1 Answer
A full-wave rectifier is a circuit that converts alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). It uses both halves of the AC waveform, unlike a half-wave rectifier, which only uses one half. This makes a full-wave rectifier more efficient in converting AC to DC.
Here's how it works:
1. **AC Input**: The AC voltage is fed into the rectifier. The AC signal alternates between positive and negative cycles.
2. **Diodes**: A full-wave rectifier typically uses two diodes (for a center-tapped transformer) or four diodes (in a bridge rectifier configuration). The diodes are arranged to allow current to flow only in one direction, effectively "clipping" the negative part of the AC waveform.
3. **During Positive Half-Cycle**: When the AC input is positive, current flows through one of the diodes, allowing current to pass through the load resistor and flow in the correct direction.
4. **During Negative Half-Cycle**: When the AC input becomes negative, the current cannot pass through the first diode, but it can now flow through the second diode, still moving in the same direction through the load resistor.
5. **Output**: The result is that both the positive and negative halves of the AC input are "flipped" so that the current always flows in the same direction through the load, producing a pulsating DC output.
### Key Points:
- **Bridge Rectifier**: Uses four diodes arranged in a bridge configuration. This is the most common form for full-wave rectifiers.
- **Smooth DC Output**: The output is not perfectly smooth DC but a rippled form. To smooth it further, a filter (usually a capacitor) is added to the circuit.
In short, the full-wave rectifier provides a higher average output voltage and current than a half-wave rectifier because it uses both halves of the AC waveform.
Here's how it works:
1. **AC Input**: The AC voltage is fed into the rectifier. The AC signal alternates between positive and negative cycles.
2. **Diodes**: A full-wave rectifier typically uses two diodes (for a center-tapped transformer) or four diodes (in a bridge rectifier configuration). The diodes are arranged to allow current to flow only in one direction, effectively "clipping" the negative part of the AC waveform.
3. **During Positive Half-Cycle**: When the AC input is positive, current flows through one of the diodes, allowing current to pass through the load resistor and flow in the correct direction.
4. **During Negative Half-Cycle**: When the AC input becomes negative, the current cannot pass through the first diode, but it can now flow through the second diode, still moving in the same direction through the load resistor.
5. **Output**: The result is that both the positive and negative halves of the AC input are "flipped" so that the current always flows in the same direction through the load, producing a pulsating DC output.
### Key Points:
- **Bridge Rectifier**: Uses four diodes arranged in a bridge configuration. This is the most common form for full-wave rectifiers.
- **Smooth DC Output**: The output is not perfectly smooth DC but a rippled form. To smooth it further, a filter (usually a capacitor) is added to the circuit.
In short, the full-wave rectifier provides a higher average output voltage and current than a half-wave rectifier because it uses both halves of the AC waveform.