CEBU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Cebu City
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Electronics Engineering Department

ECE 301
ELECTRONICS 1
( Electronic Devices and Circuits)

EXPERIMENT NO. 3
RECTIFIERS

JOHN ANTHONY AMABA BSME-Mech-1

NAME COURSE & YEAR

05/03/22
GROUP DATE

A. HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION:

I. OBJECTIVE:
• To be able to use semiconductor diodes in half-wave rectifier circuit using a typical half-
wave rectifier and to verify the results with an oscilloscope and a multimeter.

• To be able to utilize a diode operating curve to test a diode by using a typical diode circuit
and verify the results with a multimeter.

II. APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

• F.A.C.E.T. Base Unit

• SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES Circuit Board
• Multimeter
• Oscilloscope, dual trace
• Generator, sine wave

MEASUREMENT TOLERANCES
Nominal values have been determined for all measurements in this unit. Measured
values will differ from nominal due to normal circuit and instrument variations. Your
measurements in the following exercises will be acceptable if your power voltages and
circuit measurements lie within the following ranges from nominal unless otherwise
noted in a procedure step:
External power source settings: +15 Vdc = ±3 percent
-15 Vdc = ±3 percent

POSITIVE SUPPLY and NEGATIVE SUPPLY settings: Stated value ± 0.2 Vdc
Multimeter voltage and current measurements: ± 8 percent
Multimeter resistance measurements: : ± 20 percent
Frequency/Phase shift/Amplitude (as measured by the oscilloscope): ± 8 percent

III. THEORY:

INTRODUCTION/ HALF WAVE RECTIFIERS

The simplest method for converting an alternating current into a pulsating direct current
is through half-wave rectification. A half-wave rectifier circuit requires only a diode and a load
resistance, as shown in Figure 2-9(a).
A half-wave rectifier can produce either a positive or a negative pulsating dc output, depending
on how the diode is connected in the circuit. Figure 2-9(a) shows positive half-wave rectification
with respect to circuit common, and Figure 2-9(b) shows a negative half-wave rectification
circuit.
 Figure 2 9. Basic half wave rectifier circuit
In Figure 2-10 (a), the anode of the diode (point A of the drawing) is positive with respect
to the cathode during positive alternations of the ac input waveform, so current flows. The
current flow through CR1 results in a voltage drop across the series-connected load resistor,
R1. This conduction period is indicated by the shaded portions of the V 1N and VOUT waveforms
of Figure 2-10(a). During negative alternations, no current flows because the anode is negative
with respect to the cathode.
If the diode is reversed, as shown in Figure 2-10(b), the diode conducts during negative
alternations of the ac input. The resulting output is negative with respect to common, as shown
by the shaded areas of the waveforms in Figure 2-10(b).
The output from either circuit is no longer an ac voltage, but rather a pulsating de
voltage. The process whereby the diode conducts during one alternation of the input cycle and
blocks current flow during the other is called rectification. For half-wave rectifiers, the diode will
conduct for about one-ha If of every complete ac cycle. This conduction occurs during either the
positive or negative alternation, depending on the direction in which the diode is connected into
the circuit.
An ideal diode would have no forward voltage drop or reverse leakage current. Practical
diodes have leakage currents that are small enough to be ignored. However, when a diode is
fully conducting, electrons are present in the P type material and positive charges are present in
the N type material. When the voltage across the diode switches suddenly from the forward to
the reverse bias direction, these charges must be swept from the diode before conduction
stops. Just as a check valve will allow a small slug of fluid to move in the reverse direction
before the check ball seals, a pulse of current flows in the reverse direction through a diode until
the stored charges are removed from the semiconductor. The time required to remove these
stored charges is called reverse recovery time (t RR).

Figure 2-10. Half-wave rectifier input! output

The amount of stored charge depends on the size of the diode, the doping material and
doping level, and several other factors. Reverse recovery time limits the operation of general
purpose rectifier diodes to relatively low frequencies (less than 1 kHz) because the pulses of
current allowed in the reverse direction become significant at higher frequencies. Some diodes
are designed to limit the effect of stored charges; these diodes are called high speed or fast
recovery diodes.

