Lab 4 : Rectifiers

EE2301: Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab

October 16, 2020

Date Performed: October 9, 2020

Performed by: Mansi Nanavati (EE119BTECH11036)
Instructor: Dr. Oves Mohammed Hussein Badami

1 Introduction
Half-Wave Rectifier: A half wave rectifier is defined as a type of rectifier that only
allows one half-cycle of an AC voltage waveform to pass, blocking the other half-cycle.

Figure 1: Half-Wave Rectifier

Full-Wave Rectifier: A full wave rectifier converts both halves of each cycle of an
alternating wave (AC signal) into pulsating DC signal. There are two types of full-
wave rectifiers: centre-tapped full-wave rectifier and full-wave bridge rectifier. We’ll
be using bridge rectifier.

1
 Figure 2: Full-Wave Rectifier

2 Objective
To use NGSpice and perform the following experiments regarding Rectifiers:
a. Write SPICE scripts to simulate half and full wave rectifiers. Use the rectifier
scripts to perform the half-wave and full-wave rectification simulations with peak
supply voltage of 1 V and 5 V. Comment on the results obtained.

b. From your simulations perform the calculate the following quantities for input
signal, output of the half wave and output of the full wave rectifier. Assume the
cut in voltage of 0.65 V
(a) Ripple frequency
(b) Peak voltage ideal as well as accounting cut-in voltage
(c) Average voltage

3 Experiment 1: Simulating Half-Wave Rectifiers

3.1 Aim
To simulate half-wave rectifier with peak supply voltage of 1V and 5V, and comment on
the results obtained. To calculate ripple frequency, peak voltages, and average voltage
for input signal, output of the half-wave rectifier.

2
3.2 Components
AC supply voltage of 1V and 5V with frequency 100Hz, regular diode and a 2kΩ
resistor.

3.3 Procedure
a. Firstly, to simulate, we must replicate the circuit shown in Figure 1 in terms of
NGSpice script.
b. AC supply voltage lies between nodes 1 and 0 (ground). Diode lies between
nodes 1 and 2. Resistor lies between nodes 2 and 0.
* I n p u t s i g n a l o f 1V and 100Hz i s s u p p l i e d from n o d e s 1 and 0
Vin 1 0 s i n ( 0 1 1 0 0 )
* Diode D1 l i e s b e t w e e n n o d e s 1 and 2 i n f o r w a r d − b i a s
D1 1 2 d i o d e
* R e s i s t o r o f v a l u e 2k ohms l i e s b e t w e e n n o d e s 2 and 0
R1 2 0 2k

c. Model of the diode is specified. Here, we’re using a regular diode.

* The model o f d i o d e i s d e f i n e d , i t ' s a r e g u l a r one .
. model d i o d e D

d. Now we specify the time during which the program will run. Here we specified
time from 0 milli-seconds to 15 milli-seconds.
* D e f i n i n g t h e time d u r a t i o n of t h e program
. t r a n 0 . 2 5 ms 15ms

e. To measure the peak voltage of input and output signals, following commands
are given:
* To m e a s u r e and d i s p l a y t h e p e a k v o l t a g e o f i n p u t s i g n a l
. m e a s u r e t r a n i n p u t p e a k v o l t a g e MAX p a r ( ' V ( 1 ) ' ) from =0ms t o =10ms
* To m e a s u r e and d i s p l a y t h e p e a k v o l t a g e o f o u t p u t s i g n a l
. m e a s u r e t r a n o u t p u t p e a k v o l t a g e MAX p a r ( ' V ( 2 ) ' ) from =0ms t o =10ms

f. To measure the average voltage of input and output signals using NGSpice script,
following commands are given:
* To m e a s u r e and d i s p l a y t h e a v e r a g e v o l t a g e o f i n p u t s i g n a l
. m e a s u r e t r a n i n p u t a v g v o l t a g e AVG p a r ( ' V ( 1 ) ' ) from =0ms t o =5ms
* To m e a s u r e and d i s p l a y t h e a v e r a g e v o l t a g e o f o u t p u t s i g n a l
. m e a s u r e t r a n o u t p u t a v g v o l t a g e AVG p a r ( ' V ( 2 ) ' ) from =0ms t o =10ms

g. Finally to plot the input and output signals against defined set of time, following
commands are given:

3
 * To p l o t t h e i n p u t and o u t p u t s i g n a l s
. control
run
plot v (1) v (2)
. endc
. end

h. On running the program in NGSpice application, Figure 3 (for 1V input) and

Figure 4 (for 5V input) are observed.

