Aim : To study the rectification of alternating voltage and the effect of different types of

filters in smoothing the output voltage using a low tension regulated d.c. supply.

Introduction and hypotheses: In alternating current the electron flow is alternate, i.e.

the electron flow increases from zero to a minimum in one direction decreases to zero

then increases to a minimum in the opposite direction and again decreases to zero.

Direct current flows in One Direction only. Rectifier converts alternating current to flow in

one direction only. When the anode of the diode is positive with respect to its cathode, it

is forward biased allowing current to flow. But when its anode is negative with respect to

the cathode, it is reverse biased and does not allow current to flow. This unidirectional

property of the diode is useful for rectification. A single diode arranged back to back

may all the electrons to floor during positive half cycles only and suppress the negative

half cycles. Double diodes arranged back to back may act as a full wave rectifiers as

they may allow the electron flow during both positive and negative half cycles. Four

diodes can be arranged to make a full wave bridge rectifier. Different types of filter

circuits are used to smooth out the pulsations in amplitude of the output voltage from a

rectifier. The property of capacitor to oppose any change in the voltage applied across

them by storing energy in the electric field of the capacitor and of inductors to oppose

any change in the current flowing through them by storing energy in the magnetic field

of coil may be utilized. To remove pulsation of the direct current obtained from the

rectifier, different, types of combination of capacitor, inductors and resistors may be also

used to increase two action of filtering.

requirement for the Test Bench of a home experimenter’s minilab. A battery eliminator

can eliminate or replace the batteries of a solid-state electronic equipment and the

equipment thus can be operated by 230 V A.C. mains instead of the batteries or dry

cells. Nowadays, the use of commercial battery eliminator or power supply unit have

become increasingly popular as power source for household appliances like

transceivers, record player, cassette players D. Clock etc.

Apparatus: A step down transformer (220v – 6 volt), Diodes, one plug with wire,

Electrolytic capacitor, Soldering kit, resistance etc.

Theory :

Rectification: Rectification is a process of rendering an alternating current or voltage

into an unidirectional one. The component used for rectification is called ‘Rectifier’. A

rectifier performance current to flow only during the positive half cycles of the applied

AC voltage by eliminating the negative half cycles or alternations of the applied AC

voltage. Thus pulsating DC is obtained. To obtain smooth DC power, additional filter

circuits are required.

A diode can be used as rectifier. There are various types of diodes. But, semiconductor

diodes are very popularly used as rectifier. A semiconductor diode is a solid state

device consisting of two elements are being an electron emitter or cathode, the other

and electron collector or anode. Since electrons in a semiconductor diode can flow in
one direction only-from emitter to collector- the diode provides the unilateral conduction

necessary for rectification. Out of the semiconductor devices, copper oxide and

selenium rectifier are also commonly used.

1. Half wave rectification and,

2. Full wave rectification,

Half wave rectification:

Since a rectifier diode can change AC into pulsating DC by eliminating the negative half

cycles of the applied AC voltage, only a series of sine wave pulsations of positive

polarity remains (Fig.-1).

Full wave rectification:

Full wave rectification is a process by which both the two halves (+) ve & (-) ve of the

AC voltage can be obtained after rectification. Fig-2 shows the wave form of the AC

supply voltage and fig-2 to shows the same voltage after rectification for the whole

cycle. So, in the case of full wave rectification the elimination of the negative cycles of

the applied AC voltage do not occur as happened in the case of half wave rectification.

Full wave rectification may be effected by two different ways:

1. Using two diodes and a centre tap transformer.

2. Using a bridge rectifier and a general purpose Transformer,

Transformer (6-0-6) close and two semiconductor diodes. Lets represent the two

sides of Transformer by ‘A’ and ‘B‘ which ‘C’ will represent the center tap. So

voltage at ‘A’ and also at ‘B’ with respect to ‘C’ will be 6v respectively. Recall that,

the secondary winding gives alternating current. When this current has the direction

‘A’ to ‘B’ say this first half cycle .

During first half cycle, the diode D-1 comes in conduction and D-2 remains non-

conductive. But, during the second half cycle, the diodes inter charge their roles i.e.

