RRB JE CBT2 : EXPERT
20 Jun

Comparison: Half-Wave vs Full-Wave Centre-Tapped vs Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier

ParameterHalf-Wave Rectifier (HWR)Full-Wave Centre-Tapped (FWCT)Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier (FWBR)
Number of Diodes124
Transformer TypeOrdinaryCentre-TappedOrdinary
Centre Tap RequiredNoYesNo
AC Cycle UtilizedOne Half-CycleBoth Half-CyclesBoth Half-Cycles
DC Output Voltage (Vdc)Vm/π2Vm/π2Vm/π
DC Output Current (Idc)Im/π2Im/π2Im/π
RMS Output VoltageVm/2Vm/√2Vm/√2
RMS Output CurrentIm/2Im/√2Im/√2
Rectification Efficiency (η)40.6%81.2%81.2%
Ripple Factor (γ)1.210.4820.482
Form Factor1.571.111.11
Ripple Frequencyf2f2f
PIV per DiodeVm2VmVm
Transformer Utilization Factor (TUF)0.2870.6930.812
Filtering RequirementHighModerateModerate
Output QualityPoorGoodGood
Circuit ComplexitySimpleMediumMedium
CostLowestHigherModerate
Power LossHighLowSlightly More (2 diodes conduct)
Transformer SizeSmallLargeSmaller than FWCT
Practical UseSmall Power SuppliesTraditional DC SuppliesMost Modern Power Supplies

Most Important Exam Values

ParameterHWRFWCTFWBR
ηmax40.6%81.2%81.2%
Ripple Factor1.210.4820.482
TUF0.2870.6930.812
PIVVm2VmVm
Ripple Frequencyf2f2f
No. of Diodes124

Advantages

Half-Wave Rectifier

  • Simple circuit
  • Cheapest
  • Only one diode

Full-Wave Centre-Tapped

  • Higher efficiency
  • Better DC output
  • Less ripple

Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier

  • No centre-tapped transformer required
  • Best TUF (0.812)
  • Lower PIV requirement
  • Most widely used in power supplies

RRB JE / SSC JE / GATE One-Liner

  • Highest Efficiency: FWCT = FWBR = 81.2%
  • Highest Ripple Factor: HWR = 1.21
  • Lowest Ripple Factor: FWCT = FWBR = 0.482
  • Highest TUF: Bridge Rectifier = 0.812
  • Highest PIV: Centre-Tapped Rectifier = 2Vm
  • Most Commonly Used: Bridge Rectifier
  • Only Rectifier requiring Centre-Tap: Full-Wave Centre-Tapped Rectifier
  • Only One Diode Used: Half-Wave Rectifier
  • Four Diodes Used: Bridge Rectifier

Memory Trick

Efficiency: 40.6 → 81.2 → 81.2

Ripple Factor: 1.21 → 0.482 → 0.482

TUF: 0.287 → 0.693 → 0.812

PIV: Vm → 2Vm → Vm

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