A rectifier is an electronic device that converts AC voltage into DC voltage.
In other words, it converts alternating current to direct current.
A rectifier is used in almost all electronic devices.
Mostly it is used to convert the mains voltage into DC voltage in the power supply section.
By using DC voltage supply electronic devices work.
According to the period of conduction, rectifiers are classified into two categories:
Half Wave Rectifier
A simple Half Wave Rectifier is nothing more than a single pn junction diode connected in series to the load resistor. As you know a diode is to electric current like a one-way valve is to water, it allows electric current to flow in only one direction. This property of the diode is very useful in creating simple rectifiers which are used to convert AC to DC.
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| Figure: Half wave rectifier circuit |
Working of Half Wave Rectifier
PN junction diode conducts only during the forward bias condition. Half wave rectifier uses the same principle as PN junction diode and thus converts AC to DC. In a half-wave rectifier circuit, the load resistance is connected in series with the PN junction diode. Alternating current is the input of the half-wave rectifier. A step-down transformer takes an input voltage and the resulting output of the transformer is given to the load resistor and to the diode.
During the positive half cycle, the diode is under forwarding bias conditions. During the negative half cycle, the diode is under reverse bias condition. The voltage output is measured across the load resistance. During the positive half-cycles, the output is positive and significant. And during the negative half cycle, the output is zero or insignificant. This is known as half-wave rectification.
Advantages of Half wave Rectifier
Cheap
Simple (Simple because of the straight forwardness in circuit design)
Easy to use
A low number of components
More amount of ripple content
Transformer utilization factor is very low
Rectification efficiency is low
Generates harmonics
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