Draw a circuit diagram of a full-wave rectifier. Explain its working principle. Draw the input/output wave forms indicating clearly the function of the two diode used.

Explanation

Electric circuit : The alternating voltage to be rectified is applied across the primary coil `(P_(1)P_(2))` of a transformer with a centretapped secondary coil `(S_(1)S_(2))`. The terminals `S_(1)`and `S_(2)` of the secondary are connected to the p-regions of two junction diodes `D_(1)` and `D_(2)`, respectively. The centre-tap T is connected to the ground. The load resistance `R_(L)` is connected across the common n-regions and the ground.
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n Working : A full-wave rectifier rectifies both halves of each cycle of an alternating voltage.
during one half cycle of the input, terminal `S_(1)` of the secondary is positive while `S_(2)` is negative with respect to the ground (the centre-tap T). During this half cycle, diode `D_(1)` is forward-based and conducts, while diode `D_(2)` is reversed based and does not conduct. The direction of current `I_(L)` through `R_(L)` is in the sense shown.
During the next half cycle of the input voltage, `S_(2)` becomes positive while `S_(1)` becomes negative with respect to T. Diode `D_(2)` now conducts sending the input. This is called full-wave rectification.
The output voltage has a fixed polarity but varies periodically with time between zero and maximum. Fig. 2 shows the input and output voltage waveforms.