INVESTIGATORY PROJECT ON

Study of AC to DC Converter

SUBMITTED TO
CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION NEW DELHI

ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-2024 BY

PRAMOTH.B

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

(PHYSICS FACULTY)
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

GREEN PARK INTERNATIONAL

SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL
(Affiliated to CBSE, New Delhi, Affiliation No: 1931267)
KADATHUR– DHARMAPURI 635303

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 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Cadet

Has successfully completed the

project Work entitled. STUDY OF AC TO DC CONVERTER In the

subject PHYSICS (042) new laid down in the regulations of CBSE

for the purpose of Practical Examination in Class XII to be held

on_______________.

PGT PHYSICS
Master IC

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Apart from the efforts of me, the success of any project

depends largely on the encouragement and guidelines of many
others. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the
people who have been instrumental in the successful completion
of this project.

I express deep sense of gratitude to almighty God for giving me

strength for the successful completion of the project. I express
my heartfelt gratitude to my parents for constant
encouragement while carrying out this project.
I gratefully acknowledge the contribution of the individuals who
contributed in bringing this project up to this level, who
continues to look after me despite my flaws
I express my deep sense of gratitude to the luminary The
Principal, who has been continuously
motivating and extending their helping hand to us. My sincere
thanks to M.Sc., M.Ed., Master In-charge, A
guide, Mentor all the above a friend, who critically reviewed my
project and helped in solving each and every problem, occurred
during implementation of the project

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 The guidance and support received from all the members
who contributed and who are contributing to this project, was
vital for the success of the project. I am grateful for their constant
support and help.

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 Study of
AC to DC Converter
Author (AU): Sayed Mahmud, Anika Bushra, Tamanna Sumaiya, Hossain Md
Arafat, Rahman Md Asiqur
Address: [email protected]

Abstract: Modern electrical equipment has a low DC output voltage. The

alternating current utility supply must be converted and stepped down to a
sufficient DC voltage. Previously, converters were enormous in size and cost a lot
of money. The discovery of the switch mode power supply enabled a significant
decrease in size and cost. This aim is achieved via increasing power density, which
is accomplished by reducing the size of passive/energy storage components such as
inductors, capacitors, and transformers. For better usage of existing electric energy,
the complete power system should be run at high efficiency, which is why
numerous types of converters are currently used. The research of AC-DC
converters is carried out in this thesis, together with necessary simulations, to
achieve a greater grasp of the issue. As a result, the primary goal of this research is
to thoroughly investigate the working principles and applications of linear power
supply in ac to dc converters.

Keywords: Ac to Dc converter, Full wave rectifier, transformer, PCB layout

that varies from the input. The converters are used

I. Introduction to increase or decrease the magnitude of the input
voltage, invert polarity or produce several output
At present time there is an increasing demand voltages of either the same polarity with the input,
different polarity, or mixed polarities. The
for efficient systems every time we communicate converters are used in nonlinear components. For
approximately electricity consumptions and so as example, the semiconductor switches, and linear
to keep up with those needs engineers were reactive components. There are different types of
coming forward growing efficient conversion linear components such as the inductors,
strategies and additionally been capable of design transformers and capacitors for intermediate
circuits with excessive performance. energy storage as well as current and voltage
Nevertheless, technology on this discipline filtering. The size, weight and cost of the
remains improving with facing new demanding converter are mainly determined by these
situations. Converter in power electronics components. However, power conversion systems
converts power from one type to another by can be classified according to whether the input
means of various the voltage or frequency. Power and output are alternating current (AC) or direct
conversion is based on kind of the input and current (DC) [2,3]. Alternative current (AC) to
output power. Converter driven programs are Direct current (DC) is one of those heavily used
broadly used. The electrical power conversion is conversion in power electronics system. For
an exceptional field of electrical engineering. The instance, a laptop battery adapter is the example
Power electronics is the utilization of solid-state of the AC to DC conversion. Here, adapter „s
gadgets to control of electric power and input current is AC and output current is DC. The
transformation of electric power. It is also reason behind for using the constant DC voltage is
restrictive as it excludes rotating machines that it is free of ripples or unwanted frequencies.
(electrical motor and generator) [1]. Converter The DC circuit is formed in such a way that the
may do one or more functions and give an output rectification and filtering process will be carried

