What does "Half Wave Rectification" mean?

Half Wave Rectification is a process where only one half of the AC waveform is allowed to pass through while the other half is blocked, effectively converting only the positive or negative half of the waveform into DC. This means that if you visualize an alternating current (AC) signal, during half of the cycle (either the positive or negative half, depending on the design), the current is converted to direct current (DC), while during the other half, no current flows.

This method is generally used in applications where simpler and cheaper circuits are more acceptable than efficiency. In contrast, full wave rectification would involve converting both halves of the AC waveform to DC, thus providing a more efficient conversion and smoother output. The focus on only one half in half wave rectification results in significant ripple in the output, which is a less smooth and more pulsating form of DC, making it suitable for specific low-power applications.