Copy of Half wave rectifier with capacitor Filter

A rectifier is a device that converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). It is done by using a diode or a group of diodes. Half wave rectifiers use one diode, while a full wave rectifier uses multiple diodes. If you look at the above circuit, we are giving an alternating current as input. Input voltage is given to a step-down transformer and the resulting reduced output of the transformer is given to the diode ‘D’ and load resistor RL. The output voltage is measured across load resistor R. Explanation: When a single rectifier diode unit is placed in series with the load across an ac supply, it converts alternating voltage into a uni-directional pulsating voltage, using one-half cycle of the applied voltage, the other half cycle being suppressed because it conducts only in one direction. Unless there is an inductance or battery in the circuit, the current will be zero, therefore, for half the time. This is called half-wave rectification. A diode is an electronic device consisting of two elements known as cathode and anode. Since in a diode electrons can flow in one direction only i.e. from the cathode to anode, the diode provides the unilateral conduction necessary for rectification. This is true for diodes of all types-vacuum, gas-filled, crystal or semiconductor, metallic (copper oxide and selenium types) diodes. Semiconductor diodes, because of their inherent advantages are usually used as a rectifying device. However, for very high voltages, vacuum diodes may be employed.