What is a Full Wave Rectifier?
We apply an AC voltage to the input transformer. During the positive half-cycle of the AC voltage, terminal 1 will be positive, centre-tap will be at zero potential, and terminal 2 will be negative potential. this will lead to forwarding bias in diode D1 and cause current to flow through it. During this time, diode D2 is in reverse bias and will block current through it.
During the negative half-cycle of the input AC voltage, terminal 2 will become positive relative to terminal 2 and centre-tap. This will lead to forwarding bias in diode D2 and cause current to flow through it. During this time, diode D1 is in reverse bias and will block current through it.
During the positive cycle, diode D1 conducts, and during the negative cycle, diode D2 conducts and during the positive cycle.
As a result, both half-cycles are allowed to pass through. The average output DC voltage here is almost twice the DC output voltage of a half-wave rectifier.
Output Waveforms