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In the construction of a full wave rectifier, why is there central tapping in the secondary winding of the power transformer? What's the pure reason behind it? If there was no central tapping, what would be the change?

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  • $\begingroup$ but I'm not satisfied with that answer. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 19, 2013 at 18:22
  • $\begingroup$ If you are not satisfied with an answer, please do not re-ask the same question. There are other ways to bring attention to a question. E.g. a bounty. $\endgroup$
    – Qmechanic
    Commented Mar 19, 2013 at 20:02
  • $\begingroup$ Cross-posted from electronics.stackexchange.com/q/61499 $\endgroup$
    – Qmechanic
    Commented Mar 19, 2013 at 21:35
  • $\begingroup$ @Qmechanic OK I didn't know that! Sorry! $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 20, 2013 at 9:54

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if there was no central tapping, what would be the change?

Consider this circuit diagram, from the answer you're not satisfied with:

enter image description here

There is no "central tapping" so the two diodes are connected in series. In a series connected circuit, the current through each circuit element is identical.

Now, note that D1 allows only a clockwise current while D2 allows only a counter-clockwise circuit. The only solution that satisfies both constraints is zero current.

So, without the center-tap, there is zero current in the secondary circuit and thus, by Ohm's Law, zero voltage across the resistor R.

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