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HALF-WAVE RECTIFIERS give an output on only one half cycle of the input ac. For this reason,
the pulses of dc are separated by a period of one half cycle of zero potential voltage.
FULL-WAVE RECTIFIERS conduct on both halves of the input ac cycles. As a result, the dc
pulses are not separated from each other. A characteristic of full-wave rectifiers is the use of a center-
tapped, high-voltage secondary. Because of the center tap, the output of the rectifier is limited to one-half
of the input voltage of the high-voltage secondary.
BRIDGE RECTIFIERS are full-wave rectifiers that do not use a center-tapped, high-voltage
secondary. Because of this their dc output voltage is equal to the input voltage from the high-voltage
secondary of the power transformer. Bridge rectifiers use four diodes connected in a bridge network.
Tubes conduct in diagonal pairs to give a full-wave pulsating dc output.