D-2 comes in conduction and D-1 becomes non-conductive. The net result obtained

is a pulsating unidirectional current (D.C.).

2. Now refer fig-4. It also represents of full wave rectifier circuit. But this circuit user a

‘Bridge Rectifier’ for full wave rectification. The transformer is not centre tap type but

general purpose type. the bridge Rectifier is nothing but the combined form of four

rectifier diodes, in which the four elements are place in a network like resistor in the

arms of wheatstone’s Bridge.

During one half period the diodes D-1 & D-2 comes in conduction and the current

follows the path AERLFB. But, in the subsequent half the diodes D-3 & D-4 come in

conduction and the current follows the path BERLFA. The net result is therefore,

pulses of ‘Direct current’ which follows the path ERLF. Comparison of the two

methods: in the both above cases, the wave forms of AC in input and DC in the
 output will look like fig-2. Note that, the centre tapped transformer circuit gives a

voltage output one half of the bridge rectifier circuit when energy from the same AC

supply is derived and the same transformer is used. This happens because, in each

cycle, the centre tapped transformer circuit make the use of voltage across only half

of the secondary winding wile the bridge rectifier circuit makes the use of voltage

across the total winding of the secondary part of the transformer.

Pulsation: The rectifier circuits we have discussed above delivers an output voltage

that always has the same polarity: but however, this output is not suitable as DC power

supply for solid state circuits. This is due to the pulsation or ripples of the output voltage.

This should be removed out before the output voltage can be supplied to any circuit.

This smoothing is done by incorporating filter networks. The filter network consists of

inductors and capacitors. The inductors or choke coils are generally connected in series

with the rectifier output and the load. The inductors oppose any change in the

magnitude of a current flowing through them by storing up energy in a magnetic field.

An inductor offers very low resistance for DC whereas, it offers very high resistance to

AC. Thus, a series connected choke coil in a rectifier circuit helps to reduce the

pulsations or ripples to a great extent in the output voltage. The fitter capacitors are

usually connected in parallel with the rectifier output and the load. AS; AC can pass

through a capacitor but DC cannot; the ripples are thus limited and the output becomes

smoothed. When the voltage across its plates tends to rise, it stores up energy back into

voltage and current. Thus, the fluctuation in the output voltage are reduced

considerable. Filter network circuits may be of two types in general:

in the filter network, the filter is called ‘choke input filter’ see fig. It’s the schematic

diagram of a typical choke-input filter circuit. The D.C. along with AC pulsation from

the rectifier circuit at first passes through the choke (L). It opposes the AC

pulsations but allows the DC to pass through it freely. Thus AC pulsations are

largely reduced. The DC ripples are by passed through the parallel capacitor C.

However, a little nipple remains unaffected which are considered negligible. This

little ripple may be reduced by incorporating a series a choke input filters.

2. Capacitor input Filter: If a capacitor is placed before the inductors of a choke-

input filter network, the filter is called capacitor input filter. Fig represent the circuit

arrangement of a typical capacitor input filter. The D.C. along with AC ripples from

rectifier circuit starts charging the capacitor C. to about peak value. The AC ripples

are then diminished slightly. New the capacitor C, discharges through the inductor

or choke coil which opposes the AC ripples except the DC. The second capacitor C

by passes the further AC ripples. A small ripple is still present in the output of DC

which may be reduced by adding additional filter network in series.

Comparison of the two types of filter: The D.C. output voltage of a choke input filter

is not equal to the peak value of pulsation. This happens because, when any load

current is drown the choke coil prevent the capacitor to change it to the peak

voltages of the AC pulsation refer fig of wave forms we notice from there that the

case of capacitor input filter, the output DC voltage remains almost near to the peak
 values of the A.C. pulsation for capacitor input filter circuit is always higher than that

of a choke input filter circuit for the same A.C. input voltage.

Note that, the voltage regulation for a choke input filter is very good while the same

for a capacitor input filter network is comparatively poorer.

PRECAUTIONS:
1. Input supply should not exceed to more than 250 volts ac.
2. Capacitor should not be of high voltage to protect the appliance.
3. Solderings should not be dry at any point.
4. Do not touch the primary windings of transformer.

REFERENCES:

1. BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS : MALVINO & ZBAR.