Batangas State University

College of Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts

EE/CpE Department

Course Code : ECE 408

Course Title : Industrial Electronics

Experiment No. :5
Experiment Title : Full-Wave Rectifiers and Power Supplies
Instructor : Engr. Mirasol C. Dilay

Date Performed : October 26, 2018

Date Submitted : November 9, 2018

Section : EE-4103
Group No. :9
Group Leader : LAVILLA, Rina Celine B.
Member : BONDAD, John Patrick M.
: ROSALES, Allysa Lorraine T.

Presentation : __________

Data & Results : __________

Analysis & Conclusions : __________

___________________________________

TOTAL : __________

Remarks:

______________________________
Instructor’s Signature
I. Objectives
The objective of this experiment is to study the performance and characteristic of full-wave
rectifiers and DC power supplies utilizing Zener Diode as a voltage stabilizing device. The
performance of the full-wave rectifier will be studied and measured as well as that of the Zener
diode.

II. Summary of Procedures

This experiment focused, mainly, on full-wave rectifiers and power supplies and the group
used NI Multisim for the construction and simulation of four circuit diagrams provided by the
instruction manual.

PART 1: MEASUREMENT OF THE DC CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ZENER DIODE

The students set first the dc voltage of power supply to 0V. Then the Zener diode circuit
was connected as shown in figure 5. After that, dc supply voltage was changed in small steps and
the Vin, VR, and VD was measured using a digital voltmeter as defined in figure 5 then the
measurements were tabulated. For each step, the dc current through the diode which is equal to
(VR/2000) was calculated. Lastly, polarity of dc power supply was reversed, and the measurements
was repeated.

Figure 1. Connection Diagram for Measuring the DC Characteristic of the Zener Diode
PART 2: CHARACTERISTIC OF THE BRIDGE RECTIFIER
The group connected the full wave rectifier circuit in which load resistance and did not
connected any capacitor across the load. After that monitor the Vo on the oscilloscope and make
sure that do not monitor Vs and Vo on oscilloscope simultaneously. The group measured the peak
input and peak output voltage and with the use of digital multimeter measured the DC voltage
across RL. The 47uF connected across RL and after connecting the capacitor the Vo monitored in
oscilloscope and the group captured the waveform. The group repeated the measurement with the
10uF after monitoring the two rectified waveforms compared by the different capacitors. Lastly,
the group changed the load resistor to 10kohm and 100kohm and monitored the rectified voltage
at the output and observed the impact of the changed load resistor to the output ripple.

Figure 2. Unfiltered Full-Wave Rectifier using Bridge Connection of the Diodes

PART 3: CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CENTER-TAPPED FULL-WAVE RECTIFIER

First, the necessary measurement on the center tapped transformer was performed to
determine which lead is the center tap. Then the students connect the full-wave rectifier circuit as
shown in figure 7 in which RL =1kilohm, without connecting any capacitor across the load. The
group monitored both Vs and Vo on the oscilloscope simultaneously. The peak output voltages
were measured and waveforms was sketched. They used digital voltmeter to measure the dc
voltage across RL. Lastly, the group connect 47microF across RL then monitored Vs and Vo on
oscilloscope and both waveforms was captured.
 Figure 3. Unfiltered Full-Wave Rectifier Circuit used in the Experiment

PART 4: REGULATED DC POWER SUPPLY

The group calculated the minimum value of Rs using the previous measured rectified Dc
voltage and Zener voltage and it required to protect the Zener diode under the condition when the
load is open circuit. The circuit given is connected by the group and monitored the voltage across
the load using oscilloscope. The group also measured the voltage across R L and Rs and after that
measured the current passing through Zener diode. Disconnected the RL and measured voltage and
current across the Zener diode

Figure 4. Regulated DC Power Supply

III. Data and Results
PART 1: MEASUREMENT OF THE DC CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ZENER DIODE

Table 1. Voltmeter Reading

Vin VR VD IDC
0V 0V 0V 0A
1V 497.386 mV 502.614 mV 0.249 mA
2V 1.469 V 530.782 mV 0.735 mA
3V 2.456 V 541.141 mV 1.228 mA
4V 3.447 V 552.957 mV 1.724 mA
5V 4.44 V 559.542 mV 2.222 mA
6V 5.435 V 564.797 mV 2.718 mA
7V 6.432 V 569.171 mv 3.216 mA