Forward voltage drop (VF) is another diode characteristic that can cause significant losses,
especially if applied voltages are small. During l1e forward biasing alternation of the input signal,
no current flows until the input voltage exceeds VF. When that point is overcome, the diode
starts to conduct, and voltage appears across the load resistor. You can estimate the peak
output circuit voltage (Vopeak) by simply subtracting the diode forward voltage drop (about 0.
7V for silicon diodes) from the peak input voltage (ViPeak).
For example, Vipeak is equal to 2.0V in Figure 2-11. The rectified circuit output voltage is
calculated as follows:

Figure 2 11 . Voltage levels of a half wave rectifier

Figure 2-11 illustrates this relationship between input and output peak waveforms for
a positive half-wave rectifier. Notice that the output waveform contains a positive pulsation
that is only a portion of the positive alternation of the input waveform. During the negative
alternation of the input signal, no current flows because the diode is reverse biased. Also
notice that the starting point of the VOUT pulsation begins when the input voltage reaches
0.7V, the point at which the diode barrier voltage is overcome.

The VOUT waveform of Figure 2-11. shows that the output pulsation is less than the
input alternation by 0.7 volts at every point. When you use an oscilloscope to measure the
input and output voltages of a half-wave rectifier, you can observe and compare both signals
together. You may measure the 0.7 Vdc forward voltage drop of the diode by dc coupling
both channels.
Oscilloscope readings are peak-to-peak for ac (input) waveforms and peak for
rectified (output) waveforms. By using the conversion factors which follow, you can convert
the values measured on the oscilloscope to approximate rms or average values. These
conversion factors apply only to half-wave rectifiers and only when the rectifiers are supplied
with ac sine wave inputs. Note that the diode forward voltage drop is accounted for when you
view the peak output voltage on the oscilloscope.
Half-wave rectifier voltage conversion factors:
rms output voltage = 0.5 x peak output voltage
average output voltage = 0.318 x peak output voltage

Figure 2-12 illustrates the relationship between peak, rms, and average values as they apply to
a half-wave rectifier circuit.

Figure 2 12. Half wave rectifier voltage

 In Figure 2-12, a voltage is developed across load resistor RL. As a result, current must
flow through the load. When the voltage and load resistance are known, you can calculate the
approximate current through the load by using the following formula and conversion factors.

Half-wave rectifier current relationships:

The variations in the pulsating dc output of a rectifier are referred to as ripple. The
higher the ripple frequency, the more effective the circuit. The frequency of an ac waveform is
defined by the number of complete cycles in one. second. An alternating current of 60 Hz has
60 positive and 60 negative alternations in one second. In a half-wave rectifier, the ripple
frequency. is the same as the input voltage frequency because only the negative or /he positive
(depending on how the diode is connected in the rectifier circuit) alternations are allowed to
pass. Figure 2-13 shows the ripple frequency for ac frequencies of 50 and 60 Hz.

Figure 2 13. Half wave rectifier ripple frequency

IV. PROCEDURE:

1. Adjust the dc power sources to+15 Vdc and -15 Vdc. Turn
the power Sources off. Insert the SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
circuit board into the base unit. Turn on the power sources.

2. Locate the DIODES AND 1/2 WAVE RECTIFICATION circuit block, and connect the
circuit shown in Figure 2-14.

Figure 2-14. Half-wave rectifier circuit.

3. Connect the sine wave generator signal leads to the 50-ohm output of the generator. If
your generator output impedance is not 50 ohms, insert the GENERATOR BUFFER into
the SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES circuit board. and connect the buffer between your
generator and the circuit. If you use the buffer circuit. connect the buffer output terminals
to the generator terminals on the DIODES AND 1/2 WAVE RECTIFICATION circuit
block. Set the generator frequency controls to 1000 Hz and the output level to zero.

4. Connect X10 probes to both channels of the oscilloscope. Set the input controls for both
channels to ground, and adjust the vertical centering controls for both channels to align
both traces exactly on the center horizontal line of the scope graticule. Now switch the
input controls for both channels to dc coupling, and set the calibrated oscilloscope
controls of channels 1 and 2 for 50 mV/cm sensitivity. Set the horizontal sweep controls
for a sweep rate of 0.1ms/cm. Trigger the sweep on channel 1, and adjust for positive
sync level.
5. Connect oscilloscope channel to observe the ac input to the circuit. Adjust the output
level of the sine wave generator for 2 V pk_pk.
6. Set the multimeter to read ac voltage. Connect the multimeter temporarily to the circuit
input and record the voltage reading.

