Experiment No : 03

Name of the Experiment : Study of half wave rectifier circuit with free-wheeling diode.
Objectives :
1. To demonstrate the operation of half wave rectifier with free-wheeling diode.
2. To analyze the input and output waveforms of a half-wave rectifier with free-wheeling to
understand rectification behavior.
3. To understand how the free-wheeling diode eliminates the negative voltage spikes caused
by the inductive load.

Theory : When the load is inductive, the negative part of the output voltage waveform reduces
the average output voltage. To prevent the output voltage from going negative, a free-wheeling
diode can be place in the circuit. When the output voltage begins to go negative, the freewheeling
diode starts conducting. This maintains the output voltage at approximately zero while the energy
stored in the inductor is being release. The output voltage waveform is the same as for a purely
resistive load, and the average output voltage is therefore greater than it would be without the free-
wheeling diode.

Circuit Diagram :

Figure-01 : Connection of half wave rectifier circuit

(RL Load) with free-wheeling diode .
Required Apparatus :
SL No. Apparatus Name Quantity

1. Mobile Workstation (8110) 01

2. Power Supply(8821) 02

3. Resistive Load (8311) 01

4. Inductive load (8321) 01

5. DC Voltmeter (8412) 01

6. DC Ammeter (8412) 01

7. Power Diodes (8842) 02

8. Current Isolator (9056) 01

9. Voltage Isolator (9056) 01

10. Oscilloscope 01

11. Connecting wires As required

Data Table :
Line Voltage I1dc(A) i1(A) E1dc e1 (V) Z1(a) Z1(b) Resistive(Ω)
(Vac) (V) Resistive Load & Inductive
(Ω) Load(H)
130 0.15 0.792 50 3.32 400 R=400 , L=1.267

Calculation :
Three resistors of 1200 Ω are connected in parallel.
1 1 1 1
Equivalent resistance , = (1200 + 1200 + 1200 ) Ω
𝑅

1 3
=> = 1200 Ω
𝑅

=> 𝑅 = 400 Ω

Three inductors of 3.8 H are connected in parallel.

 1 1 1 1
Equivalent inductance , = (3.8 + 3.8 + 3.8 ) H
𝐿

1 3
=> 𝐿 = 3.8 H

=> 𝐿 = 1.267 H

From the output graph we gets,

f = 50 Hz
Im = Ip = 0.792 A
𝐼𝑚 0.792
Irms = = = 0.396 A
2 2

Vm = Vp = 3.32 V
𝑉𝑚 3.32
Vrms = = = 1.66 V
2 2

400Ω resistor and 1.267 H inductor are connected in series.

Now ,
Impedence , Z = R + jXL
= ((400 + j(2×3.1416×50×1.267))Ω
= (400 + j398.041) Ω
Output power , P0 = E1(dc)×I1(dc) W
= 50×0.15 W = 7.5 W

Results :

Figure-02 : Output current waveform . Figure-03 : Output voltage waveform .

Output Curve : The output curve by the MATLAB simulation is given below ,

Figure-04 : Simulated input voltage and output (current and voltage) curve of a (RL Load) with
free-wheeling diode in oscilloscope.

Discussion : The study of the half wave rectifier circuit using a power diode was conducted to
analyze its operation.The circuit is composed of an AC voltage source, a diode for rectification, a
free-wheeling diode, a resistive and inductive load, and measuring devices such as current and
voltage isolators connected to an oscilloscope.The AC voltage source is connected to the rectifying
diode, which allows current to flow only during the positive half-cycle of the AC waveform.The
output of the rectifying diode is connected to an resistive and inductive load.A free-wheeling diode
is placed parallel to the inductive load to allow current to circulate through the load during the
negative half-cycle, preventing interruptions in the current flow.Current and voltage isolators are
used to measure and monitor the behavior of current and voltage across the resistive and inductive
load, and the output signals are sent to an oscilloscope for analysis.During the positive half-cycle
of the AC input, the rectifying diode conducts, allowing current to flow through the load.When the
AC voltage enters the negative half-cycle, the rectifying diode becomes reverse-biased, and the
free-wheeling diode becomes forward-biased. This enables the current stored in the inductive load
to continue circulating through the load and the free-wheeling diode.Voltage and current
waveforms are displayed on the oscilloscope using signals measured by the isolators. The voltage
waveform shows the pulsating DC nature of the circuit, while the current waveform exhibits a
smooth decay due to the inductive load and free-wheeling diode.The current isolator provides a
smooth current waveform with continuity maintained during the non-conduction phase of the
rectifying diode.The voltage isolator shows a pulsating voltage waveform with a zero-voltage
period during the negative half-cycle when the rectifying diode is non-conductive.
Conclussion : In conclusion, the operation of the half wave rectifier with a free-wheeling diode
has been thoroughly analyzed. The role of the free-wheeling diode in ensuring continuous current
flow through the inductive load . Voltage spikes caused by the inductive nature of the load have
been observed and found to be reduced significantly. Current and voltage waveforms have been
displayed and analyzed to understand the circuit’s behavior. It has been confirmed that the circuit's
performance is enhanced by the inclusion of the free-wheeling diode, ensuring smoother operation.
The effectiveness of the circuit in managing inductive loads has been validated successfully.