12.2.4

Rectification

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Rectification

Rectification is the process of converting an alternating current into a direct current.

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Half-wave rectification

  • A rectifier is a component that turns an alternating current into a direct current (one direction.
  • Diodes act as rectifiers as they block the alternating current when it changes direction.
  • This is known as a half-wave rectification, as it only allows half of the wave to pass through.
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Full-wave rectification

  • Full-wave rectification involves reversing the direction of the parts of the wave that would be cut out by half-wave rectification.
  • This produces an output that more closely resembles a direct current than for half-wave rectification.
  • To make the output current more like a direct curent, we can use a process called smoothing.
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Smoothing

  • Smoothing is achieved by using a capacitor.
  • The alternating current charges up the capacitor, which periodically discharges when the current reaches its peak.
  • The discharge of the capacity 'slows down' the decrease of the current, smoothing out the bumps.
    • The lower the load resistance of the circuit, the higher the capacitance of the capacitor.
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Bridge rectifier

  • A bridge rectifier is an array of four diodes arranged in such a way that performs a full-wave rectification on an alternating current input.
  • When the alternating current is positive, the current travels from the input terminal and passes through one of the diodes, producing a direct current at the positive output terminal.
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Bridge rectifier cont.

  • When the alternating current switches direction, the current travels from the other input terminal, through one diode, maintaining the direct current at the positive output terminal.

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