5L30.12 - Half-Wave, Full-Wave Rectifiers

Code Number:
5L30.12
Demo Title:
Half-Wave, Full-Wave Rectifiers
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
AC/DC Waveforms
Area of Study:
Electricity & Magnetism
Equipment:
Half-Wave Rectifier Unit, Full-Wave Rectifier Unit, Variac, Oscilloscope, Special probes with banana plug ends.
Procedure:

Half-Wave Rectifier: Plug the Variac into the Variac input on the demo board.  Channel 1 of the oscilloscope is plugged into the reference trace sockets.  Channel 2 is then plugged into the sockets that measure across the diode.  Turn up the Variac and observe a half-wave rectification.

NOTE: If desired channel 2 may be inverted by turning on the appropriate switch on the oscilloscope.

Full-Wave Rectifier: Plug the Variac into the Variac input on the demo board. Channel 1 of the oscilloscope is plugged into the reference trace sockets.  Channel 2 is plugged into the sockets that measure across the 2 diode rectifier.  Turn up the Variac and observe the full-wave rectification.

NOTE: These diodes have been carefully chosen because they give a very clean and accurate trace.  Spares have been provided.  DON'T LOSE THEM.

References:
  • Dan Lottis and Herbert Jarger, "LED's in Physics Demos: A Handful of Examples", TPT, Vol. 34, # 3, Mar. 1996, p. 144.
  • A. D. Bulman, "On Rectifiers", Model-Making for Physics, p. 158.
  • H. Richard Crane, "Light Dimmer", How Thing Work ( 1983 - 1995 ), p. 1.
  • Keithley Instruments, Fredrick William Hughes, "Electrical Engineering Experiment # 1: Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR)", Series II.
  • W. Bolton, "Rectification", Book 4 - Electricity, Physics Experiments and Projects, 1968, p. 73-74.
  • Forrest M. Mims III, "Half-Wave Rectifier, Dual Half-Wave Rectifier, Full-Wave Rectifier", Vol. IV - Electronic Formulas, Symbols & Circuits, p. 112.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.