Figure 3: Graph for Half-Wave Rectifier with 1V AC input and output signals

Figure 4: Graph for Half-Wave Rectifier with 5V AC input and output signals

4
3.4 Results and Discussion
3.4.1 For 1V input
In Figure 3, the frequency of the output signal is clearly the same as that of input signal,
hence the ripple frequency of the output signal is 100Hz.
Non-ideal case: In Figure 5, peak voltage of input and output signals are observed
to be approximately 1V and 0.38V respectively. The peak voltage is 0.62V less than
input because of the cut-in voltage (which is very close to 0.62V). The output graph
remains zero at certain places in first-half of the cycle due to cut-in voltage; it starts
rising when input voltage is above the cut-in voltage. In Figure 5, we can tell that the
average voltages are 0.64V for input and 7.94 × 10−2 for output. The average voltage
is very less because it is zero at many places in one cycle.
Ideal case: Here, the output graph should be a replication of input in first half of cycle
and 0 for second half of cycle. In this case, the peak voltages for input and output will
be 1V. And the average voltage will be 0.64V (for input) and 0.32V (for output). The
relation between average voltage and peak voltage is:
2Vpeak
For input signal, Vavg = = 0.64V (1)
π
Vpeak
For output signal, Vavg = = 0.32V (2)
π

Figure 5: Average and Peak Voltages of input (1V) and output signals for Half-Wave
Rectifier

3.4.2 For 5V input

In Figure 4, the frequency of the time period of the output signal is half of input signal’s,
hence the ripple frequency of the output signal is double of input signal’s. The ripple
frequency of output is 100Hz.
Non-ideal case: In Figure 5, peak voltage of input and output signals are observed
to be approximately 5V and 4.31V respectively. The peak voltage is 0.69V less than
input because of the cut-in voltage (which is very close to 0.69V). The output graph
remains zero at certain places in first-half of the cycle due to cut-in voltage; it starts
rising when input voltage is above the cut-in voltage. In Figure 5, we can tell that the
average voltages are 3.25V for input and 1.29V for output. The average voltage is very
less because it is zero at many places in one cycle.

5
Ideal case: Here, the output graph should be a replication of input in first half of cycle
and 0 for second half of cycle. In this case, the peak voltages for input and output will
be 5V. And the average voltage will approximately be 3.2V (for input) and 1.6V (for
output). The relation between average voltage and peak voltage is:
2Vpeak
For input signal, Vavg = = 3.2V (3)
π
Vpeak
For output signal, Vavg = = 1.6V (4)
π

Figure 6: Average and Peak Voltages of input (5V) and output signals for Half-Wave
Rectifier

3.5 Conclusion
By this experiment we can conclude that half-wave rectifier for non-ideal case will
result in a suppressed output due to cut-in voltage, while the ideal output will outline the
input for first half cycle and be 0 for remaining half. The values for certain quantities
of non-ideal half-wave rectifier are given below:
Quantity 1V Input 5V Input
Ripple Frequency 100Hz 100Hz
Input Vpeak 1V 5V
Output Vpeak 0.38V 4.31V
Input Vavg 0.64V 3.25V
Output Vavg 7.94 × 10−2 1.29V

4 Experiment 2: Simulating Full-Wave Rectifiers

4.1 Aim
To simulate full-wave rectifier with peak supply voltage of 1V and 5V, and comment on
the results obtained. To calculate ripple frequency, peak voltages, and average voltage
for input signal, output of the full-wave rectifier.

4.2 Components
AC supply voltage of 1V and 5V with frequency 100Hz, 4 regular diode and a 2kΩ
resistor.

6
4.3 Procedure
a. Firstly, to simulate, we must replicate the circuit shown in Figure 1 in terms of
NGSpice script.
b. AC supply voltage lies between nodes 1 and 0 (ground). The four diodes lie
between nodes 2 and 1, 1 and 3, 0 and 3, 2 and 0 respectively. Resistor lies
between nodes 2 and 3.
* I n p u t s i g n a l o f 1V and 100Hz i s s u p p l i e d from n o d e s 1 and 0
Vin 1 0 s i n ( 0 1 1 0 0 )
* Diode D1 l i e s b e t w e e n n o d e s 2 and 1 i n f o r w a r d − b i a s
D1 2 1 d i o d e
* Diode D2 l i e s b e t w e e n n o d e s 1 and 3 i n f o r w a r d − b i a s
D2 1 3 d i o d e
* Diode D3 l i e s b e t w e e n n o d e s 0 and 3 i n f o r w a r d − b i a s
D3 0 3 d i o d e
* Diode D4 l i e s b e t w e e n n o d e s 2 and 0 i n f o r w a r d − b i a s
D4 2 0 d i o d e
* R e s i s t o r o f v a l u e 2k ohms l i e s b e t w e e n n o d e s 2 and 3
R1 2 3 2k

c. Model of the diode is specified. Here, we’re using regular diodes.

