Question

What is a rectifier? With a suitable circuit diagram, describe the action of a full wave rectifier by drawing input and output waveforms.

Answer 1

Rectifier is a device which converts AC in to DC.

During the positive half cycle appearing at $A$, the diode $D_1$ is forward biased, at the same time end $B$ is negative and diode $D_2$ is reverse biased. The diode $D_1$ conducts. A current flow through the load resistor $R_L$ and output appears across $R_L$
During negative half cycle appearing at $A$, the diode $D_1$ is reverse biased. End $B$ is positive and diode $D_2$ is forward biased. The diode $D_2$ conducts. A current flow through $R_L$ in the same direction and output voltage appears across $R_L$