Types of Rectifier Circuit and Their Working Principles

Rectifier circuits are electronic circuits that convert AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current). There are several types of rectifier circuits, including:

  • Half-wave rectifier: This is the simplest type of rectifier circuit and consists of a single diode connected in series with the load. The diode conducts only during the positive half-cycle of the AC input, blocking the negative half-cycle. As a result, the output voltage is a series of half-waves, which is not suitable for most practical applications.
  • Full-wave rectifier: A full-wave rectifier circuit uses two diodes to convert both the positive and negative half-cycles of the AC input into DC. There are two types of full-wave rectifiers: center-tap and bridge.
    • Center-tap rectifier: This type of rectifier circuit uses a center-tapped transformer and two diodes. The center tap of the transformer is connected to the ground, and the two diodes are connected to the ends of the secondary winding. The diodes conduct alternately, allowing both halves of the AC input waveform to be converted to DC. The output voltage is twice that of the center-tapped secondary winding.
    • Bridge rectifier: A bridge rectifier uses four diodes connected in a bridge configuration to convert the AC input to DC. The four diodes form a bridge, and the output voltage is taken across the load resistor. The advantage of a bridge rectifier is that it does not require a center-tapped transformer and produces a higher output voltage than a center-tap rectifier.
  • Voltage multiplier rectifier: A voltage multiplier rectifier is used when a high DC voltage is required. It uses a ladder-like network of diodes and capacitors to multiply the peak voltage of the AC input waveform.

Working principle

In a rectifier circuit, the diode(s) conducts only during the positive half-cycle of the AC input waveform and blocks the negative half-cycle. The result is a pulsating DC voltage that is not suitable for most practical applications. To smooth out the pulsations, a filter capacitor is usually connected across the load resistor.

In a half-wave rectifier circuit, the output voltage is equal to the peak value of the input voltage multiplied by the diode’s forward voltage drop. In a full-wave rectifier circuit, the output voltage is twice the peak value of the input voltage multiplied by the diode’s forward voltage drop.

In a voltage multiplier rectifier circuit, the output voltage is equal to the peak value of the input voltage multiplied by the number of stages in the voltage multiplier circuit. The output voltage can be significantly higher than the input voltage, but the circuit is more complex than a simple rectifier circuit.