Half-wave rectifier

Half-wave rectifier

This is the simplest structure (Fig. 2). Only one diode is placed at the secondary of the transformer.

Figure 3 shows the waveforms of the voltage at the secondary and of the current in the load. Since the load is a resistance, the voltage on the load is proportional to the current.

It is quite evident why this type of rectifier is called half-wave: the rectification process occurs only during half-periods. It is also called single-way because the load current iL(t) always circulates in the secondary winding in the same direction