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Full Wave Rectifier With C-Filter in MATLAB

Fatemeh Nabidoust
Mohammad Nabidoust
Electrical, Electronic and Computer Science Engineering Department

nabidoustf@[Link] || [Link]@[Link]

ARTI C LE I N FO
ABSTRACT
Keywords: full wave rectifier,
AC to DC Peak Inverse Voltage, Electric circuits that convert AC to DC are known as rectifiers. Rectifiers
Circuit are classified into two types as Half Wave Rectifiers and Full Wave
Current Issue: Volume 1, Issue Rectifiers. Significant power is lost while using a half-wave rectifier and
1, May 2024 is not feasible for applications that need a smooth and steady supply. For a
more smooth and steady supply, we use the full wave rectifiers. In this
article, we will be looking into the working and characteristics of a full
wave rectifier. A full wave rectifier is defined as a rectifier that converts
the complete cycle of alternating current into pulsating DC. Unlike
halfwave rectifiers that utilize only the halfwave of the input AC cycle, full
wave rectifiers utilize the full cycle. The lower efficiency of the half wave
rectifier can be overcome by the full wave rectifier.

[Link] Full wave rectifiers have some fundamental

advantages over their half wave rectifier
The full wave rectifier converts both halves of
counterparts. The average (DC) output voltage is
each waveform cycle into pulsating DC signal higher than for half wave, the output of the full
using four rectification diodes. While this method wave rectifier has much less ripple than that of the
may be suitable for low power applications it is half wave rectifier producing a smoother output
unsuitable to applications which need a “steady
waveform.
and smooth” DC supply voltage. One method to
improve on this is to use every half-cycle of the [Link] of Full Wave Rectifier
input voltage instead of every other half-cycle.
The input AC supplied to the full wave rectifier is
The circuit which allows us to do this is called a
very high. The step-down transformer in the
Full Wave Rectifier. You can read our article on
rectifier circuit converts the high voltage AC into
bridge rectifier to learn the construction and
low voltage AC. The anode of the center tapped
working of bridge rectifier in detail. Like the half
diodes is connected to the transformer’s secondary
wave circuit, a full wave rectifier circuit produces
winding and connected to the load resistor.
an output voltage or current which is purely DC
or has some specified DC component.

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During the positive half cycle of the alternating

current, the top half of the secondary winding
becomes positive while the second half of the
secondary winding becomes negative. During the
positive half cycle, diode D1 is forward biased as
it is connected to the top of the secondary winding
1) Centre-tapped Full Wave Rectifier
while diode D2 is reverse biased as it is connected
to the bottom of the secondary winding. Due to A center-tapped full wave rectifier is a type of
this, diode D1 will conduct acting as a short full-wave rectifier that uses a center-tapped
circuit and D2 will not conduct acting as an open transformer as its input. The transformer has a
circuit. During the negative half cycle, the diode center-tapped secondary winding, with two
D1 is reverse biased and the diode D2 is forward diodes connected to the ends of the winding and
biased because the top half of the secondary the other ends of the diodes connected to the load
circuit becomes negative and the bottom half of resistor.
the circuit becomes positive. Thus, in a full wave
rectifier, DC voltage is obtained for both positive
and negative half cycle.

❖ Working of the Center-tapped Full

Wave Rectifier

Steps of working of the center tapped full wave

rectifier
3. What is the difference between a full wave • During the first half of the AC cycle, the
rectifier and a bridge rectifier? voltage across the upper half of the
A bridge rectifier is a type of full wave rectifier. secondary winding is positive, and the
A full wave rectifier converts the input waveform voltage across the lower half is negative.
to one of constant polarity, as opposed to a half-
wave rectifier which only passes one half cycle • The diode connected to the upper half of
while blocking the other. Another common the winding becomes forward-biased
method of full wave rectification uses two diodes and conducts, allowing the current to
and a center-tapped transformer. flow through the diode and the load
resistor.
4. Types of Full Wave Rectifier

There are two main types of full wave rectifiers:

the center-tapped full-wave rectifier and the • At the same time, the diode connected to
bridge rectifier. the lower half of the winding becomes
reverse-biased and blocks the current
from flowing in that direction.

