Question

Which of this is a half-wave rectifier circuit?

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

In a half-wave rectifier, the secondary of a transformer supplies the desired $AC$ voltage across terminals $A$ and $B$. When the voltage at $A$ is positive, the diode is forward biased and it conducts. When $A$ is negative, the diode is reverse biased and it does not conduct.
The reverse saturation current of a diode is negligible and can be considered equal to zero for practical purposes.