Half wave Rectifier-simplest rectifier

A rectifier is nothing but a simple diode or group of diodes which converts the Alternating Current (AC) into Direct Current (DC).

We know that a diode allows electric current in one direction and blocks electric current in another direction. We are using this principle to construct various types of rectifiers.

Rectifiers are classified into different types based on the number of diodes used in the circuit or arrangement of diodes in the circuit. The basic types of rectifiers are: half wave rectifier and full wave rectifier.

A half wave rectifier is a type of rectifier which allows only half cycle (either positive half cycle or negative half cycle) of the input AC signal while the another half cycle is blocked.

Therefore, the half cycle (either positive or negative) of the input signal is wasted.

The rectifier efficiency of a half wave rectifier is 40.6%.