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out properly. If the supply of DC voltage is not authorities, such as IEC 1000, Std 500, and others,
constant, a laptop cannot be charged properly. maintain rigorous harmonics guidelines. This is
The main feature of the rectifier is it must handle due to the requirement for a strong factor and
the output current (load). After that, we connect minimal line current harmonics distortion.
the output of rectifier to the filter. As we know, To change line frequency from ac to dc, a line
filter is nothing but a device, which filters out the frequency diode bridge rectifier is utilized. A
ripples in the unidirectional ac voltage and large filter capacitor is utilized at the rectifier
converts it back to pure dc voltage. There are two output to diminish the ripple in the output voltage.
kinds of filter used in the circuit, inductor and In any case, current drawn by this converter is
capacitor. Capacitors are the widely used filters. peaky by characteristics for the larger capacitor.
But instead of giving less value if we increase the This input current is high in low order harmonics
value of capacitor some circuit, we can get and because of the existence of these harmonics,
voltage greater than or equal to the dc output the aggregate harmonic distortion is high and the
voltage (that must be same of transformer output input control factor is denied. Issues related with
voltage) so that you'll get a pure dc output without these low power factors also, harmonics, utilities
any ripples. Theoretically, it is recommended to will authorize harmonic standards and rules which
use a high voltage capacitor (like 150% of output will constrain the measure of current distortion
voltage) to get less ripple and a smooth graph. We permitted into the utility. It is greatly required to
try to add a couple of capacitors to get our desired accomplishing rectification at near utility power
output dc voltage lesser than the transformer factor and low input current distortion [4].
output voltage, that is why we will connect a
voltage regulator next to the capacitor [3]. We are II. Theory & Methodology
using 230V/50Hz AC supply which connect to AC-DC converters are electrical circuits that
step-down transformer which will step down and transform alternating current (AC) input into
give a DC voltage depending on transformer direct current (DC) output. They are used in
rating that connect rectifier circuit, which power electronic applications where the power
converts from AC to pulsating DC after that input a 50Hz or 60Hz sine-wave AC voltage that
connect Capacitor (filter). Afterwards it converts requires power conversion for a DC output. We
pulsating AC to pure DC. In order to get constant utilize control electronic converters in our day-by-
DC, we need to connect regulator IC - LM7812 day life at home, business work places or in a
that maintains the output voltage at a constant mechanical situation. Converters have become an
value. We are using LM7812 IC, which provides integrated part of industrial electric drives, power
+12 volts regulated power supply. In addition, we supplies and other automobile equipment‟s due to
try to collect the different changing value for high power handling capability with higher
changing the AC voltage and will try to simulate efficiency. Power electronic components such as,
the output waveform. For this purpose, we will Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCRs) [or
use PROTEUS software to get our desired result Thyristor], Triode for Alternating Current
and waveform. (TRIACs), Insulated Gate Bi-polar Transistor
(IGBT) are used for power electronic converters
Background Study to control and change over electric power. The
principle point of the converter is to deliver
The transmission of electric power is in an moulding power regarding a specific application
alternating current (AC) system, with a few [5].
exceptions. With the advancement of alternating
to direct current converters, they are becoming a
recognized and widely used application. As a
result, ac dc converter has recently framed a
functional research domain. The need for DC
power might be supplemental, such as in
electronic controls, or critical, such as the DC
connection of a motor. Meanwhile, governing

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 [7]. Filters are used to smooth down the output
even further.
Some examples of AC-DC converters are:

1) AC/DC converters (off-line) 3ph-Input/3KW

2) AC/DC converter (off-line) as insert unit
3) AC/DC converters (off-line) with 3 outputs,
pen frame
4) AC/DC converters (off-line) as Build-In- Unit
6HE
Fig.1: Block diagram of a power electronic converter. 5) AC/DC converters (rectifier) for Telecom
Application
The block diagram of a power electronic
converter shows that it contains an electrical Basic Principles
energy source, power electronic circuit, a control
circuit and a load circuit. The block diagram of a basic AC-DC converter is
This converter changes one form of electrical given below.
energy to another. Commercially available
voltages are time varying voltages used in large
quantities. Alternating current (AC) is the electric
current which periodically reverses the flow of
direction. Commercially a variable AC wave
forms are Sinusoidal, Square wave, Complex
wave form and Triangular wave [6]. Fig.3: Block diagram of an AC-to-DC converter.

