Full-wave rectification is a circuit for rectifying alternating current. In this rectifier circuit, in one half cycle, the current flows through one rectifier device, and in the other half cycle, the current flows through the second rectifier device. The connection of the two rectifier devices can make the current flowing through them flow through the load in the same direction.

Half-wave rectification is a common circuit, which uses the unidirectional conduction characteristics of diodes to rectify. Rectification methods other than half-cycle and the second half-cycle in the figure are called half-wave rectification. The function is to convert alternating current into direct current, that is, rectification, because the direct current output after half-wave rectification is pulsating direct current, which can only be used in simple circuits with low power requirements.