0.697

7. Calculate the rms and average voltage values at the circuit input. Note that peak input
voltage is one-half of the peak-to-peak value.

Rms= 1/√2= 0.707 V

Average voltage= 2*1/π= 0.637 V

8. Do the values in steps 6 and 7 agree?

Yes
9. Connect oscilloscope channel2 across load resistor R2 and observe the CR2 output
waveform. What is the amplitude of the positive pulsations?

About 0.6 V or 0.55 V.

10. Observe the input and output signals on channels 1 and 2, respectively, by using the
oscilloscope CHOP method. Is the ripple frequency the same as the input frequency?
What is the ripple frequency?

Yes, the ripple frequency is the same as the input frequency.

The ripple frequency is 1kHz.
11. Measure and record the peak voltage displayed on each oscilloscope channel. What is
the difference in voltage, and what causes the difference?

The peak value of the input is 1V, while the output peak value is only 0.55V.
Therefore, the difference is about 0.45V. The voltage drop across the diode
causes the difference in voltage.

12. Set the oscilloscope time base for 50 µs/cm. Set both input channel selector switches to
the GND position. Adjust the vertical position controls for both channels so that both
traces lie along the center horizontal grid line of the oscilloscope graticule. Set the
volts/division control for channel 2 to 20 mV /cm, and set both input channel selector
switches to the dc coupling position.

13. Observe both traces in the CHOP sweep mode, and compare the display with Figure 2-
15. Adjust the oscilloscope controls to match the figure, if necessary.

Figure 2-15. Comparison of oscilloscope waveforms to reference.

14. What happens (regarding conduction) at point A on the illustration and the oscilloscope
display?

Before point A up to point A, the diode is not conducting yet. Then beyond
point A, this is the time that the diode will start conducting.

15. What happens (in regard to conduction) at point B?

At point B and beyond, the diode is not conducting since at this point the
diode will go off. But between point A and point B, the diode is
conducting.

16. Is the voltage before point A and after point B sufficient to overcome the diode barrier
voltage?

No, the voltage before point A and after point B is not sufficient to overcome the
diode barrier voltage since at these points the diode is not conducting.

17. What is subtracted from the input peak amplitude to make the peak amplitudes of the
input and output waveforms unequal?

The forward voltage drop across the diode is subtracted from the input
peak amplitude to make the peak amplitudes of the input and output
waveforms unequal.
18. Adjust the oscilloscope time base to 0.2 ms/cm. Set channel 1 for 50 mV/cm and
channel 2 for 20 mV/cm. Adjust the oscilloscope, if necessary, until the displayed
waveform duplicates Figure 2-16.

Figure 2-16. Oscilloscope waveform adjustment

19. From the appearance of the oscilloscope waveforms, is this a positive or a negative
half-wave rectifier circuit?

This is a positive half-wave rectifier circuit.

20. Connect the oscilloscope channel 2 input to the top of R 1. Why is this circuit a negative
half-wave rectifier?

It is because the positive half-wave rectifier circuit is clicked off and also
the output is in the negative part of the input.
21. Do the same input/output relationships apply to both the positive and the negative half-
wave rectifiers?

Yes.
22. Is CR1 conducting or is it cut off during the negative portions of the output waveform?

Yes, CR1 is conducting.

23. Place CM switch 7 in the ON position. What now appears at the output?

The wave form is about equal or the same with input signal because the
diode in the said circuit is shorted.

24. CM switch 7 connects a 1K resistor across CR1, allowing current to flow during positive
peaks of the input waveform. From your observations, can you conclude that the normal
reverse resistance of CRl is much higher than lK?

Yes.

25. Does CM switch 7 cause CRl to simulate a good diode with sufficient reverse resistance
or does it cause CRl to simulate a defective diode with insufficient reverse resistance?

Since the diode is short circuited and the diode will not rectify then it will
simulate a defective diode with insufficient reverse resistance.

