Half-Wave Rectifier DC Output

Formula

Description

A half-wave rectifier passes only one half of each AC cycle, so its average (DC) output is the peak voltage divided by π—about 32% of the peak. The other half-cycle is blocked, leaving large gaps that require heavy filtering. Half-wave rectification is simple and cheap but inefficient, with high ripple and poor transformer utilisation; it is used only for low-current, noncritical supplies.

Variables

• Vdc — Average DC output voltage (V)
• Vpeak — Peak of the rectified AC (V)

Practical Notes

The ripple frequency equals the line frequency (50/60 Hz), making smoothing harder than full-wave. Add the diode drop: the true peak at the load is Vpeak − Vf.