d. Now we specify the time during which the program will run. Here we specified
time from milli-seconds to milli-seconds.
* D e f i n i n g t h e time d u r a t i o n of t h e program
. t r a n 0 . 2 5 ms 15ms

e. To measure the peak voltage of input and output signals, following commands
are given:
* To m e a s u r e and d i s p l a y t h e p e a k v o l t a g e o f i n p u t s i g n a l
. m e a s u r e t r a n i n p u t p e a k v o l t a g e MAX p a r ( ' V ( 1 ) ' ) from =0ms t o =10ms
* To m e a s u r e and d i s p l a y t h e p e a k v o l t a g e o f o u t p u t s i g n a l
. m e a s u r e t r a n o u t p u t p e a k v o l t a g e MAX p a r ( ' V ( 3 , 2 ) ' ) from =0ms t o =10ms

f. To measure the average voltage of input signal and output signal (which is a
difference between voltages at nodes 3 and 2) using NGSpice script, following
commands are given:
* To m e a s u r e and d i s p l a y t h e a v e r a g e v o l t a g e o f i n p u t s i g n a l
. m e a s u r e t r a n i n p u t a v g v o l t a g e AVG p a r ( ' V ( 1 ) ' ) from =0ms t o =5ms
* To m e a s u r e and d i s p l a y t h e a v e r a g e v o l t a g e o f o u t p u t s i g n a l
. m e a s u r e t r a n o u t p u t a v g v o l t a g e AVG p a r ( ' V ( 3 , 2 ) ' ) from =0ms t o =10ms

g. Finally to plot the input and output signals against defined set of time, following
commands are given:

7
 * To p l o t t h e i n p u t and o u t p u t s i g n a l s
. control
run
plot v (1) v (3 ,2)
. endc
. end

h. On running the program in NGSpice application, Figure 7 (for 1V input) and

Figure 8 (for 5V input) are observed.

Figure 7: Graph for Full-Wave Rectifier with 1V AC input and output signals

Figure 8: Graph for Full-Wave Rectifier with 5V AC input and output signals

8
4.4 Results and Discussion
4.4.1 For 1V input
In Figure 7, the output signal turns out to be a flat line, so it is impossible to gauge the
frequency of the signal. Ideally, the ripple frequency should be 200Hz, which is twice
the frequency of input signal.
Non-ideal case: In Figure 9, peak voltage of input and output signals are observed to
be approximately 1V and 4.34 × 10−3 V (approximately 0) respectively. The average
voltages are 0.64V for input and 8.63 × 10−4 V for output. The reason for extremely
low voltage values and a flat graph is that the effective cut-in voltage is slightly higher
than 1V. The effective cut-in voltage will be higher than 0.65V in full-wave rectifier
as the input voltage will be distributed over more than 1 diode and a resistor, hence
overall cut-in voltage turns out to be a little more than 1V. This implies that a full-wave
rectifier with regular diodes is not suitable for input signals with voltages less than or
equal to 1V.
Ideal case: Here, the output graph should be an exact replication of input in first half
of cycle and positive replication in second half of cycle. In this case, the peak voltages
for input and output will be 1V. And the average voltage will approximately be 0.64V
(for input and output). The relation between average voltage and peak voltage is:
2Vpeak
For input and output signals, Vavg = = 0.64V (5)
π

Figure 9: Average and Peak Voltages of input (1V) and output signals for Full-Wave
Rectifier

4.4.2 For 5V input

In Figure 8, the frequency of the time period of the output signal is half of input signal’s,
hence the ripple frequency of the output signal is double of input signal’s. The ripple
frequency of output is 200Hz.
Non-ideal case: In Figure 10, peak voltage of input and output signals are observed
to be approximately 5V and 3.65V respectively. The effective cut-in voltage will be
higher than 0.65V in full-wave rectifier as the input voltage will be distributed over
more than 1 diode and a resistor, hence the peak voltage turns out to be approximately
1V less than input peak voltage. The output graph remains zero at the beginning and
end of each cycle due to the effective cut-in voltage. In Figure 10, the average voltages

9
are 3.25V for input and 2V for output. The average voltage is less because it is zero at
some places in one cycle.
Ideal case: Here, the output graph should be an exact replication of input in first half
of cycle and positive replication in second half of cycle. In this case, the peak voltages
for input and output will be 5V. And the average voltage will approximately be 3.2V
(for input and output). The relation between average voltage and peak voltage is:
2Vpeak
For input and output signals, Vavg = = 3.2V (6)
π

Figure 10: Average and Peak Voltages of input (5V) and output signals for Full-Wave
Rectifier

4.5 Conclusion
By this experiment we can conclude that full-wave rectifier for non-ideal case will
result in a suppressed output due to the effective cut-in voltage, while the ideal output
will outline the first half of input and take mirror image across X-axis for the second
half. The output peak and average voltages in non-ideal cases of full-wave rectifier
are lesser than that of half-wave rectifier due to the effective cut-in voltage. Thus this
rectifier is not suitable for very low voltages. The values for certain quantities of non-
ideal full-wave rectifier are given below:
Quantity 1V Input 5V Input
Ripple Frequency 200Hz 200Hz
Input Vpeak 1V 5V
Output Vpeak 4.34 × 10−3 V 3.65V
Input Vavg 0.64V 3.25V
Output Vavg 8.63 × 10−4 V 2V

10