Why would there be a difference in peak Voltages of a half- and full-wave rectifier circuit?

Question

My teacher told me there should be a difference, but didn't tell me whether it would be higher in the full-wave or half-wave rectifier. He also didn't explain why. I am just working on an assignment a little ahead of time, and he hasn't explained that yet. Does it have something to do with the fact that the full-wave rectifier circuit is going to have 4 diodes as opposed to the 1 diode in the half-wave rectifier?

Answer 1

In theory, the "peak" voltage of the raw rectified signal should be the same in either one. After filtering, obviously, the half-wave rectifier puts out only half the power of a full wave rectifier.

Maybe your teacher misspoke. Ask him what he means.

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I think that this is what he was talking about:

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...An aspect of most rectification is a loss from peak input voltage to the peak output voltage, caused by the threshold voltage of the diodes (around 0.7 V for ordinary diodes and 0.1 V for Schottky diodes). Half wave rectification and full wave rectification using two separate secondaries will have a peak voltage loss of one diode drop. Bridge rectification will have a loss of two diode drops. This may represent significant power loss in very low voltage supplies. In addition, the diodes will not conduct below this voltage, so the circuit is only passing current through for a portion of each half-cycle, causing short segments of zero voltage to appear between each "hump"....

Answer 2

Ideally, a half wave rectifier circuit will provide a peak voltage output equal to a full wave center tap transformer type with no load on the output. Both types will produce the full peak output minus the drop across the singal diode which is conducting at the time. However, once you begin to load the output of the supply, the half-wave supply has to wait twice as long for the next charging cycle to come along. This along with the exponential discharge of the capacitor will result in a greater loss of output voltage under loading conditions. MUCH larger capacitace will be needed to compensate, as well a diode(s) with greater peak current handling. A full wave bridge type rectifier will have the loss of two diode junction drops, but the advantage gained will usually offset this except in very low voltage supplies.

Answer 3

The half-wave rectifier will have a 0.7V higher peak than the full wave rectifier, assuming that the diodes have a 0.7V drop each. In half wave, the current passes through one diode. In full wave, the current passes through two diodes in series. (only two of the four diodes conduct at a time)

Answer 4

A full wave rectifier won't have a "pulsed" output. It will be DC. Plus the RMS value will be higher since you are fully rectifying the AC. Remember RMS? When you put a filter capacitor on the full bridge, your voltage will increase too! And a much quieter circuit.

Answer 5

For safety u need to have diodes with 2.8 the rms voltage to prevent breakdown of your diodes. The major component that affects the output voltage is a capacitor impute filter or an inductor filter.The capacitor will have the highest voltage out.It will be better voltage control . The inductor gives better current control.