STUDY OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF A

STEP-DOWN TRANSFORMER ATTACHED WITH A FULL

WAVE BRIDGE RECTIFIER AND FILTER CIRCUIT

PROJECT WORK
Submitted to the National School of Sciences, National Examination
Board, in the partial fulfilment for the requirement of Grade-12 of science
in physics.

Name: Prabal Rimal

Nayabazar-16, 19 August , 2024
Roll no: 511
Reg. no:

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 Acknowledgement

It is my good fortune to get very cooperative teacher Mrs. Pooja Shrestha. During the work in
progress, her support, helpfulness and constant encouragement kept me motivated in research
work. She provided invaluable interest, guidance during the course of the work. I have not only
learned but also got important suggestions regarding scientific writing and other related matters. I
am very much grateful to her.

I would like to thank all the faculty members of Physics department who have provided
encouragement and suggestions during the course of work and special thanks to lab assistants.

Further, I would also like to extend my gratitude to the principal Dr. Madhav Prasad Baral and
NSS executive director ma’am Pranita Sharma Baral for providing me all the facility that was
required.

Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the greatest mentor, my parents. All the
thanks are due to them for everything that I have achieved.

Prabal Rimal
Date: 19 August, 2024

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 Evaluation

It is certified that Mr. Prabal Rimal has carried out the project work entitled “STUDY OF THE
CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF A STEP-DOWN TRANSFORMER ATTACHED WITH A FULL
WAVE BRIDGE RECTIFIER AND FILTER CIRCUIT”.

This Project Work is the result of his endeavors, effort and research. It is finalized under our
guidance and supervision in the academic year 2024-2025.

------------------- ---------------------------
Supervisor
Head of the Department
Pooja Shrestha Department of Physics
Department of Physics National School Of sciences
National School of Sciences Lainchour, Kathmandu,
Lainchour, Kathmandu, Nepal Nepal

Date: ……………………. Date: ...……………………

-------------------------- -----------------------
External Examiner Principal
NEB Board, Nepal National School of Sciences
Date: ……………………. Lainchour, Kathmandu,
Nepal
Date: ...……………………

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 Table of Contents

Contents Pages
Title of project work …………………………………………………. i
Acknowledgement …..……………………………………………… ii
Certificate …………………………………………………. iii
Table of contents …………………………………………………. iv

1. Introduction …………………………………………………. 5
 Transformer …………………………………………………. 5
 Rectifier …………………………………………………. 6
2. Method …………………………………………………. 8
 Components used ....…………………………………………….. 9
 Steps for project ……………………………………………….. 11
 Working principle…………………………………………………. 11

3. Result …………………………………………………… 12
4. Discussion …………………………………………………... 12
 Limitations & sources of error ...……………………………….12
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography/ References …..………………………………………… 13

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STUDY OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF A STEP-
DOWN TRANSFORMER ATTACHED WITH A FULL WAVE BRIDGE
RECTIFIER AND FILTER CIRCUIT

1. Introduction
 Transformers
History of Transformers:
Early Concepts:

 Michael Faraday (1831): Faraday's experiments with electromagnetic induction

laid the groundwork for transformer technology. He discovered that a changing
magnetic field could induce an electric current in a conductor.

Initial Development:

 Joseph Henry (1830s): Henry demonstrated mutual induction and explored the
relationship between current and magnetic fields, contributing to the development
of transformer principles.

Practical Transformers:

 William Stanley (1885): Stanley, working for Westinghouse Electric, built the
first practical transformer and used it to improve the efficiency of electrical
distribution.

Commercial Use:

 The late 19th century: Transformers became widely used in electrical power
systems, particularly for stepping up voltage for long-distance transmission and
stepping down voltage for local distribution.

Major Equations for Transformers

Basic Transformer Equation:

The primary and secondary voltages and currents in an ideal transformer are related by:

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 Transformers are essential components in electrical engineering used to change
voltage levels in AC circuits. The fundamental principles are based on Faraday's
Law of Induction and mutual induction. The major equations for transformers relate
the primary and secondary voltages and currents, the efficiency of the transformer,
and the relationship between magnetic flux and core area.

 Rectifier
History of Rectifiers:

Early Discoveries:

 Wilhelm Röntgen (1895):Röntgen’s discovery of X-rays indirectly led to the

development of rectification technology. His work in the field of electrical
currents and radiation opened pathways for exploring electronic components.
 John Ambrose Fleming (1904): Fleming invented the Fleming Valve, the first
practical vacuum tube rectifier. It allowed current to flow in only one direction, a
fundamental property of rectification.

Development of Semiconductor Rectifiers:

 Shockley, Bardeen, and Brattain (1947):The invention of the transistor by these

scientists at Bell Labs paved the way for the development of semiconductor
devices, including diodes used in modern rectifiers.
 The 1950s-60s: The development of silicon diodes and rectifier bridges allowed
for more efficient and compact rectification circuits, replacing vacuum tubes in
many applications.

Major Equations for Rectifiers

Rectifiers convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). They come in different
configurations, such as half-wave and full-wave rectifiers. Here are the key equations and
principles for these rectifiers:

Half-Wave Rectifier

Operation: Only one half-cycle of the AC input is used to produce a pulsating DC output.

Peak Voltage:

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Average Output Voltage:

RMS Voltage:

Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV):

Full-Wave Rectifier

Operation: Utilizes both half-cycles of the AC input, resulting in a smoother DC output

compared to half-wave rectifiers.

