Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Controlled Rectifiers
AC-DC Converters

S O Fobi

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

UENR, Sunyani.

November 5, 2015
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Introduction

Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier

Single phase Have-wave Controlled Rectifier
Single Phase Bridge Rectifier
Effects of Commutation
Inverter Mode of Operation

Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Three Phase Half-wave Controlled Rectifier
Three Phase Fully Controlled Bridge Rectifier
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Controlled Rectifier

• A controlled Rectifier may be either semi-controlled or

full-controlled

• It uses diodes and/or thyristors.

• It is called controlled because the output voltage and/or

current can be controlled

• The direction of power may also be controlled.

• A fully-controlled rectifier uses only thyristors as switches

while a semi-controlled uses both thyristors and diodes
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Introduction

Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier

Single phase Have-wave Controlled Rectifier
Single Phase Bridge Rectifier
Effects of Commutation
Inverter Mode of Operation

Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Three Phase Half-wave Controlled Rectifier
Three Phase Fully Controlled Bridge Rectifier
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Introduction

Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier

Single phase Have-wave Controlled Rectifier
Single Phase Bridge Rectifier
Effects of Commutation
Inverter Mode of Operation

Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Three Phase Half-wave Controlled Rectifier
Three Phase Fully Controlled Bridge Rectifier
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Single phase Have-wave Controlled Rectifier

A single phase half rectifier consisting of a single thyristor and a
resistance load is shown in figure 1.

Figure 1: Single Phase Half-wave Control Rectifier With Resistive Load a.

circuit b. Waveforms
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• The thyristor will conduct, ON state, when the voltage vT is

positive and a firing current pulse iG is applied to the gate
terminal.

• Delaying the firing pulse by an angle α does the control of the

load voltage.

• The firing angle α is measured from the position where a

diode would naturally conduct. In figure 1 the angle α is
measured from the zero crossing point of the supply voltage
vs .

• The load in figure 1 is resistive and therefore current id has

the same waveform as the load voltage.

• The thyristor goes, OFF state, when the load voltage and,
consequently, the current try to reach a negative value.
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• The load average voltage is given by

Z π
1 Vmax
Vdc = Vmax sin θdθ = (1 + cosα) (1)
2π α 2π

where, θ = ωt, Vmax is the supply peak voltage.

• Hence if can be seen that changing the firing angle α controls

both the average voltage and power flow.
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• Figure 2a shows the rectifier waveforms for an R - L load.

• When the thyristor is turned ON, the voltage across the

inductance is
did
vL = vs − vR = L (2)
dt
The voltage in the resistance is vR = id R.

• While vs − vR > 0, the load current increases it value.

• On the other hand, id decreases its value when vs − vR < 0.

• The load current is given by

Z ωt
1
id (θ) = vL dθ (3)
ωL α
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• Thus id = 0 only when Area A1 = Area A2 , maintaining the

thyristor in conduction state even when vs < 0.

• When an inductive-active load is connected to the rectifier, as

depicted in figue 2b,

• the thyristor will be turned ON if the firing pulse is applied to

the gate when vs > Ed .

• The thyristor will remain in the ON state until A1= A2. When
the thyristor is turned OFF, the load voltage will be vd = Ed .
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Introduction

Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier

Single phase Have-wave Controlled Rectifier
Single Phase Bridge Rectifier
Effects of Commutation
Inverter Mode of Operation

Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Three Phase Half-wave Controlled Rectifier
Three Phase Fully Controlled Bridge Rectifier
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Circuit Diagrams

Figure 3: Single Phase Controlled Bridge Rectifier (a) Fully Controlled

(b) Half-Controlled
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Figure 4 shows the voltage and current waveforms of the fully

controlled bridge rectifier for a resistive load
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• Thyristors T1 and T2 must be fired simultaneously during the

positive half wave of the source voltage vs so as to allow
conduction of current.

• Alternatively, thyristors T3 and T4 must be fired

simultaneously during the negative half wave of the source
voltage.