26. Turn off CM switch 7. Adjust the sine wave generator for a 4 Vpk-pk input signal on
oscilloscope channel. Measure and record the dc output voltage across Rl (use the dc
volts function of your multimeter).

The output voltage across R1 is -0.433 V.

27. Calculate and record the expected average output voltage based on a 2 Vpk output.
Use this formula for a half-wave rectifier: Average dc output = 0.318 x peak output
voltage

The expected average dc output is 0.636 V.

28. Why does the multi meter display a lower reading in step 26 than the value calculated in
step 27?
Because the reading in step 26 is based on the diode 1 which is forward
biased and also the peak output in step 26 is 4 Vpk-pk while in the step 27,
the peak output voltage is 2 Vpk-pk.

29. Disconnect the multi meter,and increase the frequency of the generator to 10kHz. Set
the input selector switches for both channels to the GND position. Adjust the vertical
position controls to I align the channel 1 trace along the second grid tine from the top of
the screen, as well as to align the channel 2 trace along the second. grid line from the
bottom. Set both channels to 0.2 V/cm, and set both input selector switches to dc
coupling.

30. Connect channel 2 of the oscilloscope to the top of R1. Set the sweep speed of the
oscilloscope to 0.1 ms/cm. What causes the positive peaks that are visible on the
channel 2 trace?

The reverse recovery time of the diode of CR1 causes the positive peaks
that are visible on the channel 2 trace.

31. Increase the sine wave generator frequency to 100 kHz and the oscilloscope sweep
speed to 10 us/cm. Can the channel 2 waveform be called pulsating dc?
No, because as shown in the oscilloscope, the recovery time is long
enough that is why the output is not exactly rectified waveform.
32. Turn off all power sources and the generator. Remove all circuit board connections.
V. EVALUATION:
1. Refer to Figure 2-17. The signal observed at the output of this circuit with respect to
circuit common would be
a. positive pulsations.
b. negative pulsations.
c. alternating current.
d. None of the above.
CR1

AC
Generator OUTPUT

Figure 2-17. Half-wave rectifier test circuit.

2. If the diode in Figure 2-17 opens, the observed
output becomes
a. positive pulsations
b. negative pulsations
c. alternating current
d. none of the above
3. If the diode in a positive half-wave rectifier circuit has insufficient reverse resistance,
then
a. less current flows when the diode is forward biased.
b. current can flow in the negative direction.
c. the efficiency of the rectifier increases.
d. the circuit acts as a negative half-wave rectifier
.
4. In a half-wave rectifier circuit, the output voltage pulse width (diode conduction time)
a. is greater than one-half of the input cycle time.
b. is equal to one-half of the input cycle time.
c. is slightly less than one-half of the input cycle time.
d. depends on the amplitude of the ac input signal.
5. If ac generator connections A and B were reversed in Figure 2-17,
a. the diode would be destroyed.
b. there would be no effect on circuit operation.
c. ac would appear across RL.
d. the output would reverse its polarity.
 VI. CONCLUSION:

Diodes are mainly used for rectification of ac current for use by many electrical
appliances. Rectification is the conversion of sinusoidal waveform into unidirectional (non-
zero) waveform. In this case, the first half cycle of a sinusoidal waveform is positive, and
the inclusion of a reverse biased diode makes the current not to flow to the negative side
of the wave.

Through this experiment, we are tasked to be able to use semiconductor diodes in half-
wave rectifier circuit using a typical half-wave rectifier and to verify the results with an
oscilloscope and a multimeter. Additionally, being able to utilize a diode operating curve to
test a diode by using a typical diode circuit and verify the results with a multimeter are this
experiment’s objectives.

Through my observations and data interpretation, I have learned and realized that the
variations in the pulsating dc output of a rectifier are referred to as ripple. The higher the
ripple frequency, the more effective the circuit. The frequency of an ac waveform is defined
by the number of complete cycles in one. second. An alternating current of 60 Hz has 60
positive and 60 negative alternations in one second. In a half-wave rectifier, the ripple
frequency. is the same as the input voltage frequency because only the negative or /he
positive (depending on how the diode is connected in the rectifier circuit) alternations are
allowed to pass. In addition, based on the Figure 2-15 (Comparison of oscilloscope
waveforms to reference) and in the display screen of the oscilloscope that before point A up
to point A, the diode is not conducting yet. Then beyond point A, this is the time that the
diode will start conducting. At point B and beyond, the diode is not conducting since at this
point the diode will go off. But between point A and point B, the diode is conducting. This is
because the voltage before point A and after point B is not sufficient to overcome the diode
barrier voltage since at these points the diode is not conducting. Mains power supply is
applied at the primary of the step-down transformer.

