Half wave rectifier, Half wave rectifier working, Clipping, DC signal, AC Voltage

A half-wave rectifier converts an alternating voltage (such as your wall socket) into a pulsing DC signal. This can be further processed with circuits called 'filters' and 'regulators' to produce a steady DC voltage (such as a battery.) The basic half-wave rectifier is a 'diode'. This is an electrical one-way street that only allows flow in one direction. When the AC voltage is going one direction, the diode allows current flow. When the AC is of the opposite direction, the diode blocks current flow. Since only one half of the full AC signal is allowed to pass, it is called a half-wave rectifier. Using 2 diodes and a center tapped transformer, or 4 diodes arranged in a bridge rectifier circuit, the entire wave can be converted and it is called a full-wave rectifier.

A half wave rectifier is a special case of a clipper. In half wave rectification, either the positive or negative half of the AC wave is passed easily, while the other half is blocked, depending on the polarity of the rectifier. Because only one half of the input waveform reaches the output, it is very inefficient if used for power transfer. Half-wave rectification can be achieved with a single diode in a one phase supply..