• To ensure simultaneous firing, thyristors T1 and T2 use the

same firing signal.

• The input current is given by

is = iT 1 − iT 4 (4)
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• The average load voltage is obtained as

1 pi
Z
Vdc = Vmax sin θdθ (5)
π α
Vm
Vdc = (1 + cos α) (6)
π

• The average load current is

Vdc
Idc = R is the load (7)
R

• The rms of load voltage is

s Z
1 π
Vrms = Vmax 2 sin2 θdθ (8)
π α
s  
1 sin 2α
Vrms = Vm π−α+ (9)
π 2
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Fully-controlled Rectifier with highly-inductive Load

Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• The load is an RL load with L → ∞

• The high-load inductance generates a perfectly filtered current

and the rectifier behaves like a current source.

• With continuous load current, thyristors T1 and T2 remain in

the on-state beyond the positive half-wave of the source
voltage vs .

• Thus the load voltage vd can have a negative instantaneous

value.

• The firing of thyristors T3 and T4 has two effects:

i they turn off thyristors T1 and T2; and
ii after the commutation they conduct the load current.
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• In this case, the average load voltage is given by

1 π+α
Z
Vdc = Vmax sin θdθ (10)
π α
2
Vdc = Vmax cos α = 0.9Vs cos α (11)
π

• The supply current iS has the square waveform shown in

Figure 5 for continuous conduction.

• In addition, the input current is is shifted by the firing angle α

with respect to the input voltage vs

• The input current given as

is = iT 1 − iT 4 (12)
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Figure 6: Input current of the single-phase controlled rectifier in bridge

connection: (a) waveforms; and (b) harmonics spectrum.

• Thus is is a square wave and can be expressed as a Fourier

series as
∞
4 X 1
i(ωt) = Id sin n(ωt − α) (13)
π n
n=1,3,5,...
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• The amplitude of the different harmonics is given as

4 Id
Ismax,n = (n = 1, 3, 5, . . . ) (14)
πn
where n is the harmonic number.

• The rms value of each harmonic can be expressed as

√
Ismax,n 2 2 Id
Isn = √ = (15)
2 π n

• Thus, the rms value of the fundamental current, is1 is

Is1 = 0.9Id (16)

Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• It can be observed from figure 6a that the displacement angle

φ1 of the fundamental current is1 corresponds to the firing
angle α.

• Figure 6b shows that in the harmonic spectrum of the input

current, only odd harmonics are present with decreasing
amplitude.

• The rms value of the input current is is

Is = Id (17)

• The total harmonic distortion (THD) of the input current is

given by
q
2
Is2 − Is1
THD = × 100 = 48.4% (18)
Is1
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Voltage and Current Values

The peak inverse voltage is
√
VRM = Vmax = 2Vs (19)
The peak value of the thyristor current
IT ,max = Id (20)
The average thyristor current,
Id
IT ,ave = (21)
2

Because both thyristor T1 and T3 do not conduct simultaneously,

we can write
iT2 1 + iT2 3 = Id2
The thyristor rms current is given as
Id
IT ,rms = √ (22)
2
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Other Performance Parameters

The displacement factor of the fundamental current, is
cos φ1 = cos α (23)
Since the switches have been assumed ideal, input power = output
power.
The input power or output power is given as
1 T
Z
P= vs (t)is (t)dt = Vs Is1 cos φ1 (24)
T 0
The input power can be re-written as
√
2 2Id Vs cos α
P= (25)
π
The apparent power is given by
S = Vs Is
The power factor is given as
P Is1
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• The power factor of the rectifier is negatively affected by both

the firing angle a and the distortion of the input current.

• In effect, an increase in the distortion of the current produces

an increase in the value of Is , which deteriorates the power
factor.