At the conclusion of this experiment, I, myself as a student, gained knowledge

and realizations on the use of semiconductor diodes in half-wave rectifier circuit
using a typical half-wave rectifier that all the positive half cycles of the stepped
down ac supply pass through the diode and all the negative half cycles get
eliminated. Peak value of the output voltage is less than the peak value of the input
voltage because of the voltage drop across the diode.
B. FULL- WAVE RECTIFICATION:

I. OBJECTIVE:
• To be able to demonstrate rectification using a full-wave bridge rectifier circuit and to
verify the results with an oscilloscope.

II. APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:

• F.A.C.E.T. Base Unit
• SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES Circuit Board
• Power supply, 15 Vdc (2 required)
• Multimeter
• Oscilloscope, dual trace
• Generator, sine wave

MEASUREMENT TOLERANCES

Nominal values have been determined for all measurements in this unit. Measured
values will differ from nominal due to normal circuit and instrument variations. Your
measurements in the following exercise will be acceptable if your power voltages and
circuit measurements lie within the following ranges from nominal unless otherwise
noted in a procedure step:

External power source settings: +15 Vdc = ± 3 percent

-15 Vdc = ± 3 percent
POSITIVE SUPPLYand
NEGATIVE SUPPLY settings: Stated value ± 0.2 Vdc
Multimeter voltage and current measurements: ± 8 percent
Multimeter resistance measurements: ± 20 percent
Frequency/Phase shift/Amplitude (as measured by the oscilloscope): ± 8 percent

III. THEORY:

AC current is simpler and more economical to generate and transmit than is dc

current. For this reason, electric utility companies generate and distribute ac power. But
typical electronic circuits require a de source of power. A rectifier circuit can be used to
convert ac into pulsating dc.
To convert ac to dc, the rectifier circuit must be capable of passing current in one
direction (forward biased) and blocking current in the reverse direction. The diode, with its
unidirectional (one way) current characteristic, is well suited for rectification. Diodes may be
configured in three basic ways to perform rectification.
The first part of this experiment lets you observe how a single diode is able to
perform half-wave rectification on low current applications. Groups of diodes allow a circuit
to perform full-wave rectification, a more efficient process. Figure 3-7 illustrates the two
circuit configurations that provide for full-wave rectification.

Figure 3-7. Full-wave circuit configurations.

 Circuit operation is nearly identical for both configurations. Figure 3-7(a) shows a
center-tapped full-wave rectifier circuit. Figure 3-7(b) shows a full-wave bridge rectifier
circuit. Due to design considerations and transformer efficiencies, the circuit configuration of
Figure 3-7(b) is generally preferred. .
Rectification is a process in which a diode conducts during one alternation of the
input cycle (half-wave rectification). The full-wave bridge rectifier makes possible the
rectification of both alternations of the input cycle.

Figure 3-8 shows a full-wave bridge rectifier circuit with four diodes (01,02. 03. and 04).
The bridge has two input terminals and two output terminals

Fig 3 8 F ll a e BRIDGE ctifi r

The input terminals are marked with a symbol () that indicates the ac sides of the
bridge. The output terminals are marked with plus (+) and minus (-) symbols that indicate the
positive and negative dc output sides of the bridge. When the bridge is in operation, a pair of
diodes at a time conducts. The diode pairs are D1 and D3, and D2 and D4. Because of the
diode pairing, both alternations of the input ac signal are converted to pulsating dc, resulting in
full-wave rectification.

Figure 3-9 shows the conduction of the bridge for each ac alternation. In Figure 3-9(a),
the positive alternation causes diodes D1 and D3 to be forward biased. As a result, current
flows through D3 and the load resistor, then back to the transformer through D1. Because
diodes D2 and D4 are reverse biased at this time, they perform no function in the circuit, and
so they are not shown.

