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Half-wave Rectifier<^< Power Supply Circuits | Course Index | Worksheet: Half-wave Rectifier >^>  When semiconductor diodes are used to convert alternating current (a.c.) to direct current (d.c.), they are referred to as rectifiers. The simplest form of rectifier circuit makes use of a single diode and, since it operates on only either positive or negative half-cycles of the supply, it is known as a half-wave rectifier. In the simple half-wave rectifier circuit, mains voltage is applied to the primary of a step-down transformer . The transformer steps down the voltage to a suitably low value (e.g. 6V or 8V) depending upon the turns ratio. Diode, D1, will only allow the secondary current to flow in one direction only. When the anode of the diode is positive with respect to its cathode, the diode will behave rather like a closed switch and positive half-cycles of current will be applied to the load resistor, RL. Conversely, when the anode of the diode is negative with respect to its cathode, the diode will behave like an open switch and no current will be passed on to the load resistor, RL. <^< Power Supply Circuits | Course index | Worksheet: Half-wave Rectifier >^> |