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• During the second half of the AC cycle, convert an alternating current (AC) input signal
the opposite happens. The voltage across into a direct current (DC) output signal.
the upper half of the winding is negative,
and the voltage across the lower half is
positive.

• The diode connected to the lower half of

the winding becomes forward-biased and
conducts, allowing the current to flow in
❖ Working of the Bridge Rectifier
the opposite direction through the load
resistor. Steps of working of the bridge rectifier

• During the first half of the AC cycle, the

voltage across the upper two diodes is
• At the same time, the diode connected to
positive, while the voltage across the
the upper half of the winding becomes
lower two diodes is negative. The two
reverse-biased and blocks the current
diodes connected to the upper side
from flowing in that direction.
become forward-biased and conduct,
allowing current to flow through the
4.1.1. Advantages of Center-tapped Full Wave diodes and the load resistor.
Rectifier
• At the same time, the two diodes
The main advantage of the center-tapped full-
connected to the lower side become
wave rectifier is that it produces a higher DC
reverse-biased and block the current
output voltage than a half-wave rectifier, while
from flowing in that direction. During the
still being relatively simple and inexpensive. It
second half of the AC cycle, the opposite
also has a lower ripple voltage than a half-wave
happens. The voltage across the lower
rectifier, which can be important for some
two diodes is positive, and the voltage
applications.
across the upper two diodes is negative.
4.1.2. Disadvantages of Center-tapped Full
Wave Rectifier • The two diodes connected to the lower
side become forward-biased and
There are also some disadvantages to using a
conduct, allowing the current to flow in
center-tapped full-wave rectifier. One is that it
the opposite direction through the load
requires a center-tapped transformer, which can
resistor.
be more expensive and difficult to find than a
regular transformer. Additionally, it can waste
• At the same time, the two diodes
power since only half of the secondary winding is
connected to the upper side become
being used at any given time.
reverse-biased and block the current
2) Bridge Rectifier from flowing in that direction.

A bridge rectifier is a type of full-wave rectifier

that uses four diodes in a bridge configuration to

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4.2.1. Advantages of the Bridge Rectifier 5.2. DC Output Voltage:

The main advantage of the bridge rectifier is that Vout = (2 Vrms / π) – 2 Vd

it produces a higher DC output voltage than a
where Vrms is the RMS value of the AC input
half-wave rectifier or a center-tapped full-wave
voltage and Vd is the forward voltage drop across
rectifier. It also has a lower ripple voltage than a
the diodes.
half-wave rectifier, making it suitable for many
electronic applications. Another advantage is that 5.3. RMS Value of Current:
it does not require a center-tapped transformer,
making it more flexible and easier to use in a Irms = Idc / sqrt(2)
variety of applications. where Idc is the DC current flowing through the
4.2.2. Disadvantages of the Bridge Rectifier load resistor.

It requires four diodes, which are more expensive 5.4. Form Factor:
than the two diodes used in a half-wave rectifier Form Factor = Vrms / Vavg
or the two diodes used in a center-tapped full
wave rectifier. It also has a higher peak inverse where Vavg is the average value of the rectified
voltage (PIV) than a half-wave rectifier, which output voltage.
can require a higher voltage rating of diodes in 5.5. Peak Factor:
high-voltage applications.
Peak Factor = Vpeak / Vrms
5. Full Wave Rectifier Formula
5.6. Rectification Efficiency:
The formula for the output voltage of a full wave
rectifier is: Rectification Efficiency = (DC power output / AC
power input) * 100%
Vout = Vpeak / (2 * sqrt(2)) - Vd
6. Advantages of Full Wave Rectifier
where: Here we have the advantages of a full wave
• Vout is the DC output voltage of the rectifier include:
rectifier • Higher average output voltage: A full-
• Vpeak is the peak voltage of the AC input wave rectifier produces a higher average
signal sqrt(2) is the square root of 2, output voltage compared to a half-wave
which is approximately 1.414 rectifier, which makes it more efficient
• Vd is the forward voltage drop across the for many applications.
diodes in the rectifier • Higher rectification efficiency: The full-
5.1. Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV): wave rectifier has a higher rectification
efficiency compared to a half-wave
PIV = Vpeak rectifier, as it uses both halves of the
input signal cycle to produce a DC output
where Vpeak is the peak voltage of the AC input
voltage.
signal.

