secondary of the transformer used for full wave
rectification. If the load resistance is 1000Ω, calculate :
(a) Peak value of load current
(b) Average load current
(c) Rms load current
(d) Average output voltage
(e) Rms output voltage
(f) Efficiency
(g) Ripple factor

• Ans: Vm=28.28V, Im=27.4mA, Idc=17.44mA, Irms=19.3mA, Vrms=19.37V, Vdc=17.44V, Eff=80%, Ripple

factor=0.483
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Bridge Rectifier

Fig.17(a) : Bridge FWR

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 Working of Bridge FWR

Fig. 18: Bridge FWR when Fig. 19: Bridge FWR when node
node A is positive w.r.t B B is positive w.r.t. A
Note: Current through load for both cycles is in same direction
(from node C to ground)

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 Bridge FWR

Simulation of FWR

Fig. 20 : Input and output waveforms of bridge rectifier

Note: The frequency of the output signal =2 times the input frequency
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 Bridge FWR

▪ PIV : Vm , where Vm peak of secondary voltage

(between node A and node B).

▪ Other parameters same as Center tapped FWR:

▪ Ripple factor is:  = 0.483

▪ Efficiency:  = 81.2%

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 Numerical Problems
1. Primary voltage is 120V, 60Hz. Turns ratio is 5:1. This transformer supplies to bridge rectifier
employing 4 identical ideal diodes. The load resistance is 1kΩ. Calculate average and rms load
voltage, efficiency, ripple factor, PIV rating and frequency of output waveform.

Ans: Vm=33.9V, Im=33.9mA, PIV>33.9V Vdc=21.58V, Vrms= 24V

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 Comparison of Rectifiers

• Advantages of HWR over FWR

• Advantages of Center tapped FWR rectifier over HWR

• Advantages of bridge rectifier over to centre-tap FWR

• Disadvantages of HWR over FWR

• Disadvantages of centre-tap FWR over Bridge

• Disadvantages of bridge rectifier over other rectifiers

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 Comparison of Rectifiers
Parameters of HWR Center-tapped Bridge FWR
rectified signal FWR

Vdc Vm 2Vm 2Vm

  
Vm Vm Vm
VRMS
2 2 2
PIV
Vm 2Vm Vm
Ripple factor 1.21 0.483 0.483
Efficiency 40.6% 81.2% 81.2%
Frequency fo fi 2 fi 2 fi
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 Capacitor Filter
• Commonly referred as C type filter

• Key component of filter is the energy storing elements.

Example: Capacitor

• Capacitor allows AC component and blocks DC component

• Capacitor helps to hold the output voltage to its maximum or

peak value.

• It can be used with HWR as well as with FWR

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 Capacitor Filter

Fig 21: C type filter with HWR

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 Capacitor Filter

Fig 22: C type filter with Bridge FWR

Simulation of HWR/FWR with C filter: with varying R and C
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 Capacitor Filter

Fig. 23 Filtered output waveform using C type filter

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 Ripple factor with Capacitor Filter
1
• For HWR r=
2 3 fCRL

1
• For FWR r=
4 3 fCRL

50
 Ripple factor with Capacitor Filter
• DC value of filtered output for HWR
2 f CR L
Vdc = Vm
1 + 2 f CR L

• DC value of filtered output for FWR

4 f CRL
Vdc = Vm
1 + 4 f CRL

Note: here f is the frequency of the input signal

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 Comparison of Rectifiers
Parameters of HWR FWR
rectified signal

2 f CRL 4 f CRL
Vdc Vm Vm
1 + 2 f CRL
1 + 4 f CRL

Ripple factor 1
1 r=
r= 4 3 fCRL
2 3 fCRL

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 Summary
At the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Discuss block diagram of a basic DC power supply unit.

• Explain and analyze the working of various rectifier circuits.
• Evaluate Output DC value, ripple factor, efficiency and PIV, of
different rectifier circuits.
• Explain the working of rectifier circuits with capacitor filter
2. A half wave rectifier with capacitor filter is supplied from transformer having peak secondary voltage
20V and freq 50Hz. The load resistance is 560Ω and capacitor used is 1000μF. Calculate ripple factor
and dc output voltage. Draw the filtered output and label peak and dc value.

(Ans:0.0103, 19.65V)
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3. A full wave rectifier with capacitor filter has to supply an average voltage of 30V to 900Ω load.
Calculate the rms input voltage and value of capacitor such that the ripple factor does not exceed 0.05,
assuming f = 50Hz.

Ans: C>64.15microF, Vm=32.59V, Vrms=23V

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 4. (a) A half wave rectifier is fed from a transformer having turns ratio 6:1.The primary voltage is 110V at
60Hz. It is decided to have ripple factor of 0.03 and dc load current of 500mA. Find the value of capacitor
needed. (b) Repeat for full wave bridge rectifier

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5. A load is to be supplied 10mA current at 5V dc, with ripple not more than 0.2%. Calculate the value of
capacitor needed for the full wave bridge rectifier. Also, if the primary voltage of transformer is 220V at
50Hz, calculate the turns ratio needed.

(Ans: 2.89mF, 62)

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