Question

Draw the circuit diagram of a full wave rectifier using p-n junction diode.

Explain its working and show the output, input waveforms.

Answer 1

Full wave rectifier:

When the diode rectifies the whole of the AC wave, it is called full wave rectifier.

The figure shows the arrangement for using diode as full wave rectifier. The alternating input signal is fed to the primary P₁P₂ of a transformer. The output signal appears across the load resistance R_L.

During the positive half of the input signal, suppose P₁ and P₂ are negative and positive respectively. This would mean that S₁ and S₂ are positive and negative respectively. Therefore, the diode D₁ is forward biased and D₂ is reverse biased. The flow of current in the load resistance R_L is from A to B.

During the negative half of the input signal, S₁ and S₂ are negative and positive respectively. Therefore, the diode D₁ is reverse biased and D₂ is forward biased. The flow of current in the load resistance R_L is from A to B.