Physics Project

AL ALIA INTERNATIONAL
INDIAN
SCHOOL, RIYADH
Physics INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT

To construct a Full Wave Bridge rectifier and show that the (AC) alternating
current is rectified into a direct current (DC)

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CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that I, Anif Mohamed Syed Masood of XIi-A have
satisfactorily completed the Laboratory Record under the
guidance of Mr. JIBIN JOSE [PHYSICS] during the academic year
2024-25 in the practical fulfillment of Physics INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT Examination conducted by C.B.S.E.

Teacher-In-Charge: -_________________

External-Examiner-Name: -_____________
Signature: -____________
Date: -____________

Signature of Principal: -______________

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the accomplishment of this project successfully, many
people have best owned upon me their blessings and the
heart pledged support, this time I am utilizing to thank all
the people who have been concerned with project.

Primarily I would thank God for being able to complete

this project with success. Then I would like to thank my
PRINCIPAL, Mrs. KAVITHA LATHA KADHERISAN and
PHYSICS teacher Mr. JIBIN JOSE, whose valuable
guidance has been the ones that helped me patch this
project and make it full proof success his suggestions and
his instructions has served as the major contributor
towards the completion of the project.

Then I would like to thank my parents and friends who

have helped me with their valuable suggestions and
guidance has been helpful in various phases of the
completion of the project.

CONTENTS

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1. INTRODUCTION
2. THEORY
3. MATERIALS REQUIRED
4. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
5. PROCEDURE
6. WORKING
7.OBSERVATIONS
8.USES
9. BIBLIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION

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A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC),

which periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which
flows in only one direction. The process is known as rectification.

Rectification produces a type of DC that encompasses active voltages

and currents, which are then adjusted into a type of constant voltage
DC, although this varies depending on the currents end-use. The
current is allowed to flow uninterrupted in one direction, and no
current is allowed to flow in the opposite direction.

Physically, rectifiers take a number of forms, including vacuum tube

diodes, mercury-arc valves, copper and selenium oxide rectifiers,
semiconductor diodes, silicon-controlled rectifiers and other silicon-
based semiconductor switches. Rectifier circuits may be single-phase or
multi-phase. Most low power rectifiers for domestic equipment are
single-phase, but three-phase rectification is very important for
industrial applications and for the transmission of energy as DC.

Theory

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Physics Project

In a half wave rectification, either positive or negative half of the AC wave is

passed, while the other half is blocked. Because only one half of the input
waveform reaches the output, it is very inefficient if used for power transfer.

A full wave rectifier is exactly the same as the half wave but allows unidirectional
current through the load during the entire sinusoidal cycle. A full wave rectifier
converts the whole of the input waveform to one of constant polarity at its
output. Let us see our half wave rectifier example and deduce the circuits have
seen that this rectifier circuit consists of two sources which have a phase
difference along the two diodes. When V1 is positive, V2 is negative. Hence the
top diode will be a short and bottom one will be an open. On the other hand,
when Vs1 is negative and Vs2 is positive. The bottom diode will be on and the top
diode will be an open circuit.

A full wave rectifier can be constructed using center tapped transformer, which
gives us two shifted sinusoids so that exactly one of the waveforms is positive at
one time and two diodes. As compared to the half rectifier we use two diodes
instead of one, one of the two diodes remains conduction in both of the half
cycles. At any point in time, only of the diodes are forward biased. This allows for
continuous conduction through load.

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materials required
1. Connecting Wires
2. A plug
3. Single Lead Wire- 2m
4. Three Nuts & Bolts 2-3cm length
5. Circuit Board
6. A Transformer (12V)
7. A Resistor
8. P-N Junction Diodes (4nos)
9. A LED
10.Insulation Tape, Blades, Soldering Wax, Soldering
Lead, Soldering Iron & Sand Paper

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circuit diagram

Procedure
Take the transformer and attach it to one end of the circuit board.
Attach the plug with the wire of desired length and connect it to the
transformer AC In. now, take four diodes and connect the 4 diodes into
a loop. Connect the anode of diode D1 to the anode of D2. Connect the
cathode of D2 to anode of D3. connect the cathode of D3 to anode of
D4 and connect the anode of D4 to cathode of D1. The output of
transformers should be connected to A and C. Now, take two capacitor
and connect its –ve terminal to –ve and +ve terminal to +ve. And
connect both the capacitors to B and D. Connect a resistor and a LED to
the capacitor. Attach wire from the capacitors A B D C and connect it to
the output device.

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Physics Project

Working
When the AC is supplied to the transformer, it steps down the 240V main
supply to 12V. It has a capability of delivering 700mA. The 12 volts AC
appearing across the secondary is the RMS value. The four diodes labelled
D1 to D4 are arranged in “series pairs” with only two diodes conducting
current during each half cycle. The four diodes labelled D1 to D4 are
arranged in “series pairs” with only two diodes conducting current during
each half cycle. During the positive half cycle of the supply, diodes D1 and
D2 conduct in series while diodes D3 and D4 are reverse biased and the
current flows through the load as shown below.

a.) positive half cycle

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During the negative half cycle of the supply, diodes D3 and D4 conduct in series,
but diodes D1 and D2 switch “OFF” as they are now reverse biased. The current
flowing through the load is the same direction as before.

b.) negative half cycle

In subsequent Half cycles of the AC Current the above process are

repeated. In both the half cycles it is clear that current flows
through the resistor in only one direction. Even though the
voltage across load is unidirectional it will still contain a few AC
components. This is filtered and made smooth using a capacitor,
which filters 99% of the AC current. A resistor is then used to
adjust the output voltage. Capacitor also nearly filters all AC
components from supply and resistance is adjusted for the
required output. As this is a simple circuit, two capacitors and one
resistor are being used. The output Direct Current and voltage
light up the LED and other source connected with it.

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Observations
On connecting a voltmeter to the output of bridge circuit 12V
current is coming:

Uses

Most electronic device cannot withstand very high voltage or alternating current
due to its intense high power.
The use of batteries in all devices is not practical as their replacement and
durability is a huge problem as the devise has to be dismantled each time for such
replacement.
So these rectifiers are used in most of the electronic devices like TV‟s, Radios,
Chargers and Lightings etc. The common uses of rectifiers are to supply polarized
voltage for welding, detection of amplitude modulated radio signals.

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Bibliography
1. HELP FROM TEACHERS
2. NCERT TEXTBOOK

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3.WEBSITES
 www.google.com
 www.scribd.com
 www.wikipedia.com

~~~~~~~THANK
YOU~~~~~~~

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