Rectification is the process of converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) using rectifier circuits. There are two main types of rectifiers: half-wave and full-wave. A half-wave rectifier uses a single diode to pass only the positive half of the AC waveform, resulting in a DC output that fluctuates between 0V and the peak voltage. A full-wave rectifier uses four diodes in a bridge configuration to rectify both the positive and negative halves of the AC waveform, producing a fuller DC output.

1. Rectification
Presenter: Damion Lawrence, MSc

2. Rectification
 Rectification is the conversion of alternating
current (AC) to direct current (DC).
 There are two different rectification circuits,
known as 'half-wave' and 'full-wave' rectifiers.

4. Half-wave rectifier
 In this type of rectification, the top, or positive,
half of the a.c. waveform is allowed to pass
through the rectifier.
 The half-wave rectifier is the simplest type of
rectifier since it only uses one diode.

7.  While the output of the half-wave rectifier is
DC (it is all positive), it would not be suitable
as a power supply for a circuit. Firstly, the
output voltage continually varies between 0V
and Vs-0.7V, and secondly, for half the time
there is no output at all.

8. The Full-wave Rectifier
 Both halves of the waveform (negative and
positive) are rectified and the resultant output
is a fluctuating uni-directional waveform.

10. Bridge full wave rectifier circuit

11.  Four diodes are arranged so that both the
positive and negative parts of the AC
waveform are converted to DC. When the AC
input is positive, diodes A and B are forward-
biased, while diodes C and D are reverse-
biased.

12.  When the AC input is negative, the opposite
is true - diodes C and D are forward-biased,
while diodes A and B are reverse-biased.