ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT

Electronic Devices and Circuits Manual

ACTIVITY 3: Half-Wave Rectification

3.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity

a. ability to apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve engineering problems
b. ability to design and conduct fieldworks, as well as to analyze and interpret data
c. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams

3.2 Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
a. identify the output waveform of a half-wave signal
b. calculate the rectified half-wave signal’s DC level
c. evaluate the precision of the experiment conducted

3.3 Objectives of the Activity

The objective of this activity is to:
a. be familiar with half-wave rectification

3.4 Principle of the Activity

The primary function of half-wave and full-wave rectification systems is to establish a

DC level from a sinusoidal input signal that has zero average (DC) level.
The half-wave signal of Fig. 3.1 normally established by network with a single diode has
an average or equivalent DC level equal to 31.8% of the peak value Vm. That is,

(3.1)

The full-wave rectified signal of Fig. 3.2 has twice the average or DC level of the half-
wave signal, or 63.6% of the peak value, Vm. That is,

(3.2)

ACTIVITY 3: HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION 1

 For the large sinusoidal inputs (Vm VT) the forward-biased transition voltage of a
diode can be ignored. However, for situations when the peak value of the sinusoidal signal is not
that much greater than VT, VT can have a noticeable effect on VDC.
In rectification systems, the peak inverse voltage (PIV) or Zener breakdown voltage
parameter must be considered carefully. For typical single-diode half-wave rectification systems,
the required PIV level is equal to the peak value of the applied sinusoidal signal. For the four-
diode full-wave bridge rectification system, the required PIV level is again the peak value, but
for a two-diode center-tapped configuration, it is twice the peak value of the applied signal. The
PIV voltage is the maximum reverse-bias voltage that a diode can handle before entering the
Zener breakdown region.

3.5 Materials/Equipment

Instruments:
1 unit Oscilloscope
1 unit DMM

Components:
Resistors:
2 pieces 2.2 kΩ

Diodes:
2 pieces Silicon

Supplies:
1 unit Function generator

3.6 Circuit Diagrams / Figures / Source Codes (if Applicable)

Figure 3.1 Half-wave signal Figure 3.2 Full-wave signal

ACTIVITY 3: HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION 2

 Figure 3.3 Half-wave rectifier

Figure 3.4.

Figure 3.8

ACTIVITY 3: HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION 3

 Table 2.4

Figure 3.11

3.7 Procedure/s

Part 1. Threshold Voltage

Choose one of the silicon diodes and determine the threshold voltage, VT, using the
diode-checking capability of the DMM or a curve tracer.

VT = _______

Part 2. Half-Wave Rectification

a. Construct the circuit of Fig. 3.3 using the chosen diode of Part 1. Record the measured
value of the resistance. Set the function generator to a 1000-Hz 8 Vp-p sinusoidal voltage
using the oscilloscope.

b. The sinusoidal input (e) of Fig. 3.3 has been plotted on the screen of Fig. 3.4. Determine
the chosen vertical and horizontal sensitivities. Note that the horizontal axis is the 0 V
line.

Vertical sensitivity = __________

Horizontal sensitivity = __________

c. Using the threshold voltage of Part 1 determine the theoretical output Vo for Fig. 3.3 and
sketch the waveform on Fig. 3.5 for one full cycle using the same sensitivities employed
in Part 2 (b). Indicate the maximum and minimum values on the output waveform.

ACTIVITY 3: HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION 4

 d. Using the oscilloscope with the AC-GND-DC coupling switch in the DC position, obtain
the voltage Vo and sketch the waveform on Fig. 3.6. Before viewing vo be sure to set the
vo = 0 V line using the GND position of the coupling switch. Use the same sensitivities as
in part 2(b).

e. Calculate the DC level of the half-wave rectified signal of step 2(d). Assume the positive
pulse of the waveform encompasses one-half the period of the input waveform when
using Eq. 3.1.

VDC(Calculated) = _______

f. Measure the DC level of vo using the DC scale of the DMM and find the percent
difference between the measured value and the calculated value of Part 2(e) using the
following equation:

VDC(measured) = _______
%Difference = _______

g. Switch the AC-GNC-DC coupling switch to the AC position. What is the effect on the
output signal vo? Does it appear that the area under the curve above the zero axis equals
the area under the curve below the zero axis? Discuss the effect of the AC position on
waveforms that have an average value over one full cycle.

h. Reverse the diode of Fig. 3.3 and sketch the output waveform obtained using the
oscilloscope on Fig. 3.7. Be sure the coupling switch is in the DC position and the vo = 0
V line is preset using the GND position. Include the maximum and minimum voltage
levels on the plot as determined using the chosen vertical sensitivity.

i. Calculate and measure the DC level of the resulting waveform of Fig. 3.7. Insert the
proper sign for the polarity of VDC as defined by Fig. 3.3. Assume the positive pulse of
the waveform encompasses one-half the period of the input waveform when using Eq.
3.1.

