Name: Transistor as a Switch
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 5 min 31 s
Description: You can turn your electric appliances or devices on and off using a switch. Do you know that the transistor can also act as a switch? Let us explore more in...

Question

What is rectification? Explain the working of a full wave rectifier.

Accepted Answer

The conversion of alternating current into the direct current is called rectification. Diodes are used for rectification because they allow the unidirectional flow of current. Diodes conduct only when they are forward biased. When two diodes are used in a circuit we get the output voltage during the positive and negative half cycles of the input ac voltage.

The circuit for a full-wave rectifier is shown below:

For a full-wave rectifier, the secondary of a transformer is provided with a centre-tapping. The $p -$ side of two diodes is connected to the two ends of the secondary of a transformer. The $n -$ side of the diodes are connected together and the output is taken between the common point of diodes and the midpoint of the secondary transformer. We know that a diode conducts when it is forward biased. When A is positive, the diode D₁ conducts and when B is positive then D₂ conducts. Each diode rectifies only for half of the cycle, but the two do it for alternate half cycles. Thus, the output between their common terminal and the centre-tap of the transformer becomes a full-wave rectifier output. The input and output signal of a full-wave rectifier is shown below.

What is rectification? Explain the working of a full wave rectifier.

Important Questions on Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits

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