Question

interpretation of results on convert AC signal to DC signal using half wave rectifier​

Answer 1

Answer:

Since an AC circuit varies its voltage between a positive and negative value—for our example, we’ll use the 60Hz 120VAC value seen in the US— eliminating the negative or positive half of this electrical wave would leave you with a somewhat choppy source of DC power. You can accomplish this transfer method using a single diode, which only allows current flow in only one direction.

Let’s dig deeper into this AC to DC conversion.

Notice that “120VAC” is the root mean squared (RMS) power value, which is a more practical reading of the sinusoidally-varying mains power source’s 170 and -170-volt peaks.

If you cut off the max -170V part of the waveform, you’re left with power that builds up to +170VDC, decreases to 0V, then stays there for 1/120th of a second (since a full AC power cycle takes 1/60th of a second) before building up to 170 again.

This type of conversion causes a significant reduction in power output. Theoretically, this works out to be 40.6 percent of the AC input. In reality, this number would be lower due to the inevitable loss of efficiency that comes with conversion.

Besides lower average power, the potential drawback to this type of conversion is that the converted electricity comes in intermittent pulses. One interesting application of this conversion method takes advantage of this limitation: a simple AC light bulb dimmer. The light can stay illuminated but appears dimmer to human eyes because of the short gaps in electricity flow.