VDC(calculated) = ________
VDC(measured) = ________

ACTIVITY 3: HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION 5

Part 3.Half-Wave Rectification (continued)

a. Construct the network of Fig. 3.8. Record the measured value of the resistor R.

b. Using the threshold voltage of Part 1 determine the theoretical output voltage v o for the
Fig. 3.8 and sketch the waveform on Fig. 3.9 for one full cycle using the same
sensitivities employed in part 2(b). Indicate the maximum and minimum values on the
output waveform.

c. Using the oscilloscope with the coupling switch in the DC position obtain the voltage v o
and sketch the waveform on Fig. 3.10. Before viewing vo be sure to set the v o = 0V line
using the GND position of the coupling switch. Use the same sensitivities as in Part 3(b).

d. What is the most noticeable difference between the waveform of Fig. 3.10 and that
obtained in Part 2(h)? Why did the difference occur?

e. Calculate the DC level of the waveform of Fig. 3.10 using the following equation:

VDC(calculated) = ________

f. Measure the output DC voltage with the DC scale of the DMM and calculate the percent
difference using the same equation appearing in Part 2(f).

VDC(measured) = _______
%Difference = _______

Part 4. Half-Wave Rectification (continued)

a. Using the network of Fig. 3.11. Record the measured value of each resistor.

b. Using the measured resistor values and VT from Part 1, forecast the appearance of the
output waveform vo and sketch the result on Fig. 3.12. Use the same sensitivities
employed in Part 2(b) and insert the maximum and minimum values of the waveform.
c. Using the oscilloscope with the coupling switch in the DC position obtain the waveform
for vo and record on Fig. 3.13. Again be sure to preset the vo = 0 V line using the GND

ACTIVITY 3: HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION 6

 position of the coupling switch before viewing the waveform. Using the chosen
sensitivities determine the maximum and minimum values and place on the sketch of Fig.
3.13

d. Reverse the direction of the diode and record the resulting waveform on the Fig. 3.14 as
obtained using the oscilloscope.

3.8 Activity Report

Section: Date Performed:

Course Code: Date Submitted:
Course Title:
Instructor:
Group No.: Activity No.:

Group Members: Signature:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

3.8.1 Data and Results

Figure 3.5

ACTIVITY 3: HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION 7

 Figure 3.6

Figure3.7

Figure 3.9

ACTIVITY 3: HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION 8

 Figure 3.10

Figure 3.12

Figure 3.13

ACTIVITY 3: HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION 9

 Figure 3.14

3.8.2 Calculations

3.8.3 Observations (if applicable)

How do the results of Parts 2(c) and 2(d) compare?

How do the results of Parts 3(b) and 3(c) compare?

Are the waveforms of Figs. 3.12 and 3.13 relatively close in appearance and magnitude?

ACTIVITY 3: HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION 10

 Compare the results of Figs. 3.13 and 3.14. What are the major differences and why?

3.8.4 Conclusion/s

ACTIVITY 3: HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION 11

 3.8.5 Rating (include Rubric)

Pre-initiation Initiating Implementing Refining Sustaining

Criteria
1 2 3 4 5

1. Activity Member does not Member follows good Member follows good Member follows good Member follows good and
Conduct follow good and safe and safe laboratory and safe laboratory and safe laboratory safe laboratory practice at
laboratory practice in practice some of the practice most of the practice at all times in all times in the conduct of
the conduct of activity. time in the conduct of time in the conduct of the conduct of activity. activity and encourages
activity. activity. others to do the same.
2.Equipment Member is unable to Member is able to Member is able to Member is able to Member is able to operate
Operation and operate the equipment operate equipment and operate equipment and operate the equipment the equipment and
Material and instruments. instrument with much instrument with and instruments with instruments with ease and
Handling supervision. supervision. ease and with without supervision.
minimum supervision.
3. Data The group has The group has The group has The group has The group has
Collection presented mostly presented relevant but presentedrelevant presentedrelevant presentedrelevant complete
irrelevant data. incompleteandinaccura partial but accurate and andalmost complete and accurate data.
te data. relevant data. but accurate data.

4. Data There are many There are some Analysis is partially Analysis is correct. Analysis is correct. The
Analysis and inaccuracies in inaccuracies in correct. The group The group recognized group recognized some
Evaluation analysis. The group did analysis. The group recognized some errors some errors and errors and inaccuracies in
not attempt to make didattempt to make and inaccuracies in the inaccuracies in the the processed, manipulated
some links to prior some links to prior processed, manipulated processed, manipulated and presented data. The
knowledge. knowledge. and presented data. and presented data. group is able to relate
The group is able to The group is able to presented data to other
make some links to make some links to knowledge.
prior knowledge. prior knowledge.

5. Results The group has no The group has vague The group has clear The group has clear The group has clear and
Interpretation interpretation of data interpretation of data and logical and logical logical interpretation of
and has invalid and conclusion is interpretation of data interpretation of data data and is able to draw
conclusion. fundamentally flawed. and/ attempts to and is able to draw suitable accurate
identify trends from some conclusions from conclusions from the data
the data. the data.

Total Score
Mean Score = (Total Score / 5)

Percentage Score = (Total Score / 25) x 100%

ACTIVITY 3: HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION 12