Figure 3-9(a). Conduction paths of a full-wave bridge rectifier.

 Figure 3-9. Conduction paths of a full-wave bridge rectifier

In Figure 3-9(b). the negative alternation causes diodes D2 and D4 to be forward biased.
As a result. current flows through D2 and the load resistor. then back to the transformer through
D4. During this alternation. diodes D1 and D3 are reverse biased and so are not shown.

Notice that both the positive and negative alternations of the input ac voltage are
converted to pulsating dc. Figure 3-9(c) shows the resulting rectified voltage wave shape. ln
addition, the diode pairs steer the pulsating dc output so that current flows through the loading
the same direction during both input voltage alternations.
Because there are two pulses for one complete cycle of the input waveform, as Figure 3-
9(c) indicates. the output pulse frequency of a fuII-wave rectifier is twice that of the input
frequency. Therefore, the ripple frequency of the output is equal to two times the input, or line,
frequency.
The relationship between peak, rms, and average voltages of a full-wave rectifier are shown in
Figure 3-10. ln general, the average value is twice that of a half-wave configuration. The rms
value increases to 0.707.

IV. PROCEDURE

1. Adjust the dc power sources to +15 Vdc and -15 Vdc. Turn the power sources off. Insert
the SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES circuit board into the base unit. Do not turn on the
power sources at this time.

2. Locate the FULL WAVE RECTIFICATION WITH POWER SUPPLY FILTER circuit block,
and connect the circuit shown in Figure 3-11. Install the GENERATOR BUFFER as
shown in the figure.
 Figure 3-11. Test circuit hook up for full-wave bridge rectifier.

3. What is the purpose of R1?

The purpose of R1 is to serve and represent as a load.

4. Using X10 probes, set oscilloscope channels 1 and 2 for 0.5 VIcm. DC couple each input.
Set the time base for 1 ms/cm. Use posit1ve level triggering, and sync the oscilloscope on
channel 1.

5. Connect channel 1 of the oscilloscope to the output terminals of the GENERATOR BUFFER.
Connect channel 2 across the secondary terminals of T1.

6. Measure the transformer secondary, and adjust the generator for a 20 Vpk-pk 100 Hz sine
wave. Compare the secondary voltage to the primary voltage displayed on channel 1 of the
oscilloscope. Based on your voltage readings, is the primary-to-secondary a step-down or a
step-up voltage relationship?

Based on the voltage readings, the primary-to-secondary is a step-up voltage

relationship.

7. Move channel 2 of the oscilloscope to the output side of the bridge (CR1) circuit. Place
the common side of the test probe on the negative point of the bridge. Are one or both
alternations of the input waveform displayed at the output? If one, which one?

Both alternations of the input waveform are displayed at the output.

8. What is the frequency of the output pulsations of the full-wave rectifier circuit (measure
the period of the waveform on channel2 of the oscilloscope)?
The output frequency is twice the input frequency.
 9. Set channel 2 for 2 V Icm. Draw the output waveform on the graph of Figure 3-12. What
is the peak output voltage value?

Figure 3-12. Graph for output voltage waveform.

10. Calculate and record the dc average output voltage (Vavg = Vpk x 0.636). Use the peak
value that you recorded in step 9.

Vavg = 12.881687V x 0.636 = 8.19V

11. Set your multimeter to dc Volts. Measure the circuit output voltage. Compare your
calculated and measured readings. Are they equal within measurement tolerance?

Yes

12. The peak output secondary voltage of the transformer is 10 Vpk. The peak output of the
rectifier circuit is 9 Vpk. Are the readings different due to the forward voltage drop of the
diodes?
Yes

13. Move the channel 2 oscilloscope probe to the top terminal of the transformer secondary.
Ensure that the common lead of the test probe is at the negative terminal of the bridge
circuit. Refer to Figure 3-13 for proper circuit measurement points.

Figure 3-13. One diode drop test points.

14. Using a Xl0 probe, set channel 2 for 0.2 V / cm. Monitor channel 1 of the oscilloscope and
adjust the output of the external sine wave generator for a 10 Vpk_pk signal. Position the
test waveform as indicated by Figure 3-14.
 Figure 3-14. Diode drop test waveforms.

