This document summarizes a physics project on constructing a full wave rectifier. The student aims to show that alternating current can be rectified into direct current. Key components of the circuit include a transformer, diodes, capacitor, and resistor. When alternating current enters the circuit, the diodes allow current to flow through the circuit in only one direction on both half-cycles of current, rectifying it into direct current which is then filtered by the capacitor and resistor before powering an LED.

1. PHYSICS PROJECT
ON
Full Wave Rectifier
2016-2017
Name – Somrat Dutta
Class – XII Sec – A
School Roll No –
Board Roll No –
School – Delhi Public School,
Siliguri

2. INDEX
1. AIM
2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
3. CERTIFICATE
4. INTRODUCTION
5. MATERIALS REQUIRED
6. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
7. WORKING
8. BIBLOGRAPHY

3. AIM
“To construct a full wave rectifier
and show that Alternating Current
is rectified into a Direct Current”
Acknowledgement

4. The project could have never been
possible without the support of various
sources. It is extremely impossible to
thank every individual who has helped
me in completing this project. Some
people have helped in the basic
formularization and there were sources
that helped me in giving the ideas a
physical form/shape. I am extremely
grateful to my mentor,
Mr. Shekhar Jha for his invaluable
guidance in the project right from the
beginning. His vital support helped the
project to take a logical and suitable
shape. I take this opportunity to thank
the School authorities, for extending
their full support and cooperation in the
project. Last but not the least; I would
like to thank everyone who has offered a
helping hand when required

5. CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Somrat Dutta
(Roll_No:…..……) student of Class XII,
Delhi Public School, Siliguri has
completed the project titled. “Full
Wave Rectifier” during the academic
year 2016-17 towards partial fulfillment
of credit for the Physics Project
evaluation of AISSCE 2017, and
submitted working model and
satisfactory report, as compiled in the
following pages, under my supervision.

6. _________________________
Teacher’s Signature
Introduction
A full wave rectifier is a device which is
used to rectify all the alternating current
components in an alternating
supply and make it purely a direct
current. The two alternating halves of an
alternation current are rectified in a full
wave rectifier which is an advantage
over a half wave rectifier. Most
electronic devices cannot withstand
very high voltage or alternating current
due to its intense high power. The use of
batteries in all devices is not practical
as their replacement and durability is a
huge problem as the device has to be
dismantled each time for such

7. a replacement. So these rectifiers
are used in most of the electronic
devices like TV’s, Radios, Chargers,
and Lightings etc.
Materials required
1. Connecting wires
2. A plug
3. Single lead wire - 2m
4. 3 nuts & Bolts 2 to 3cm length

8. 5. Circuit board
6. A Transformer
7. A capacitor
8. A Resistor (1 K Ω )
9. P-N junction diodes
10. A LED
11. Insulation tape, Blades, soldering
wax, soldering lead, soldering iron
&sand paper
circuit diagram

9. Connection details:
Connections are done as in the circuit.
The A.C. supply is given to both the
input wires of the transformer and the
two ends of the secondary coil is given
to the P side of the two diodes and the
N side of the diodes are twined and
then connected to one end of the
capacitor and the other end to the
center tap lead and to the resistor.
Further, the other end of capacitor with
the diode connect ion is connected to
the other end of the resistor. Connect 2
leads on both the ends of the resistor to
measure the output and this is
connected to the +ve & -ve terminals of
the bulb.
Working

10. 1st when the A.C. is supplied to the
transformer, it steps down the 230V
main supply to 6 volts. It has a
capability of delivering a current of
500mA. The 6 volts A.C. appearing
across the secondary is the RMS value
and the peak value is 8.4 volts. During
the 1st half cycle of the A.C. input Diode
D1 is forward biased and a current ‘I’
flows in the circuit in the direction S 1D1
ABEOS1. During this time diode D2 is
reverse biased. So it does not conduct
any electric current. During the next half
cycle, the diodeD2 is forward and D1 is
reversed. Hence D2 conducts current in
the direction S2D2 ABEOS2and D1 does
not conduct any current. In subsequent
half cycles of the A.C current the above
processes are repeated.

11. In both the half cycles it is clear that
current flows through the resistor in only
one direction ABE. Even though the
voltage across RL is unidirectional it will
still contain a few A.C components. This
is filtered and made smooth using a
capacitor, which filters 99% of the A.C
current. A resistor is then used to adjust
the output voltage. Capacitor also
nearly filters all A.C components from
the supply and resistance is adjusted for
the required output. As this is a simple
circuit, only one capacitor and a
resistance are being used. But there will
be slight factor of A.C. current still left in
the output but it is negligible. The
output Direct Current and voltage light
up the LED.

12. Bibliography
 Physics – Textbook for XII (NCERT)
 Modern’s ABC of Physics

13.  Laboratory Manual (Rachna Sagar
Pub.)
 Encyclopedia