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Junction Diode as a Rectifier : The process of conversion of an ac voltage into a dc voltage is called rectification and the device which performs this conversion is called a rectifier. The characteristics of a p-n junction diode reveal that when a p-n junction diode is forward biased, it offers a low resistance and when it is reverse biased, it offers a high resistance. Hence, a p-n junction diode conducts only when it is forward biased. This property of a p-n junction diode makes it suitable for its use as a rectifier. Thus, when an ac voltage is applied across a p-n junction, it conducts only during those alternate half cycles for which it is forward biased. A rectifier which rectifies only half cycle of an ac voltage is called a half-wave rectifier and one that rectifies both the half cycles is known as a full-wave rectifier.
With the help of a circuit diagram, explain the working of a p-n junction diode as a full wave rectifier. Draw its input and output waveforms.
Draw the circuit diagram of a p-n junction diode in (i) forward biasing and (ii) reverse biasing. Also draw its I-V characteristics in the two cases.
Explain the characteristics of a p-n junction diode that makes it suitable for its use as a rectifier.
With the help of a circuit diagram, explain the working of a full wave rectifier.
The process of converting ac into dc is called rectification and the device used is called a rectifier. When ac signal is fed to a junction diode during positive half cycle, the diode is forward biased and current flows through it. During the negative half cycle, the diode is reverse biased and it does not conduct. Thus the ac signal is rectified. The p-n junction diodes can be used as half-wave and full-wave rectifiers.
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