INTRODUCTION

Although in our daily life we use A.C. current devices. But

rectifier is a Electronic device which converts A.C. power
into D.C. power.
The study of the junction diode characteristics
reveals that the junction diode offers a low resistance path,
when forward biased, and a high resistance path, when reverse
biased. This feature of the junction diode enables it to be used
as a rectifier.
The alternating signals provides opposite kind
of biased voltage at the junction after each half -cycle. If the
junction is forward biased in the first half -cycle, its gets
reverse biased in the second half. It results in the flow of
forward current in one direction only and thus the signal gets
rectified.
In other words, we can say, when an
alternating e.m.f. signal is applied across a junction diode, it
will conduct only during those alternate half cycles, which
biased it in forward direction.

TYPE OF RECTIFIER
Mainly we have two types of rectifier :
1. Half wave rectifier.
2. Full wave rectifier.

JUNCTION DIODE AS HALF WAVE RECTIFIE
When a single diode is used as a rectifier, the rectification of
only one-half of the A.C. wave form takes place. Such a
rectification is called half-wave rectification. The circuit
diagram for a half-wave rectifier is shown in Fig.
Principle :
It is based upon the principle that junction diode offers
low resistance path when forward biased, and high resistance
when reverse biased.
Arrangement :-
The A.C. supply is applied across the primary coil(P)
of a step down transformer. The secondary coil(S) of the
transformer is connected to the junction diode and a load
resistance RL. The out put D.C. voltage is obtained across the
load resistance(RL)
Theory :
Suppose that during the first half of the input cycle,
the junction diode gets forward biased the conventional current
will flow in the direction of the arrow-heads. The upper end
of RL will be at positive potential w.r.t. the lower end. During
the negative half cycle of the input a.c. voltage, the diode is
reverse biased. No current flows in the circuit, and therefore,
no voltage is developed across (RL). Since only the positive
half cycle of the input appears across the load, the a.c. input is
converted into pulsating direct current (d.c.).


Disadvantage of Half-Wave-Rectifier :
1. Half wave rectification involves a lot of
wastage of energy and hence it is not preferred.
2. A small current flows during reverse bias due
to minority charge carriers. As the output across (RL) is
negligible.
3. The resulting d.c. voltage is not steady enough
for some purpose. The following device is used when a very
steady d.c. voltage is required.

JUNCTION DIODE AS A FULL WAVE RECTIFIER
A rectifier which rectifies both waves of the a.c. input is
called a full wave rectifier.
Principle :- It is based upon the principle that a junction
diode offers low resistance during forward biased and high
resistance, when reverse biased.



Difference from half-wave-rectifier :-
The main difference is that in full wave rectifier we use two
diodes. For this when we apply a.c. current to the rectifier
then the first half wave get forwar d biased due to first
diode. And when the second half wave comes. Then at that
time the second diode comes in action and gets forward
biased. Thus output obtained during both the half cycles of
the a.c. input
Arrangement :-
The a.c. supply is applied across the primary
coil(P) of a step down transformer. The two diodes of the
secondary coil(S) of the transformer are connected to the P-
sections of the junction diodes (D1) and (D2). A load
resistance (RL) is connected across the n-sections of the two
diodes and at centre of the secondary coil. The d.c. output will
be obtained across the load resistance (RL).
Theory :-
Suppose that during first half of the input cycle, upper
end of (S) coil is at positive potential. And lower end is at
negative potential. The junction diode (D1) gets forward
biased, while the diode. (D2) get reverse biased. When the
second half of the input cycle comes, the situation will be
exactly reverse. Now the junction diode (D2) will
conduct. Since the current during both the half cycles flows
from right to left through the load resistance (RL) the output
during both the half cycles will be of same nature.
Thus, in a full wave rectifier, the output is continuous
but pulsating in nature. However it can be made smooth by
using a filter circuit.

REVERSE BIASING ON A JUNCTION DIODE
A P-n junction is said to be reverse biased if the
positive terminal of the external battery B is connected to n-
side and the negative terminal to p-side of the p-n junction. In
reverse biasing, the reverse bias voltage supports the potential
barrier VB. (Now the majority carriers are pulled away from
the junction and the depletion region become thick. There is
no conduction across the junction due to majority
carriers. However, a few minority carriers (holes in n-section
and electrons in p-section) of p-n Junction diode cross the
junction after being accelerated by high reverse bias
voltage. Since the large increase in reverse voltage shows
small increase in reverse current, hence, the resistance of p-n
junction is high to the flow of current when reverse biased.

MATERIAL REQUIRED
1. Transformer :
It is device which is used to increase or
decrease the alternati ng current and alternating voltage. For
the rectifier, it may be step down or step up.
2. Junction Diode :
It is made up of p-type and n-type
semiconductor which conducts when the p terminal of diode to
connect to positive terminal of battery and n region is
connected to negative terminal of battery i.e. during forward
biased and does not conduct during reverse biased.