15. Refer to the oscilloscope display. During which alternation of the input voltage is the diode
under test forward biased?

In the negative alternation, the diode is under test forward biased.

16. What is the approximate forward bias voltage drop of the diode being measured?
NOTE: Measure the drop from the channel 2 reference line on Figure 3-14.
Voltage drop = 0.628 V.

17. Refer to the test voltages displayed on the oscilloscope. Is the test diode forward or reverse
biased during the positive alternation of the input voltage?

Forward biased.

18. Move the channel 2 reference line to the middle line of the oscilloscope graticule. Move the
common lead of the channel 2 probe from the negative side of the bridge to the positive side of
the bridge.

19. Refer to your displayed test voltages. During which input alternation does this diode
conduct?

During the positive input alternation.

20. Is the diode forward drop about the same as that measured in step16?

Yes.
21. Figure 3-15 shows a full-wave rectifier circuit in a non-bridge configuration. Based on your
test results, which other diode conducts while D1 is forward biased?

While D1 is forward biased, the diode D3 also conducts, therefore it is forward

biased as well.

22. Do not turn off the power source. The F.A.C.E.T. setup will be used for a review question.
 Figure 3-15. Full-wave rectifier in a non-bridge configuration.

V. EVALUATION:
1. Locate the FULL WAVE RECTIFICATION WITH POWER SUPPLY FILTER circuit block
on the SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES circuit board. Connect the circuit shown in Figure
3-16. Place CM switch 16 in the ON position. What effect does this circuit modification
have on the output voltage?
a. None. Only the input signal is converted
b. The output signal is converted to pulsating ac
c. Both output pulses are reversed
d. The output looks like half-wave rectification

Figure 3-16. Test circuit hookup for full-wave bridge rectifier.

Turn off CM switch 16 and the power sources. Remove all circuit board connections.

2. The purpose of a rectifier circuit is to

a. convert direct current to pulsating current.
b. convert alternating current to pulsating dc.
c. convert pulsating direct current to dc.
d. isolate the source and load voltages.

3. In a full-wave bridge rectifier circuit configuration,

a. only negative input alternations are passed.
b. only positive input alternations are passed.
c. both input alternations are passed at the same time.
d. each input alternation is passed in turn.

4. The output ripple frequency of a full-wave rectifier is

a. double the input frequency.
b. the same as the input frequency.
c. half of the input frequency.
d. 200 Hz.
VI. CONCLUSION:

Through this experiment, we are tasked to be able to demonstrate the operation

of a voltage doubler using measured average and peak output voltages and verify
your results with a multimeter and an oscilloscope. Initially, AC current is simpler
and more economical to generate and transmit than is dc current. For this
reason, electric utility companies generate and distribute ac power. But typical
electronic circuits require a de source of power. A rectifier circuit can be used to
convert ac into pulsating dc. To convert ac to dc, the rectifier circuit must be capable
of passing current in one direction (forward biased) and blocking current in the
reverse direction. The diode, with its unidirectional (one way) current characteristic, is
well suited for rectification. Diodes may be configured in three basic ways to perform
rectification.

The first part of this experiment lets you observe how a single diode is able to
perform half-wave rectification on low current applications. Groups of diodes allow a
circuit to perform full-wave rectification, a more efficient process. In the execution of
this experiment, I could visualize and realize the two circuit configurations that
provide for full-wave rectification. Diodes allow the passing through of current in one
direction and it blocks the other which full-wave rectification is being observed. With
such, it converts alternating dc to pulsating dc during each half-cycles of applied
input voltage. In the case of Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier circuit, two diodes are forward
biased while the other two are reverse biased, they exchanged with the alternations,
but it remains that at least 2 are forward biased and the remaining 2 are reverse
biased. Full-wave rectification rectifies negative component of the input voltage into a
positive voltage, then converts to dc. Therefore, full-wave rectification is preferable
than half-wave rectification since the full-wave utilizes the entire waveform.

At the conclusion of this experiment, I, myself as a student, gained knowledge

and realizations on the use of semiconductor diodes in full-wave rectifier circuit.
Using the data gathered, it can be concluded that the objective of this experiment is
attained.