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Updated on 02nd March, 2023 , 4 min read
A type of rectifier known as a full wave rectifier is one that transforms the AC signal's two halves into a pulsating DC signal. Full-wave rectifiers are used for the conversion of AC voltage to DC voltage whic hrequires multiple diodes to construct. The process of converting an AC signal to a DC signal is known as full wave rectification.
Electrical circuits called rectifiers convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). If such rectifiers correct both the positive and negative half cycles of an input alternating waveform, they are full-wave rectifiers.
We can classify rectifiers into two types:
A large amount of power is lost when using a half-wave rectifier because only one half of each cycle is allowed to proceed while the other cycle is blocked. Furthermore, the half-wave rectifier's efficiency (40.6%) prevents us from using it for applications that require a constant and dependable DC output. A full wave rectifier is used to produce a more effective and reliable DC output.
A half-wave rectifier uses only the half wave of the input AC signal, whereas full wave rectifiers use the entire cycle of the alternating wave. This is the fundamental distinction between a half-wave rectifier and a full wave rectifier.
The full wave rectifier can be used to compensate for a half wave rectifier's lower efficiency.
Full wave rectification is the procedure used in a full wave rectifier to convert an AC signal to a voltage signal.
Compared to half-wave rectifiers, these rectifiers have a few key advantages. The output of this rectifier has much less ripple than the output of the half-wave rectifier, resulting in a smoother output waveform. The average (DC) output voltage is higher than for the half-wave rectifier.
Two diodes are used in this circuit, one for each half of the wave. The secondary winding of a multiple-winding transformer is divided equitably into two halves with a common center-tapped connection. When a diode's anode terminal is positive relative to the transformer's center point C, the configuration causes each diode to conduct in turn, producing an output during each half-cycle. Compared to a half-wave rectifier, this rectifier has more flexible advantages
The Full Wave Rectifier functions in accordance with the following:
These come in two varieties: bridge rectifier circuit and center tapped full wave rectifier. Full-wave rectifiers are used in a variety of applications because each type has unique features.
A secondary winding of a tapped transformer with the secondary winding of AB tapped at the center point "C" and two diodes such as D1, D2 connected in the upper and lower portions of the circuit can be used to construct this type of rectifier. The D1 diode uses the AC voltage that appears across the upper side of the secondary winding for signal rectification, while the D2 diode uses the lower of the two windings. This kind of rectifier is extensively used in thermionic valves & vacuum tubes.
The circuit for a center tap full-wave rectifier is displayed below. Once the AC supply is turned on, the circuit allows the AC voltage like Vin to flow across the two terminals like AB of the transformer's secondary winding.
Four rectifying diodes can be used to create a full-wave rectifier for a bridge rectifier. There is no center tapping involved. As its name implies, a bridge circuit is a part of the circuit. Four diodes can be connected in the circuit in a closed-loop bridge configuration. Because there is no center-tapped transformer in this rectifier, it is less expensive and smaller.
The applications of a full-wave rectifier include –
Full wave rectifiers turn the input AC waveform’s two polarities into pulsating DC. Where is a full wave rectifier used? Electric welding and signal modulation both use full wave rectifiers.
The half-wave rectifier uses only a half cycle of an AC waveform. A full-wave rectifier has two diodes, and its output uses both halves of the AC signal. During the period that one diode blocks the current flow the other diode conducts and allows the current.
The full-wave rectifier, when used in a power supply, allows us to convert practically all of the incoming AC power to DC. The full-wave rectifier also serves as the brains behind the circuitry that allows sensors to connect to the RCX in either polarity.
A centre tapped full wave rectifier is a type of rectifier that uses a centre tapped transformer and two diodes to convert the complete AC signal into DC signal.
The full wave rectifiers are not suitable to use when a small voltage is required to be rectified. This is because, in a fullwave circuit, two diodes are connected in series and offer double voltage drop due to internal resistances.