Full wave rectifier basically uses both half cycles of the applied AC voltage and converts an AC voltage into a pulsating DC voltage. In full wave rectification, one diode conducts during one half-cycle while other conducts during the other half cycle of the applied AC voltage. It has some advantages over half wave rectifier like it has high average output DC voltage and has much fewer ripples resulting in the smoother output waveform. In our previous article, we explain Rectifier, half wave rectifier efficiency, diodes, p-n junction etc in detail. In this article, we are going to explain the mathematical expression of an efficiency of Full wave rectifier equation and its applications etc.

Full wave Rectifier Equations:

The efficiency of a full wave rectifier is defined as the ratio of DC power output to the applied input AC power. Therefore, it is given as;

η = DC Power Output / AC power input

(i) Mathematical derivation of Full wave rectifier efficiency:

Let the v = V_m sin θ be the AC voltage to be rectified, r_f be the forward resistance of crystal diode and R_L be the load resistance. The diagram given below shows the input voltage wave and rectified output wave.

The instantaneous value of current is given by the equation:

i = v / (r_f + R_L)

As we know,

v = V_m sin θ

Therefore,

i = V_m sin θ / (r_f + R_L)

When sin θ = 1, then current = maximum. Therefore,

I_m = V_m / (r_f + R_L)

Where,

 i = I_m sin θ

Since output is obtained across R_L , therefore

D.C power output = I_dc² R_L

                                 = *I_av² R_L

Where,

I_av = ʃ (i dθ) / π   ….. (i)

Integrate equation (i) from 0 to π,

 I_av = (1 / π) * ʃ I_m sin θ dθ

     = (I_m / π) * ʃ sin θ dθ

     = (I_m / π) [ – cos θ ]

     = (I_m / π) [ -(-1-1)]

= 2 (I_m / π)

     = (2I_m / π)

Therefore, DC power output is given as,

P_dc = I_dc² R_L = (2I_m / π)² R_L

And AC power input is given as,

P_ac =I_rms² (r_f + R_L)

Where,

** I_rms = √  ʃ (i² dθ) / π ….. (ii)

                     = √ (1 / π) * ʃ I_m² sin² θ dθ

                                  = √ (I_m² / π) * ʃ ( 1- cos 2θ)/ 2  dθ

                                     = √ (I_m² / 2π) * [ ʃ dθ – ʃ cos 2θ dθ ]

                                   = √ (I_m² / 2π) * [[θ] – [sin 2θ / 2]]

                = √ (I_m² / 2π) * [π – 0]

= I_m / √ 2

Therefore, AC power input is given as,

P_ac =I_rms² (r_f + R_L)

      =( I_m / √2)² (r_f + R_L)

As we know,

Rectifier Efficiency (η) = P_dc / P_ac

Put the values of P_dc and P_ac from above equations, therefore,

η =[ (2I_m / π)² * R_L ] / [( I_m / √2)² * (r_f + R_L)]

   = 0.812 R_L / (r_f + R_L)

  = 0.812 / (1+ r_f /R_L)

If r_f is neglected as compared to R_L then the efficiency of the rectifier is maximum. Therefore,

η _max =0.812 = 81.2%

(ii) Calculation of Form Factor and Peak factor:

Form factor:

It is defined as the ratio of RMS value of the output voltage to the average value of the output voltage. Its equation can be given as:

Form Factor = RMS value of the output voltage / average value of the output voltage

= (V_m / √2) / (2 V_m / π) = π / 2 √2

Form Factor = 1.11

Peak Factor:

It is defined as the ratio of the peak value of the output voltage to the RMS value of the output voltage. Its equation can be given as:

Peak factor = Peak value of the output voltage / RMS value of the output voltage

= V_m / (V_m / √2)

Peak Factor = √2

Applications of Full wave Rectifier:

Full wave rectifier is of two types; centre tap and bridge rectifier. Both these rectifiers are used for following purposes depends upon the requirement. Following of full wave rectifier applications are:

• It can be used to detect the amplitude of modulated radio signal.
• It can be used to supply polarised voltage in welding.
• It is mainly used in power supply circuits.

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