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• Lower ripple voltage: The full-wave • Higher power loss: The full-wave
rectifier produces a lower ripple voltage rectifier has a higher power loss
compared to a half-wave rectifier, as it compared to a half-wave rectifier, as it
uses both halves of the input signal to has two diodes conducting current at any
produce a smoother DC output voltage. given time, which leads to a higher
voltage drop across the diodes.
• Flexibility: A full-wave rectifier can be
constructed using either a center-tapped • Higher peak inverse voltage (PIV): The
transformer or a bridge rectifier full-wave rectifier has a higher PIV
configuration, making it more flexible compared to a half-wave rectifier, as it
and easier to use in a variety of uses both halves of the input signal cycle
applications. to produce a DC output voltage, which
can result in higher voltage stress on the
• More precise regulation: Full-wave diodes and the transformer.
rectifiers are typically used in voltage
regulation circuits, as they produce a
As mentioned in the first part, the rectifier is a
more stable DC output voltage with less
circuit that converts the AC source to DC with the
ripple, which is important for sensitive
help of diodes. The rectifier circuit can be
electronic circuits.
designed in two ways, one by using two diodes
and the other by making a bridge of four diodes.
• Smaller filter capacitor: A full-wave
rectifier requires a smaller filter capacitor
compared to a half-wave rectifier, as it
produces a smoother DC output voltage
with less ripple. This reduces the size and
cost of the filter capacitor.

6.1. Disadvantages of Full Wave Rectifier

Here we have disadvantages of full wave rectifier

 More expensive: A full-wave rectifier

requires four diodes, which can make it
more expensive than a half-wave rectifier
that only requires two diodes.

 More complex: The full-wave rectifier

circuit is more complex compared to a
half-wave rectifier, as it requires more
diodes and a center-tapped transformer or
a bridge rectifier circuit.

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 Full Wave Rectifier in MATLAB Once the i/p AC voltage is applied throughout the
positive half cycle, then the D1 diode gets
This example shows the operation of a full wave
forward biased and permits flow of current while
rectifier using ideal diodes.
the D2 diode gets reverse biased & blocks the
flow of current. Throughout the above half cycle,
the current in the D1 diode gets the filter and
energizes the capacitor. But, the capacitor
charging will occur just when the voltage which
is applied is superior to the capacitor voltage.
Firstly, the capacitor will not charge, as no
voltage will stay among the capacitor plates. So
when the voltage is switched on, then the
capacitor will get charged immediately.
Throughout this transmission time, the capacitor
gets charged to the highest value of the i/p voltage
supply. The capacitor includes a highest charge at
the quarter waveform in the positive half cycle.
At this end, the voltage supply is equivalent to the
voltage of the capacitor. Once the AC voltage
begins falling & turns into less than the voltage
of the capacitor, after that the capacitor begins
discharging gradually. As the i/p AC voltage
supply gets the negative half-cycle, then the D1
diode gets reverse biased but the D2 diode is
forward biased. Throughout the negative half
cycle, the flow of current in the second diode gets
the filter to charge the capacitor. But, the
capacitor charging occurs simply while the
7. Full Wave Rectifier with Capacitor Filter applied AC voltage is superior to the voltage of
the capacitor. The capacitor in the circuit is not
The main function of full wave rectifier is to
charged fully, so the charging of this does not
convert an AC into DC. As the name implies, this
occur instantly. Once the voltage supply becomes
rectifier rectifies both the half cycles of the i/p AC
superior to the voltage of the capacitor, the
signal, but the DC signal acquired at the o/p still
capacitor gets charging. In both the half cycles,
have some waves. To decrease these waves at the
the flow of current will be in the similar direction
o/p this filter is used. In the full wave rectifier
across the RL load resistor. Thus we acquire
circuit using a capacitor filter, the capacitor C is
either whole positive half cycle otherwise
located across the RL load resistor. The working
negative half cycle. In this case, we can get the
of this rectifier is almost the same as a half wave
total positive half cycle.
rectifier. The only dissimilarity is half wave
rectifier has just one-half cycles (positive or
negative) whereas in full wave rectifier has two
cycles (positive and negative).

