Types of full-wave rectifier
Rectification is a process used to convert AC to DC, the rectifier is an important circuit at electronics because every circuit network works with DC.
The rectifier is a circuit used to convert alternating current (AC) into pulsing direct current (DC), there are only two types of rectifier networks half-wave rectifier and full-wave rectifier.
The half-wave rectifier circuit only rectify the positive half cycle and grounded out the negative half cycle, but the full-wave rectifier network rectify both positive and negative half cycles of the sinusoidal wave AC.
Types of full-wave rectifier
There are only two types of the full-wave rectifier circuit
- Full-wave center-tapped rectifier
- Full-wave bridge rectifier
Center-tapped full-wave rectifier
The figure shows the center-tapped transformer-based full-wave rectifier network, the circuit consist of two diodes tapped with a center-tapped transformer.
Center-tapped full-wave rectifier Working
The working of the center-tapped full-wave rectifier is simple because on both positive and negative half-cycles each of the diodes will conduct and oppose the flow of current.
When the positive half cycle reaches the circuit, the D1 diode will conduct and produce a half cycle.
Then the negative half cycle will reach the circuit, D2 diode will conduct and produce a half cycle.
Both the half cycles combined to form a full-wave rectifier output.
Bridged full-wave rectifier
The figure shows the bridge full-wave rectifier circuit, the circuit consist of four diodes connects to the bridge.
Bridged full-wave rectifier Working
The working principle of a bridge full-wave rectifier is the same as a center-tapped full-wave rectifier, but here instead of two diodes, we have four diodes.
When the positive half cycle reaches the bridge circuit, D1 and D2 diodes will conduct at a time and produce half cycle, D3, and D4 diodes will stop the flow of current.
And when the negative half cycle reaches the bridge circuit, D3 and D4 diode will conduct and produce a half cycle, and D1 and D2 will stop conducting.
Both the produced half-cycle combined to form a full-wave rectifier output.
Difference between center-tapped rectifier and bridge full-wave rectifier
The center-tapped full-wave rectifier and bridge full-wave rectifier are the main types of full-wave rectifiers.
Both of them had their difference and similarities, in this section, we try to explain the difference between full-wave center-tapped and full-wave bridge rectifiers.
| Factors | Center tapped rectifier | Bridge rectifier |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit arrangement | Two diodes with a center-tapped transformer | Four diode |
| Ripple factor | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Efficiency | 80% | 85% |
| Voltage regulation | Good | Much better |
| Voltage drop | Low | High due to the presence of four |
| Circuit complexity | Less | high |
| PIV(Peak inverse voltage) | 2VS max | VS max |
| Transformer utilization factor (TUF) | 0.6 | 0.8 |