To bias all electronic circuits, a DC power source

is necessary. Depending on the electronic
application, the DC output Vo will typically be in
the 3-24V range. The diode is highly beneficial in
this case since the properties of a silicon diode are
non-linear, which means that current occurs for
one voltage polarity but is zero for the opposite
polarity.
There are several methods for correction. We'll go
through them all afterwards. The simplest power
electronics circuit used in radios for low-cost
Fig.2: Alternating waveforms. power supply is the halfwave rectifier. However,
for most power applications, half wave
We are interested in Sinusoidal ac voltage since it rectification is inadequate. Because the
is encountered and utilized all over the world. The waveform's harmonic richness is so high, filtering
process of converting AC current to DC current is the output is extremely challenging. The essential
also known as rectification. We utilize alternating ideas of this rectifier are fairly simple to grasp.
current in our house, but we cannot always use Let's look at the fundamentals of a half-wave
alternating current everywhere. rectifier.
Sometimes we need to convert this to a direct
current source. That is why correction is required. Half Wave Rectifier
The term "rectifier" refers to an AC to DC
converter. The circuit converts an alternating During each positive half cycle of the sine wave,
current signal to a direct current signal by the diode is forward biased as the anode is
allowing the signal to flow in just one direction positive so the current flows through the diode.
The diode is in reverse biased during the negative

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half cycle which blocks the current flow. This
way all positive half cycle waveforms are made
unidirectional. Using a capacitor parallel to the
load the amount of ripple voltage can be reduced
and a steady current is produced.

Full Wave Rectification

The full wave rectification uses both positive and

negative half cycles of the sine wave. In case of
full wave rectification, two diodes are used of Fig.5: PCB Layout of the circuit
which one conducts during the positive half cycle IV. CREATING THE PCB LAYOUT
and the other conducts during the negative half
cycle. The important point is that the current
through the load flows in the same direction thus Open your PCB Layout in the top icon section,
the output is unidirectional. Turning on a diode and click on the PCB Layout button:
depends on the polarity of the cathode voltage and
turning it off depends on the device current. Three
terminal devices such as Thyristor, BJT and
MOSFET etc. can be used to control the output
voltage. The conversion of AC-DC will take place
when input is an AC supply and the output is a
DC load for example battery charging, DC motor,
electrolysis, electromagnets etc. In designing a
rectifier, two important parameters must be
specified: the current handling capability and the
Fig.6: Creating PCB layout interface
Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV) the diode must
withstand without breakdown. PIV is specified by The footprints associated with each schematic
the manufacturer [8]. symbol will be automatically transferred to the
III. Layout Design PCB editor using auto placer option:

Software: Proteus 8 Professional

There is various way of getting AC to DC voltage

converter. We can use power electronic
converters such as step-down converter, step-up
converter, voltage stabilizer, AC to DC converter,
DC to DC converter, DC to AC converter. Here,
we are doing analysis by using Single Phase
Transformer with Full Bridge Rectifier. Fig.7: PCB layout Manual Routing

Notice the thin blue lines connecting the

components. These are called ratsnest lines.
Ratsnest lines are virtual wires that represent the
connections between components. They show you
where you need to route the traces according to
the wiring connections you created in your
schematic:
Fig.4: Circuit Diagram of AC voltage as input with output
of Full Bridge rectifier.

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 Fig.10: PCB layout (Top Silk)
Fig.8: PCB layout Ratsnest Lines

Now we can start arranging the components,

keeping in mind the design tips mentioned above.
we might want to do some research to find out if
there are any special design requirements for our
circuit. Some circuits perform better with certain
components in specific locations. For example, in
an LM7812 amplifier circuit the power supply
decoupling capacitors need to be placed close to
the chip to reduce noise.
After we‟ve arranged all of the components, it‟s Fig.11: PCB layout (Bottom Copper)
time to start drawing the traces. Use the ratsnest
wires as a rough guide for routing each trace.
V. Hardware Preparation
However, they won‟t always show the best way to
route the traces, so it‟s a good idea to refer back to
your schematic to verify the correct connections. i. Component Selection
Traces can also be routed automatically using the
software‟s auto-router. For complicated circuits, 1. Transformer with 1A 12V Rating
it‟s generally better to route traces manually, but 2. 4 pcs 1N4007 Diodes
try the auto-router on simpler designs and see 3. 470uF & 220uF Electrolytic capacitor.
what it comes up with. We can always adjust 4. LDO or a Linear Voltage Regulator as per
individual traces later. specification (Here LM7812 used).
5. A multi meter to measure the voltage.
Now we have to Click on Output To get the Top
Silk & Bottom Copper Layout print
ii. Complete Hardware

Fig.9: PCB layout Printing options in Proteus

Fig.12: Complete Hardware Visuals (Ac to Dc Converter)

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 VI. Results From the circuit diagram, we can see the input
From the circuit diagram shown in Fig 4, we give from AC voltage coming from transformer and
an AC source where AC voltage is given 220V the output is from DC voltage source. A capacitor
and Frequency is 50Hz. Here, a transformer is C3= 470 µF is attached to store charge. Here we
attached with AC source which will transform use
220v and make it a low voltage AC wave as AC oscilloscope for measuring the graph of AC input
voltage has positive (+Ve) and negative (-Ve) and DC output. We get output of DC voltage=
terminals. Here, after step down to a smaller +12V.
voltage we need to stop polarity changes. To
make electrons pass only in one direction we need
diodes. Here we are using 4 diodes as a bridge so
that a positive and negative cycle will convert into
a positive cycle where lower waves are lifted and
make the wave as one directional. From Fig 14 we
can see the output result of the sinusoidal wave
when attached with a Full Bridge Rectifier.