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The DC output received from the full wave  C-Filter Full Wave Rectifier in
rectifier still contains some ripples which affect MATLAB
the quality of the signal. So, to filter out these
When full wave rectifier with filter is used,
ripples usually a capacitor is used which is
current on ac sides contains spikes. THD for this
connected in parallel with the connected load.
current is very high. This harmonics needs to be
Now the power supply is turned on and the
eliminated. This can be done using full bridge.
capacitor starts to charge when the Diode D1 is in
Current on ac side of full bridge can be controlled
forward bias that is in the positive half cycle. In
easily. Like the center-tapped transformer full
the negative half cycle, the capacitor starts
wave rectifier, the capacitor in the bridge rectifier
discharging but is not completely discharged.
is connected in parallel with the load. This
The output of the rectifier has both the AC and capacitor is also known as a smoothing capacitor,
DC components and as we know the capacitors as it blocks the DC and allows the AC component
block the direct current. So, all the AC of the signal to pass through it:
components in the rectifier output will pass
through the capacitor, leaving a pure DC signal
for the load:

Here, voltage of output capacitor is measured and

subtracted with reference voltage. This difference
The final waveform for the rectifier output with is passed to PI controller which gives the value of
the capacitor will be: power to be drawn from AC side to maintain the
capacitor voltage. In steady state, this value is
equal to power drawn by DC load. From the value
of power, reference current in phase with input
AC voltage is calcuated whose magnitude
determined by the value of power to be drawn. In
this way, reference current is calculated. This
current is drawn from AC side where current
being controlled by hysteresis band current
controller. In this way, harmonics of current in
AC side can be mitigated.

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Here I have obtained the values based on my calculations: 8. Working principle of full wave
rectifier with filter

A filter is typically employed to give

smooth output from pulsating DC
output of the rectifier. Commonly
capacitors are employed for filtering.
For improving averaging of DC output
this filtering technique are use. The
filters reduced the Ripple voltage also
produce more stable and continuous DC
voltage. This combination of full-wave
rectification and filtering improves the
efficiency and reliability of the DC
power supply.

In a full-wave rectifier both positive and

negative halves of the AC input
waveform are used. This type of filter
with capacitor gives more efficiency for
And the final result which is simulinked in MATLAB is as converting AC to DC compared to a
follows: half-wave rectifier because it utilizes
both halves of AC waveform that
resulting in a smoother DC output with
reduced ripple.

Output voltage:

The voltage across the capacitor helps

to smooth out of the pulsating DC
obtained from the full-wave rectifier.
Here is the output voltage is the sum of
the DC components and reduced ripple
voltage due to the capacitor filter.

Ripple Voltage:

The function of the capacitor filter in a bridge rectifier is the The ripple voltage in full-wave rectifier
same as that of a center-tapped full-wave rectifier, and the with a capacitor is generally lower than
ripple factor for both types is the same. Therefore, the half-wave rectifier with a similar filter.
waveform will be the same once the smoothing capacitor is
connected to the bridge rectifier. It is to be noted that if we
select a capacitor with higher capacitance then the ripple
factor is reduced further but the discharge voltage will be
increased.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, we can say that a full wave rectifier is an important component in many electronic
devices. It is widely used in power supplies and battery chargers because of its ability to convert AC
voltage into DC voltage efficiently and effectively. The two most common types of full wave rectifiers
are the bridge rectifier and the center-tapped rectifier. The bridge rectifier uses four diodes to form a
bridge circuit, while the center-tap rectifier uses a transformer with a center-tapped secondary winding
and two diodes.

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