Comparison Between Half-Wave and Full-Wave Voltage Doublers

Half-Wave Voltage Doubler

• Availability of common point between input and output lines for earthing – Yes, available
• Ripple Content – High
• Ripple Frequency – Supply Frequency
• Voltage Regulation – Poor
• Maximum Voltage Across Each Capacitor – 2 V_{s max}
• PIV Rating Of Each Diode – 2 V_{s max}

Full-Wave Voltage Doubler

• Availability of common point between input and output lines for earthing – No, not available
• Ripple Content – Low
• Ripple Frequency – Twice Supply Frequency
• Voltage Regulation – Better than that of half-wave voltage doubler
• Maximum Voltage Across Each Capacitor – V_{s max}
• PIV Rating Of Each Diode – 2 V_{s max}

It is seen that half-wave or full-wave voltage doubler circuits provide twice the peak voltage of the transformer secondary while requiring no centre-tapped transformer and only 2 V_{s max} PIV rating for diodes.

The advantage of a full-wave voltage doubler over an half-wave voltage doubler is that the output ripple frequency is twice the supply frequency and it is easier to filter high frequency ripples. The drawback of a full-wave voltage doubler is that common ground between input and output is not available.