JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA

Mungeshpur, Delhi-110039
PHYSICS PROJECT
Full Wave Bridge Rectifier
Name- Saurav
Class- 12th Science
Roll no- _____________
 CERTIFICATE

It is certified that SAURAV of class XII has

completed this project under the guidance and
supervision of Mr. KC SHRIVASTAV with great
diligence. The project for the subject of Physics
titled Full Wave Bridge Rectifier is up to the
standards of the Central Board of Secondary
Education and can be sent for evaluation.

Teacher’s Signature Student’s Signature

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I extend my heartfelt thanks to my teacher
Mr. KC SHRIVASTAV for providing me
with the opportunity to work on this physics
project(Full Wave Bridge Rectifier). Your
belief in my abilities and constant
encouragement has motivated me to put forth
my best efforts.

I would also like to acknowledge the

contributions of my fellow classmates, who
have been supportive and collaborative
throughout this project. Your inputs and
discussions have added depth and richness to
the final outcome.
Table of content
1. Abstract
2. Objective
3. Theory
4. Materials Required
5. Circuit diagram
6. Procedure
7. Observations
8. Applications
9. Merits
10. Demerits
11. Conclusion
12. references
 Abstract
A Full wave rectifier is a circuit arrangement which makes
use of both half cycles of input alternating current (AC)
and converts them to direct current (DC). In our tutorial
on Half wave rectifiers, we have seen that a half wave
rectifier makes use of only one-half cycle of the input
alternating current. Thus a full wave rectifier is much more
efficient (double+) than a half wave rectifier. This process
of converting both half cycles of the input supply
(alternating current) to direct current (DC) is termed full
wave rectification.
Full wave rectifier can be constructed in 2 ways. The first
method makes use of a centre tapped transformer and 2
diodes. This arrangement is known as Center Tapped Full
Wave Rectifier.
The second method uses a normal transformer with 4
diodes arranged as a bridge. This arrangement is known as
a Bridge Rectifier.
 Objective
To construct a full wave bridge rectifier
and show that that Alternating Current is
rectified into a Direct Current.
 Theory
The process of converting AC (which periodically reverses
direction) current into DC (which flows only in one direction)
current is known as Rectification.
The electrical device used to so is known as Rectifier.
Rectifiers have many uses, but are often found serving as
components of DC power supplies and high-voltage direct
current power transmission systems. Rectification may serve in
roles other than to generate direct current for use as a source of
power.
The simple process of rectification produces a type of DC
characterized by pulsating voltages and currents (although still
unidirectional). Depending upon the type of end-use, this type
of DC current may then be further modified into the type of
relatively constant voltage DC characteristically produced by
such sources as batteries and solar cells.
A diode bridge is an arrangement of four (or more) diodes in a
bridge circuit configuration that provides the same polarity of
output for either polarity of input. When used in its most
common application, for conversion of an alternating current
(AC) input into a direct current (DC) output, it is known as a
bridge rectifier. A bridge rectifier provides full-wave
rectification from a two-wire AC input, resulting in lower cost
and weight as compared to a rectifier with a 3-wire input from
a transformer with a center-tapped secondary winding.
 Materials Required:
Connecting wires
Step-down transformer
Diodes (4)
Capacitor (1)
LED (1)
Circuit Diagram
 Procedure
Initially when the A.C. is supplied to the transformer, it steps
down the 220V main supply to 6 volts. It has a capability of
delivering a current of 500mA. The 6 volts A.C. appearing across
the secondary coil is the RMS value and the peak value is 8.4
volts. During the Ist half cycle of the A.C. input Diode D1 is
forward biased and a current ‘I’ flows in the circuit in the
direction ABCDEFGHIJKLM. During this time diodes D2 and D3
are reverse biased. So they do not conduct any electric current.
During the next half cycle the diode D2 is forward and D1 is
reversed. Hence D2 conducts current in the direction
MLKJCDEFGHIA and D1 does not conduct any current.
In subsequent half cycles of the A.C current the above processes
are repeated. In both the half cycles it is clear that current flows
through LED in only one direction.
Even though the voltage across LED is unidirectional it will still
contain a few A.C components. This is filtered and made smooth
using a capacitor, which filters 99% of the A.C current.
Capacitor nearly filters all A.C components from the supply. But
there will be slight factor of A.C. current still left in the output
but it is negligible. The output Direct Current and voltage light up
the LED.
Observations
 Applications
Because of their low cost compared to center
tapped they are widely used in power supply
circuit.
This can be used to detect the amplitude of
modulated radio signal.
Bridge rectifiers can be used to supply
polarized voltage in welding.
In daily life, rectifier find use in mobile
chargers.
Merits:-
The rectification efficiency of full-wave rectifier is double of that of a
half-wave rectifier.
The ripple voltage is low and of higher frequency in case of a full-
wave rectifier so simple filtering circuit is required.
Higher output voltage higher output power and higher TUF in case
of a full-wave rectifier.
In a full-wave rectifier, there is no problem due to DC saturation of
the core because the DC currents in the two halves of the transformer
secondary flow in opposite directions.

Demerits:-
Full-wave rectifier needs more circuit elements and is costlier.
 Conclusion
The output voltage of the full wave rectifier
is not constant, it is always pulsating. But
this cannot be used in real life applications.
In other words, we desire a DC power
supply with a constant output voltage. In
order to achieve a smooth and constant
voltage a filter with a capacitor or an
inductor is used.
References
Physics – Textbook for class XII (NCERT)
Laboratory Manual of Physics
Encyclopedias
www.google.in
www.wikipedia.org
www.youtube.com