Difference Between Half Wave and Full Wave Rectifier

Characteristics	Half Wave Rectifier	Full Wave Rectifier
Definition	The Rectifier that converts only one half Cycle of the input AC supply to DC is called Half Wave Rectifier.	The Rectifier that converts both Halves of the AC input supply Cycle into DC is Called Full Wave Rectifier.
Diodes Used	One	Two/Four
Peak Inverse Voltage(PIV)	PIV=Vm	PIV=2Vm (Centre Tap Rectifier) PIV=Vm (Bridge Rectifier)
DC Output Voltage	V d.c. =Vm /π =0.318Vm	V d.c. =2Vm /π
R.M.S. Current	I rms =Im /2	I rms =I2m / √2
Ripple Factor	1.21	r= 0.48
Efficiency	40.6 %	81.2%

Fig:Showing Half Wave Rectifier



Fig: Showing Full Wave Rectifier