Experiment Manual
Experiment No. 3
Objective:
RECTIFIER CIRCUITS
Explore the operation of Rectifier Circuits.
NOTE: We will use the signal generator as the “AC Supply Source”.
Oscilloscope vertical amplifiers shall be in DC coupling since the DC level is important in
the measurements. (And some signals are not sine waves.)
Part I. Half Wave Rectifier
A. Simple Rectifier
1. Assemble the circuit of a simple halve wave rectifier. See Fig. 3.1.
2. Adjust the signal source for 60 Hz and 10Vp-p.
3. Observe and Sketch the input and the output voltages (Vin and Vout). Is the output
the expected one?
4. Measure the DC Voltage at the input and output of the rectifier circuit. Use the
multimeter for this measurement.
5. Is the circuit functioning correctly? Comment.
B. Half-Wave Rectifier with Capacitive Filter.
1. Add a Capacitor in parallel with the load as a “Filter capacitor”. (Use a 1 Microfarad
Capacitor). See Fig. 3.2
2. Repeat Steps A. 2, 3, and 4 above.
3. Replace the Capacitor with a 10 Microfarads (or more) Capacitor
C. Bridge Rectifier
1. Rewire your circuit as bridge rectifier. See Fig. 3.3
Repeat Steps A. 2, 3, and 4 above1.
D. Bridge Rectifier with capacitor Filter. See Fig. 3.4
1. Repeat Steps B. 1, 2, 3, and 4 above1.
1 Note: To observe the output with the Oscilloscope you will need to isolate the common grounds (Scope and Signal
Source) or use the Scope in the in a differential measurement mode (channel 1 minus channel 2) to obtain voltage
across load resistor.
Written and Prepared by José L. Colón-Díaz and Gustavo A. Chaparro-Baquero
Revised and Updated Yazan Hijazi
August 2009
Experiment Manual
Fig. 3.1
Fig. 3.2
Fig. 3.3
Fig. 3.4
Written and Prepared by José L. Colón-Díaz and Gustavo A. Chaparro-Baquero
Revised and Updated Yazan Hijazi
August 2009