Rectifier circuits

The ripple of the output voltage of various rectifier circuits is measured as a function of the load current strength and the charging capacitance. The characteristics of a voltage stabilizer and of a multiplier are investigated.

Benefits

• Get to know several types of rectifier circuits
• Suitable for vocational classes

Tasks

• Using the half-wave rectifier:

1. To display the output voltage (without charging capacitor) on the oscilloscope.
2. To measure the diode current I_d as a function of the output current strength I_0 (with the charging capacitor).
3. To measure the ripple component U_ACpp of the output voltage as a function of the output current (C=constant).
4. To measure the ripple as a function of the capacitance (I_0=constant).
5. To measure the output voltage U_0 as a function of the input voltage U_i (I_0=0).

• Using the bridge rectifier:

1. To display the output voltage (without charging capacitor) on the oscilloscope.
2. To measure the current I_d through one diode as a function of the output current I_0 (with the charging capacitor).
3. To measure the ripple of the output voltage as a function of the output current (C=constant).
4. To measure the ripple as a function of the capacitance (I_0=constant).
5. To measure the output voltage as a function of the input voltage.

• To measure the voltage U_c at the charging capacitor, and the output voltage of a stabilised voltage source as a function of the input voltage U_i.
• To measure the output voltage of a voltage multiplier circuit as a function of the input voltage.

Learning objectives

• Half-wave rectifier
• Full-wave rectifier
• Graetz rectifier
• Diode and Zener diode
• Avalanche effect
• Charging capacitor
• Ripple
• r.m.s. value
• Internal resistance
• Smoothing factor
• Ripple voltage
• Voltage stabilisation
• Voltage doubling