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Bridge Rectifier

Rectifiers are crucial for converting AC to DC and are widely used in power
supplies, audio equipment, and electronic devices. The major types include half-
wave, full-wave, and bridge rectifiers, each with specific equations for output
voltage and peak inverse voltage. Understanding these principles helps in designing
efficient power supply circuits and ensuring the proper

2. Method:

A full-wave bridge rectifier is a popular circuit used to convert alternating current

(AC) into direct current (DC). It uses four diodes arranged in a bridge configuration
to achieve this conversion.

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The components used are:

 Breadboard:
A breadboard is a tool used for
prototyping electronic circuits
without the need for soldering. It
allows you to build and test circuit
designs quickly and easily. Here’s
an image of the breadboard:

 P-N junction diode:

A PN junction diode is a fundamental

semiconductor device used in a variety
of electronic circuits. It consists of a
junction between two types of
semiconductor material: P-type (positive)
and N-type (negative). Here’s an image
of the diode used:

 Jumper wire:

A jumper wire is a short piece of

wire used to make connections
between different points on a
breadboard or circuit board. They
are commonly used in electronics
for prototyping and testing circuits.
Here’s an image on jumper wires:

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  Resistor:
It is an electronic component that limits the flow of
electrical current in a circuit. It does this by providing
a specific amount of resistance, which is measured in
ohms (Ω). Resistors are used to control voltage and
current, divide voltages, and protect other
components from excessive current.

They come in various forms and sizes, from small

surface-mount resistors on circuit boards to larger,
more rugged resistors used in power applications.
The resistance value of a resistor is usually marked
with color bands on its body, which can be decoded
to determine its resistance.

 LED:

An LED, or Light Emitting Diode, is a

semiconductor device that emits light
when an electric current passes through
it. Unlike traditional incandescent bulbs,
LEDs are highly efficient and have a
long lifespan. They are used in a wide
range of applications, from indicator
lights on electronic devices to large
display screens and even general
lighting.

All the given components are

used in order to make a
complete series as shown in
figure given aside and full wave
rectifier is constructed in order
to convert AC current into DC
current.

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Steps for the Project:

Assemble the Circuit:

 Connect the diodes in a bridge configuration on the breadboard.

 Connect the transformer secondary winding to the AC input of the bridge
rectifier.
 Connect the capacitor across the output terminals to smooth the DC
voltage.
 Attach the load resistor across the output.

Testing:

 Measure the AC input voltage using a multimeter.

 Measure the DC output voltage with and without the capacitor.
 Observe the effect of the capacitor on the smoothness of the output DC
voltage.

Documentation:

 Prepare a report including the schematic diagram, working principle,

observations, and any calculations related to the circuit performance.

Working Principle:

Positive Half-Cycle: When the AC input is positive at the top terminal, diodes D1
and D3 conduct, allowing current to flow through the load resistor in one
direction.

Negative Half-Cycle: When the AC input is negative at the top terminal, diodes
D2 and D4 conduct, allowing current to flow through the load resistor in the
same direction as during the positive half-cycle.

Output: The output across the load resistor is a pulsating DC voltage. The
capacitor across the output helps to smooth out this pulsating DC into a more
constant DC voltage.

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3. Results:

A full-wave bridge rectifier is a popular circuit used to convert alternating current

(AC) into direct current (DC). It uses four diodes arranged in a bridge configuration
to achieve this conversion.

As shown in the table above, in reverse biased, AC output is obtained and even LED
bulb glows in 3.58V, 5.00V, and 6.15V.Also in forward biased, DC output is obtained
and LED bulb glows in 2.94V, 3.96V, and 5.01V.

4. Discussion:

AC to DC Conversion: The full-wave bridge rectifier effectively converts AC

voltage into DC voltage. This is evidenced by the measured DC output voltage,
which, although slightly less than the theoretical peak voltage, aligns well with
expected values. The theoretical peak voltage is calculated as:

Limitations and Sources of Error

 Component Tolerances: The performance of the bridge rectifier is subject to

component tolerances. Variations in diode forward voltage drops and
capacitor values can affect the accuracy of the output voltage and ripple.
 Measurement Accuracy: Measurements taken with standard multimeters or
oscilloscopes might have some degree of error. Ensuring accurate
calibration and proper measurement techniques is essential for reliable
results.

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  Thermal Effects: Diode performance can degrade with temperature,
affecting both the forward voltage drop and overall efficiency. In high-
power setups, thermal management becomes crucial.

5. Conclusion:

The full-wave bridge rectifier successfully converts AC to DC with effective ripple

reduction due to the capacitor. The project demonstrates the importance of
component selection and circuit design in achieving desired performance. Practical
observations align well with theoretical predictions, validating the rectifier’s
functionality. Future improvements could involve experimenting with different
capacitor values, incorporating voltage regulation, and addressing heat dissipation
for higher power applications.

This discussion ties your results back to the theoretical concepts, analyzes the
performance of the rectifier, and suggests practical considerations and
improvements.

6. References:

I took my all of the references for this project from following web sites
 Google Scholar

 Physics Today (American Institute of Physics)

https://pubs.aip.org/physicstoday

 Everyday Mysteries: Physics (QC)

https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/

Also this project was done by me as well as my team members.

All the team members had a good cooperation with each other and helpful
nature.

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