The three basic rectifier circuits are the half$-$wave, the full$-$wave, and the bridge. The ripple frequency of a half$-$wave rectifier is equal to the input frequency, whereas the ripple frequency of a full$-$wave or bridge rectifier is equal to twice the input frequency. For a given transformer, the unfiltered output of the half$-$wave and full$-$wave rectifiers ideally has a dc value of slightly less than half the rms secondary voltage $(45$ percent$),$ and the unfiltered output of a bridge rectifier is slightly less than the rms secondary voltage $(90$ percent$).$

In this experiment, all three types of rectifiers will be built and their input$-$output characteristics measured. Be especially careful in this experiment when connecting the transformer to line voltage. The transformer should have a fused line cord with all primary connections insulated to avoid electrical shock. Be sure to ask your instructor for help if you are unsure of how to properly connect the transformer.

GOOD TO KNOW

The bridge rectifier is typically sold as a single four$-$terminal package rather than built with four discrete diodes.

Required Reading

Chapter $4($Secs$.4-1$ to $4-4)$ of Electronic Principles, $9$th ed$.$

Equipment

$1$ transformer, $12\mathrm{.}6$ V ac center$-$tapped $($Triad F$-44$X or equivalent$)$ with fused line cord

$($a$)$

$4$ silicon diodes: $1$ N$4001($or equivalent$)$

$11/2-$W resistor: $1k$

$1$ DMM $($digital multimeter$)$

$1$ oscilloscope

Procedure

HALF$-$WAVE RECTIFIER

Using a DMM$,$ measure and record the value of the resistor. Change the DMM mode to diode test, and measure and record the voltage across each of the four diodes when forward and reverse biased. In Fig. $7-1a,$ the rms

Figure $7-1$

$33$

impedance:

$($a$)Z=33-j50$

$($c$)Z=\frac{1\mathrm{.}8}{{?}_{-}}67\mathrm{.}2k$

$($b$)Z=\frac{300}{{?}_{-}}25$

$($d$)Z=\frac{789}{{?}_{-}}45$

impedance:

$($a$)Z=33-j50$

$($c$)Z=\frac{1\mathrm{.}8}{{?}_{-}}67\mathrm{.}2k$

$($b$)Z=\frac{300}{{?}_{-}}25$

$($d$)Z=\frac{789}{{?}_{-}}45$