Full wave rectifier with regulated power supply using PN junction diode and

Zener Diode

Aim: To design and build a constant DC power supply for battery charging application

Learning objectives:

 Understand the operation of full wave rectifier circuit

 Determination of output voltages and currents
 Analyze the operation of rectifier circuit with capacitor filter
 Study the application of diodes in power supply circuits

Equipments / components required for hardware setup:

Sl. No. Item Range Quantity

1. Transformer 230/12 V 1
2. PN junction diode 1N4002 4
3. Zener diode 1N4739 1
4. Capacitor 47μF 1
470Ω 1
5. Resistor
1 kΩ 1
6. Breadboard - 1
7. - As
Wires
required
8. CRO - 1

Theory:

Regulated Power supply:

The purpose of a power supply is to take electrical energy in one form and convert it into
another. There are many types of power supply. Most are designed to convert high voltage AC
mains electricity to a suitable low voltage supply for electronic circuits and other devices such as
computers, fax machines and telecommunication equipment. A power supply can by broken
down into a series of blocks, each of which performs a particular function. The block diagram of
a regulated power supply is shown in Figure 1. A transformer first steps down high voltage AC
to low voltage AC. A rectifier circuit is then used to convert AC to DC. This DC, however,
contains ripples, which can be smoothened by a filter circuit. Power supplies can be ‘regulated’
or ‘unregulated’. The filtered output from the rectifier circuit can be regulated (maintained
constant) with the help of Zener regulator.

Figure 1.Block diagram of a regulated power supply

Full wave bridge rectifier

Full wave bridge rectifier uses 4 diodes connected across the secondary of the
transformer. During the positive half cycle of the AC input voltage, diodes D1 and D3 are
forward biased and they conduct current as shown in the figure 2. The other two diodes are
reverse biased. The voltage developed across the load resistance will be similar to the positive
half cycle of the ac input wave.

Figure 2.Operation during positive half cycle

During the negative half cycle of the AC input voltage, diodes D 2 and D4 are forward
biased and they conduct current as shown in the figure 3. The other two diodes are reverse
biased. The current through the load resistance will be in the same direction as during the
positive half cycle. As a result of this action, a full wave rectified (unidirectional) output voltage
is developed across the load resistance and the resulting waveform is shown in the figure 4.
 Figure 3.Operation during negative half cycle

Figure 4.Full wave rectified output voltage across the load

The output of the rectifier contains dc as well as ac component. The presence of ac

component (ripple) is undesirable and hence can be removed with a help of a capacitor filter. The
capacitor charges quickly near the peak of the varying DC, and then discharges as it supplies
current to the output. The filtered output will be as shown in figure 5.

Figure 5.Filtered output voltage

Zener diode as regulator

An ideal voltage regulator will maintain a constant dc output voltage regardless of

changes in either its input voltage or its load current demand. Since the reverse breakdown
voltage across a Zener diode remains constant, it can be used as a shunt voltage regulator. Hence
the voltage across the load remains constant at the Zener voltage as shown in figure 6.

Figure 6.Output voltage of regulated power supply

Experimental Procedure:

1. Full wave Rectifier circuit:

1. Plug the transformer in to the wall socket and measure the voltage at the secondary side
of the transformer using oscilloscope.
2. Build the rectifier circuit using 4 diodes and the transformer as shown in the circuit
diagram. Connect the secondary voltage of the transformer as the AC source for the
rectifier circuit.
3. Observe and measure the load voltage VL with the help of an oscilloscope. Record the
resulting waveform.

2. Regulated Power supply circuit:

1. Add a capacitor in parallel with the load as shown in circuit diagram.

2. Observe and record the resulting waveform.
3. Record the values for maximum voltage, minimum voltage, peak to peak voltage, and the
average DC voltage.
4. To build a power supply with constant DC output voltage, the excess voltage across the
load can be limited with a Zener diode and hence connect a Zener diode in parallel with
the load resistance and observe and measure the voltage across the load.
Circuit diagram:

Regulated power supply circuit

Result & Inference: