Half-Wave Rectifier with Smoothing Capacitor: Circuit, Measurements and Online Simulator

To build this Half-Wave Rectifier with Smoothing Capacitor circuit you need a function generator, an oscilloscope, a digital multimeter, a 1N4007 diode, a 470 µF electrolytic capacitor and a 1 kΩ resistor. A 50 Hz, 20 Vpp sine through a 1N4007 into 470 µF and a 1 kΩ load: the scope shows the ripple, the multimeter the DC it averages to. Make the 10 connections in the wiring table, press Run, and and watch CH2 ride below the peaks of CH1, and the multimeter settle near 7 V. Swap C for 47 µ: the ripple grows. Remove the capacitor to see bare half-waves.

Open this circuit in the free Electronics bench simulator

Parts list

Qty	Part	What it does
1	Function Generator	Sine, square, triangle or sawtooth from 1 Hz to 100 kHz, into a 50 Ω output. COM is earth. Watch it on the oscilloscope.
1	Oscilloscope	Two channels against earth (GND). Turn TIME/DIV and VOLTS/DIV to fit the wave, set the trigger level to steady it, and read Vpp, RMS and frequency. X-Y mode draws Lissajous figures. Choose a digital (DSO) or phosphor (CRO) screen.
1	Digital Multimeter	Turn the dial: V (across a part, COM and V), A (in series, COM and A), Ω / continuity / diode (on an unpowered part), Hz. The A range has a 10 A fuse — put it across a supply and it blows.
1	1N4007 diode	Conducts from A (anode) to K (cathode, the striped end) once about 0.7 V is across it; blocks the other way.
1	470 µF electrolytic capacitor	A large, polarised capacitor for smoothing supplies: the stripe marks − . Reverse it, or exceed its voltage rating, and it fails.
1	1 kΩ resistor	Limits current. 220 Ω in series with an LED; 10 kΩ as a pull-up or pull-down.

Wiring

#	From	To
1	Function Generator OUT	1N4007 diode A
2	1N4007 diode K	470 µF electrolytic capacitor +
3	470 µF electrolytic capacitor +	1 kΩ resistor leg 1
4	1 kΩ resistor leg 2	470 µF electrolytic capacitor -
5	470 µF electrolytic capacitor -	Function Generator COM
6	Function Generator OUT	Oscilloscope CH1
7	470 µF electrolytic capacitor +	Oscilloscope CH2
8	Function Generator COM	Oscilloscope GND
9	470 µF electrolytic capacitor +	Digital Multimeter V
10	470 µF electrolytic capacitor -	Digital Multimeter COM

Step by step

Open the electronics bench. Open the BitForBytes Embedded Lab in your browser. A circuit with no microcontroller runs on the analog bench: no install or account is needed.
Add the parts. Add a function generator, an oscilloscope, a digital multimeter, a 1N4007 diode, a 470 µF electrolytic capacitor and a 1 kΩ resistor from the parts palette (Instruments, Power, Passive and Semiconductors).
Wire 1. Connect Function Generator OUT to 1N4007 diode A.
Wire 2. Connect 1N4007 diode K to 470 µF electrolytic capacitor +.
Wire 3. Connect 470 µF electrolytic capacitor + to 1 kΩ resistor leg 1.
Wire 4. Connect 1 kΩ resistor leg 2 to 470 µF electrolytic capacitor -.
Wire 5. Connect 470 µF electrolytic capacitor - to Function Generator COM.
Wire 6. Connect Function Generator OUT to Oscilloscope CH1.
Wire 7. Connect 470 µF electrolytic capacitor + to Oscilloscope CH2.
Wire 8. Connect Function Generator COM to Oscilloscope GND.
Wire 9. Connect 470 µF electrolytic capacitor + to Digital Multimeter V.
Wire 10. Connect 470 µF electrolytic capacitor - to Digital Multimeter COM.
Run and measure. Press Run and watch CH2 ride below the peaks of CH1, and the multimeter settle near 7 V. Swap C for 47 µ: the ripple grows. Remove the capacitor to see bare half-waves.

Lab sheet

// Electronics bench: half-wave rectifier
//
// Generator: sine, 50 Hz, 20 Vpp (±10 V peak). Diode 1N4007, 470 µF, 1 kΩ load.
// The diode passes only the positive half; the capacitor holds the peak
// (≈ 10 V − 0.7 V) between cycles and the load drains it a little: the ripple.
//
// Ideal: the peak is 10 V − 0.7 V ≈ 9.3 V, ripple ≈ I / (f · C) ≈ 0.4 V.
// Real: the generator has a 50 Ω output. The capacitor only charges in short,
// heavy pulses at each peak, and those pulses drop volts across the 50 Ω, so
// the output settles lower — about 7 V here. A real transformer has the same
// effect (its winding resistance): measure it, do not assume it.

What to try

Press Run and watch CH2 ride below the peaks of CH1, and the multimeter settle near 7 V. Swap C for 47 µ: the ripple grows. Remove the capacitor to see bare half-waves.

Frequently asked questions

How do I wire the Half-Wave Rectifier with Smoothing Capacitor circuit?

Make 10 connections: Function Generator OUT to 1N4007 diode A; 1N4007 diode K to 470 µF electrolytic capacitor +; 470 µF electrolytic capacitor + to 1 kΩ resistor leg 1; 1 kΩ resistor leg 2 to 470 µF electrolytic capacitor -; 470 µF electrolytic capacitor - to Function Generator COM; Function Generator OUT to Oscilloscope CH1; 470 µF electrolytic capacitor + to Oscilloscope CH2; Function Generator COM to Oscilloscope GND; 470 µF electrolytic capacitor + to Digital Multimeter V; 470 µF electrolytic capacitor - to Digital Multimeter COM.

What parts do I need for the Half-Wave Rectifier with Smoothing Capacitor?

A function generator, an oscilloscope, a digital multimeter, a 1N4007 diode, a 470 µF electrolytic capacitor and a 1 kΩ resistor.

Can I simulate the Half-Wave Rectifier with Smoothing Capacitor online for free?

Yes. The BitForBytes Embedded Lab solves the circuit in time, the way SPICE does (nodal analysis with real diode, transistor and capacitor models), and gives you a bench power supply, function generator, oscilloscope and multimeter to measure it — free, in the browser.

What does this circuit show?

A 50 Hz, 20 Vpp sine through a 1N4007 into 470 µF and a 1 kΩ load: the scope shows the ripple, the multimeter the DC it averages to.