Electrical Engineering ⇒ Topic : Full-wave Rectifier

Full-wave Rectifier

When input alternating voltage is applied to the primary of the transformer, voltage is induced in the secondary. Figure (a) shows a full-wave rectifier. When A is positive w.r.t. B, D₁ is forward biased while D₂ is reverse biased. So first positive half cycle appears across the load. For next negative half cycle of input, C is positive w.r.t. B. D₂ acts as a forward biased while D₁ acts as reverse biased. So this next negative half cycle appears across load as unidirectional. Since both cycles appear across load as an unidirectional direct current, it is called full-wave rectification.

                                   Figure (a) Full-wave rectifier.

From Figure (a), it is clear that the output of full-wave rectification is unidirectional,pulsating, and continuous.