Fig.15: Simulation Graph of AC voltage as input with

output of DC voltage.

Actually, line voltage is always presented. Filter

capacitor fills those gaps as they don't get
discharge very fast. It‟s smoothly generating DC.
When the first DC wave comes up capacitor get
charged and wave comes to zero instantly but
capacitor discharge slowly, then output line
Fig.13: Simulation Graph of AC voltage as input with voltage is seen. As the capacitors don't get
output of Full Bridge rectifier.
discharge very fast so capacitor fills those gaps
which smoothly generates DC. Now if we want to
make it straighter then we have to add more
voltage regulator. This can be done by a zener
diode also. Zener diode act as same as diode but it
has a condition, limitation at a specific voltage.
Here we are changing ac voltage to get our
desired output. We get our dc voltage 11.95V
Fig.14: Circuit Diagram of AC voltage as input with output when ac voltage is 220V.
of DC voltage

Now, adding capacitor of higher value so that it

can store charge. Here we are using Capacitors
C1=470 µF and C2=220 µF. We can see that AC
voltage come from the transformer as a sinusoidal
wave, after that rectifier flips the negative half
cycle into positive. Then with the help of Table.1: Practical result
capacitor the become smoother. Adding more
capacitor, we can get smoother DC voltage. From
Fig 15. We can see the DC output which is almost
straight with the help of capacitors.

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 rectifier instead of normal diodes attaching or
Zener diode. As we know Zener diode have
limitation so when it reaches to that limitation it
become bi-directional although it doesn‟t need
voltage regulator but it will make bi-directional
wave up to a limit. That is why we used full
bridge rectifier and a voltage regulator to make a
simple conversion. Besides, for better results we
can use a voltage regulator chip or U0001f3a9
like 7805, 7812, 7905, 7912 to obtain a constant
voltage (both positive and negative are possible).
In Bangladesh the supply is 220Volts in 50Hz for
households. We get 11.94V as DC output when
we apply 220V as AC input.

Fig.16: Hardware AC to Dc Converter Output Voltage ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Here, we can see that we get almost our desired We are extremely grateful to our course
12V output voltage. instructor, NUZAT NUARY ALAM Mam, for
So, we can claim that our project is running her capable direction; smart supervision and
properly. motivation that helped us to complete this project.
Without her constant help, this proposition would
Total Cost not have been conceivable.
[Estimated total cost associated with this project is
around 600 Taka]
REFERENCES
Timeline [1] Rashid, M. H.(2008). Power Electronics - Circuits, Devices and
Applications. New Jersey, U.S.A: PearsonEducation.
[2] Sedra, A.S., & Smith, K.C.(2004). Microelectronic Circuits. New
York: Oxford University Press,Inc.
[3] S. Pyakuryal, M. Matin, “Implementation of AC to DC Converters
Using Thyristor in ATP”, IOSR Journal of Engineering (IOSRJEN),
Volume 2, Issue 11, PP 06-11, November 2012.
[4] Boylestad, R., Nashelsky, L.(1998).Electronic Devices and Circuit
Theory.New Jersey, U.S.A:PrenticeHall
[5] Neamen. D.A.(1905). Electronic Circuit Analysis and Design. New
York: Richard d Irwin Inc.
[6] Power Diodes and Rectifiers. Retrieved from
https://www.electronicstutorials.ws/diode/diode_5.html
[7] 4-Different Power Converters. (2015, DECEMBER). Retrieved from
VII. Discussion and Conclusion https://www.electronicshub.org/4-different-power-electronic-
converters/
AC to DC convert by using full bridge rectifier [8] Rectifier Circuits. Retrieved from
with different combination of load and observed https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/semiconductors/chpt-
3/rectifier-circuits/
the DC outcomes through simulations. We also
studied about different types and application of
AC-DC converters, keeping our main focus on
single phase with full bridge rectifier converter
circuits. We gained vast knowledge about
PROTEUS software during the project, where we
carried out all our circuit construction and
simulation respectively. The main function is to
have a good conversion voltage from AC to DC,
for that reason where we are using full bridge

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