Figure 5. Measured Voltages at an Input Supply of 0 Volts

Figure 6. Measured Voltages at an Input Supply of 1 Volt

Figure 7. Measured Voltages at an Input Supply of 2 Volts

Figure 8. Measured Voltages at an Input Supply of 3 Volts

Figure 9. Measured Voltages at an Input Supply of 4 Volts

Figure 10. Measured Voltages at an Input Supply of 5 Volts

Figure 11. Measured Voltages at an Input Supply of 6 Volts

Figure 12. Measured Voltages at an Input Supply of 7 Volts

 The DC power supply’s polarity has been reversed and the multimeter got the following
values:

Table 2. Voltmeter Reading

Vin VR VD IDC
0V 0V 0V 0A
1V 401.84 µV 999.598 mV 0.201 µA
2V 803.682 µV 1.999 V 0.402 µA
3V 1.206 mV 2.999 V 0.603 µA
4V 1.607 mV 3.998 V 0.804 µA
5V 117.023 mV 4.883 V 0.059 mA
6V 1.702 V 4.928 V 0.851 mA
7V 2.059 V 4/941 V 1.030 mA

Figure 13. Obtained Values having a Voltage Source of 0 Volts

Figure 14. Obtained Values having a Voltage Source of 1 Volts

Figure 15. Obtained Values having a Voltage Source of 2 Volts

Figure 16. Obtained Values having a Voltage Source of 3 Volts

Figure 17. Obtained Values having a Voltage Source of 4 Volts

Figure 18. Obtained Values having a Voltage Source of 5 Volts

Figure 19. Obtained Values having a Voltage Source of 6 Volts

Figure 20. Obtained Values having a Voltage Source of 7 Volts

PART 2: CHARACTERISTIC OF THE BRIDGE RECTIFIER
Table 3. Findings
Characteristic Peak Input Peak Output VDC
RL = 1 kΩ, C = n/a 87.8 V 63.8 V 68.475 V
RL = 1 kΩ, C = 47 µF 88.1 V 27.3 V 101.778 V
RL = 1 kΩ, C = 10 µF 87.9 V 39.9 V 87.665 V
RL = 10 kΩ, C = n/a 87.8 V 63.5 V 68.661 V
RL = 100 kΩ, C = n/a 87.9 V 63.5 V 68.788 V

Figure 21. Voltages for a Connection having Load Resistance of 1 kΩ

Figure 22. Displayed Waveform for a Connection having Load Resistance of 1 kΩ

Figure 23. Voltages for a Connection having Load Resistance of 1 kΩ and Capacitance of 47 µF

Figure 24. Displayed Waveform for a Connection having Load Resistance of 1 kΩ and
Capacitance of 47 µF

Figure 25. Voltages for a Connection having Load Resistance of 1 kΩ and Capacitance of 10 µF
Figure 26. Displayed Waveform for a Connection having Load Resistance of 1 kΩ and
Capacitance of 10 µF

Figure 27. Voltages for a Connection having Load Resistance of 10 kΩ

Figure 28. Displayed Waveform for a Connection having Load Resistance of 10 kΩ

 Figure 29. Voltages for a Connection having Load Resistance of 100 kΩ

Figure 30. Displayed Waveform for a Connection having Load Resistance of 100 kΩ

PART 3: CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CENTER-TAPPED FULL-WAVE RECTIFIER

Table 4. Findings
Characteristic Peak Input Peak Output VDC
RL = 1 kΩ, C = n/a 87.8 V 63.8 V 68.475 V
RL = 1 kΩ, C = 47 µF 88.1 V 27.3 V 101.778 V

Figure 31. Voltages for a Connection having Load Resistance of 1 kΩ

 Figure 32. Displayed Waveform for a Connection having Load Resistance of 1 kΩ

Figure 33. Voltages for a Connection having Load Resistance of 1 kΩ and Capacitance of 47 µF

Figure 34. Displayed Waveform for a Connection having Load Resistance of 1 kΩ and
Capacitance of 47 µF
PART 4: REGULATED DC POWER SUPPLY
Solving the voltage of the Zener diode using the equation provided below.

𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 400𝑚𝑊
𝑉𝑍 = = = 80𝑉
𝐼𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 5𝑚𝐴

Calculating the current flowing through the load resistance

𝑉𝑍 80𝑉
𝐼𝐿 = = = 0.08𝐴
𝑅𝐿 1𝑘Ω

By applying KCL, get the current for RS

𝐼𝑠 = 𝐼𝑍 + 𝐼𝐿 = 0.005 + .08 = 0.085A

Computing the value of RS by KVL

240 − 0.7 − 80
𝑉𝑖𝑛 − 0.7 − 𝐼𝑅𝑆 − 𝑉𝑍 = 0 ; 𝑅𝑆 = = 1874.1176Ω
0.085

Figure 35. Voltages Across RS and RL

Figure 36. Displayed Waveform of the Circuit

 Figure 37. Current and Voltage Obtained without Load Resistance

IV. Analysis of Results

In addition to the questions posted in the lab procedure, do and answer the following:
1. Plot the V-I characteristic of the Zener diode

Figure 38. Zener Diode V-I Characteristics

The above diagram shows the V-I characteristics of the Zener diode behavior. It was
determined that when a voltage is applied across a reversely biased circuit breakdown may
occur. Additionally, increasing the voltage across the diode results to higher temperature due
to the vibration of crystal ions that may lead to the breakdown of the depletion layer located at
the junction of P and N types. These scenarios don’t allow the current to flow across the Zener
diode because reverse bias voltage is set to be greater than a predetermined voltage. In
obtaining a sharp and distinct breakdown voltage, doping must be controlled, and surface
imperfections are avoided. In the V-I characteristics above Vz is referred to as the Zener
voltage and the knee voltage because at this point of the current is very rapid. But when the
diode is connected in forward bias then it acts as normal diode.
 2. What is the value of the forward resistance of the Zener diode?
A diode acts as a conductor when forward biased and offers a very low resistance, but
not reaching 0 ohm, is referred to as forward resistance. This may be classified as static or
dynamic forward resistance. The opposition offered by a diode to the direct current (DC)
flowing forward bias condition is known as its Static Resistance. It is measured by taking the
ratio of DC voltage across the diode to the DC current flowing through it. On the other hand,
the opposition offered by a diode to the changing current (AC) flow I forward bias condition
is known as its Dynamic Forward Resistance. It is measured by a ratio of change in voltage
across the diode to the resulting change in current through it.

3. What is the Zener voltage?

Zener voltage is the amount of voltage specified and is set to be sufficient for the
reverse breakdown condition and allows the diode to conduct in the reverse biased circuit.
Furthermore, it can be referred to as the knee in the reverse bias region of the characteristic
curve of a Zener diode.

V. Conclusions and Recommendations

After the completion of the experiment by Multisim simulation, the students achieved the
stated objectives. It was identified that full-wave rectifiers are highly used than half-wave rectifiers
when improving AC to DC power conversion efficiency. This configuration of a rectifier decreases
the harmonic contents of the waveform and lessens the necessary requirements for the smoothing
filter used to reduce the ripple in the rectified waveform. Through data gathering, the group became
familiar with the voltage stabilizing function of the Zener diode. It was determined that this type
of diode is designed to maintain fixed voltage across the load and has a ‘breakdown’ capacity that
is reliable and non-destructive when used under reversed-bias condition. Furthermore, idea about
full-wave rectifiers and Zener diode create a complete and stabilized power supply in which
transformers are used to step-down the voltage, rectifiers for ac-dc conversion, filter to lessen the
ripples on the waveform and a voltage regulator to set the dc output to a fixed voltage.
The students prepared recommendations to obtain additional knowledge stating a more
defined differences between the bridge connection and center-taped full-wave rectifiers.