Full Wave Rectifier Project Complete
Full Wave Rectifier Project Complete
1 Introduction 5
2 Aim 6
3 Theory 7-10
6 Procedure 14-15
9 Advantages & 20
Disadvantages
10 Applications 21
11 Conclusion 22
12 Bibliography 23
Introduction
A full-wave rectifier is an electronic circuit that converts alternating current (AC) into direct
current (DC)...Unlike a half-wave rectifier, which wastes 50% of the input cycle, a full-wave
rectifier improves efficiency by utilizing both positive and negative halves.This project
explores two configurations:
Rectifiers are vital in power supplies for devices like laptops and mobile chargers. This
project aligns with NCERT Class XII Physics (Chapter 14: Semiconductor Electronics)...
Aim
1. To construct a full-wave rectifier circuit (bridge/center-tapped).
2. To convert 220V AC mains supply to 12V DC.
3. To analyze input/output waveforms using a CRO.
4. To calculate ripple factor (γ) and rectification efficiency (η).
5. To compare theoretical and practical results.
Theory
**Rectification** is the process of converting AC to DC. Diodes act as one-way valves,
allowing current only in the forward bias.
**Mathematical Analysis**
1. **Ripple Factor (γ):**
γ = (RMS value of AC component) / (DC component) = sqrt((Vrms/Vdc)^2 - 1)
For full-wave: γ = 0.48.
2. **Efficiency (η):**
η = (Pdc / Pac) × 100 = (8/π²) × 100 ≈ 81.2%.
Materials & Components
1. Step-down transformer (220V AC to 12V AC, 1A)
2. Diodes (1N4007) – 4 for bridge rectifier
3. Electrolytic capacitor (1000µF, 25V) for filtering ripples
4. Resistor (1kΩ, 2W) as load
5. Breadboard for circuit assembly
6. CRO & Multimeter for waveform & voltage analysis.
Procedure
1. **Safety First**: Wear gloves and use insulated tools.
2. Assemble the bridge rectifier circuit on a breadboard.
3. Connect the transformer’s secondary to the diode bridge.
4. Attach the capacitor and resistor in parallel.
5. Use a CRO to observe input AC waveform and pulsating DC output.
6. Measure voltages using a multimeter.
Observations & Calculations
| Parameter | Theoretical | Practical |
|-----------|-------------|------------|
| Input AC Voltage | 12V RMS | 11.8V RMS |
| Output DC Voltage | ~10.8V | 10.5V |
| Ripple Factor | 0.48 | 0.52 |
| Efficiency | 81.2% | 78% |
Results & Discussion
The output DC voltage (10.5V) is slightly lower than theoretical (10.8V) due to diode voltage
drop (0.7V per diode).Higher practical ripple factor (0.52 vs. 0.48) indicates imperfect
filtering.Efficiency reduction (78% vs. 81.2%) is caused by component losses.
Conclusion
This project confirms that full-wave rectifiers efficiently convert AC to DC. Practical results
align closely with theory, validating concepts from the NCERT textbook. The bridge
rectifier’s compact design makes it ideal for modern electronics.
Bibliography
1. NCERT Class XII Physics Textbook (Chapter 14: Semiconductor Electronics)
2. Horowitz, P., & Hill, W. 'The Art of Electronics'
3. AllAboutCircuits.com – 'Full-Wave Rectifier Basics'