Full Wave Bridge Rectifier Operation

The bridge rectifier uses four diodes connected as shown in Figure. When the input cycle is positive as in part (a), diodes D1 and D2 are forward-biased and conduct current in the direction shown. A voltage is developed across RL that looks like the positive half of the input cycle. During this time, diodes D3 and D4 are reverse-biased.

Full Wave Bridge Rectifier Working Animation

(a) During the positive half-cycle of the input, D1 and D2 are forward-biased and conduct current. D3 and D4 are reverse-biased.

Full Wave Bridge Rectifier Animation

(b) During the negative half-cycle of the input, D3 and D4 are forward-biased and conduct current. D1 and D2 are reverse-biased.

When the input cycle is negative as in Figure (b), diodes D3 and D4 are forward-biased and conduct current in the same direction through RL as during the positive half-cycle During the negative half-cycle, D1 and D2 are reverse-biased. A full-wave rectified output voltage appears across RL as a result of this action.

Full Wave Bridge Rectifier Operation

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