Visualizing AC to DC conversion using half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
A half-wave rectifier allows only one half-cycle of the AC waveform to pass through, blocking the other half-cycle. It uses a single diode and is simple but inefficient, with a high ripple factor in the output.
A full-wave rectifier converts both halves of the AC waveform into pulsating DC. It uses a diode bridge (four diodes) or a center-tapped transformer with two diodes, resulting in higher efficiency and lower ripple compared to half-wave rectifiers.