• The rectification ratio or efficiency is given as

√
Pdc 2 2
η= = cos α = 0.9 cos α (27)
Pac π

• The transformer utilization factor is given as

TUF = 0.9 cos α (28)

Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Effects of Ls
We will now include an ac-side inductance
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

During commutation all thyristors conduct; vd = 0 and vs = vLs

Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• Thus, during commutation

dis
vs = vLs = Ls (29)
dt

• Multiplying both sides by d(ωt) and integrating over the

commutation interval
Z α+µ √ Z Id
2Vs sin ωtd(ωt) = ωLs dis = 2ωLs Id (30)
α −Id

• We have Z α+µ √
Au = 2Vs sin ωtd(ωt) (31)
α
√
Au = 2Vs [cos α − cos(α + µ)] = 2ωLs Id (32)
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• Therefore

2ωLs Id
cos(α + µ) + cos α − √ (33)
2Vs

• We not that Ls results in an additional drop ∆Vdu as

Au 2ωLs Id
∆V = = (34)
π π

• Finally,

2
Vd = 0.9Vs cos α − ωLs Id (35)
π
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

In a single phase fully controlled bridge rectifier, with a highly

inductive load, the source inductance is 5% with the rated voltage
of 230 V at 60 Hz and the rated volt-amperes of 5 kVA. Calculate
the commutation angle µ and Vd /Vd0 with the rated input
voltage, power of 3 kW, and α = 300 .
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Effects on Input Line Current, is

• The input current has an essentially a trapezoidal waveform.

• With this assumption, φ1 ≈ α + 21 µ

• The displacement power factor,

1
DPF ≈ cos(α + µ) (36)
2

• Rms of the fundamental-frequency current:

Vs Is1 DPF = Vd Id

0.9Vs Id cos α − (2/π)ωLs Id2

Is1 ≈ (37)
Vs cos(α + 1 µ)
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Single phase Rectifier with RL Load

• Now let’s consider the case where the load has an finite
inductance. Let’s define an angle
ωL
φ = tan−1 . (38)
R

• The load current is continuous when the thyristor firing angle,

α is less than φ.

• For this condition, a thyristor will be conducting when another

is forward biased and is turned on.

• The earlier device is simultaneously turned off by the later

device which has been turned on.

• The load current is instantaneously transferred to the

Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Single phase Rectifier with RL Load

• However, for α > φ, the load current is discontinuous.

• The current goes to zero before a new thyristor is turned on.

We will limit our discussion to continuous load current.

• The output voltage is given as

did
vs (t) =L + Rid α ≤ ωt ≤ π (39)
dt
did
Vm sin ωt =L + Rid α ≤ ωt ≤ π (40)
dt

• The equation has a steady-state solution

Vmax
Iss = sin(ωt − φ) (41)
p Z
2 2 2 −1
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Single phase Rectifier with RL Load

• The transient solution is given as
iTs = Ae −Rt/L (42)

• Thus the load current is given as the sum of the steady-state

and transient values:
Vmax
id (t) = sin(ωt − φ) + Ae −Rt/L (43)
Z

• With the initial condition, id (ωt = α) = I0 and again

id (ωt = α + π) = I0 , A and I0 can be determined.

• It can be shown that

e −π/ tan φ + 1
" #
Vmax
I0 = sin(α − φ) (44)
Z e −π/ tan φ − 1
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• With α = φ, I0 = 0 and A = 0, the load current is reduces to

Vmax
id (t) = sin(ωt − φ) for α ≤ ωt ≤ α + π (45)
Z

• The mean output voltage can be obtained from

Z T Z i(T ) Z T
1 L R
vd (t)dt = did + id dt (46)
T 0 T i(0) T 0

• At steady state, id (0) = id (T ) and the average voltage

Vd = Id R (47)
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Single Phase Controlled Rectifier with R-L and EMF Load

• Such a load may be representing the armature circuit of a dc
machine, as shown in figure 7.
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

The waveform, shown below , is for α = 450 and a continuously

flowing id

vd differs from the instantaneous —vs (t)— waveform by voltage

drop across Ls .
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• For continuous current conduction,

2
Vd ≈ 0.9Vs cos α − ωLs Id,min (48)
π
where Id,min is the minimum value of id that occurs at ωt = α

• To obtain the average Id of the dc current in the circuit

did
vd = rd id + Ld + Ed (49)
dt

• Therefore
Z T Z T Z Id (T )
1 rd Ld
vd dt = id dt + did + Ed (50)
T 0 T 0 T Id(0)

• In the steady state the average across Ld is zero.

Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• In terms of average values,

Vd = rd Id + Ed (51)

• We can control the average dc voltage Vd by means of α and

thus control Id and the power to the load.

• The ac-side current waveforms associated with practical

converters are analysed by means of a computer simulation.
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• Let’s define
Ed
β = π − sin−1 (52)
Vmax
For α > β, the thyristors will always be reverse-biased and no
current flows.

• Thus load current flows when the thyristors’ firing angle α is

0 ≤ α ≤ β.

• Applying the Kirchhoff’s voltage law, the load current can be

obtained from
did
Vmax sin ωt = Ed + Rid + L (53)
dt

• The steady steady current is

Vmax E
Iss = sin(ωt − φ) − (54)
Z R
p
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

The transient solution is given as

iTs = Ae −Rt/L (55)

The load current is thus

Vmax E
id (t) = sin(ωt − φ) − + Ae −Rt/L (56)
Z R
Vmax E
id (t) = sin(ωt − φ) − + Ae −ωt/ tan φ (57)
Z R
For continuous conduction, i(ωt = α) = I0 . The instantaneous
load current is given as
 
Vmax E E Vmax
id = sin(ωt−φ)− + I0 + − sin(α − φ) e (α − ωt)/ tan φ
Z R R Z
(58)
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

The initial current can be obtain for the fact that at ωt = α + π,

id = I0 . The initial current is

e −π/ tan φ + 1
" #
Vmax E
I0 = sin(α − φ) − (59)
Z e −π/ tan φ − 1 R

Integrating both sides of equation 53 over one time period and

dividing by the period, we can obtain the average voltages:
Z T Z T Z id (T )
1 R L
vd dt = id dt + did + Ed (60)
T 0 T 0 T id (0)
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

A single-phase fully controlled bridge converter with RL with emf

load having L = 6.5 mH, R = 0.5 Ω and E = 10 V. The input
voltage is 120 V, 60 Hz. For a given firing angle of 600 , determine
a the expression for the instantaneous load current
b the average thyristor current
c average load current
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

input: √
vs = 120 2 sin ωt; ω = 120π

a Differential equation:
did
vs = E + rid + L
dt
√ did
120 2 sin ωt = 10 + 0.5id + 0.0065
dt
The impedance:
Z = 0.5 + jωL = 2.5 78.470 Ω
Therefore, the load current :
√
120 2 sin(ωt − 78.470 ) 10 0
id (t) = − + Ae −ωt/ tan 78.47
2.5 0.5
= 67.88 sin(ωt − 78.470 ) − 20 + Ae −0.204ωt
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

At ωt = π/3; id = I0 = −41.505 + 0.8076A

At ωt = 4π/3; id = I0 = 1.505 + 0.4225A
Solving simultaneously, A = 112.56 A; I0 = 49.40 A.
Therefore, the instantaneously load current:
id (t) = 67.88 sin(ωt − 78.470 ) − 20 + 112.56e −0.204ωt
average load voltage:
√ √
2 2 2 2
Vd0 = Vs cos α = 120 cos 60 = 54.02 V
π π
The average load current :
Vd0 − E 54.02 − 10
Id = = = 88.04 A
R 0.5
b From iT 1 + iT 2 = id ;
average thyristor current:
Id 88.04
IT ,ave = = = 44.02 A
2 2
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Introduction

Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier

Single phase Have-wave Controlled Rectifier
Single Phase Bridge Rectifier
Effects of Commutation
Inverter Mode of Operation

Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Three Phase Half-wave Controlled Rectifier
Three Phase Fully Controlled Bridge Rectifier
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Commutation
• In real cases, there is a some source line inductance Ls as
shown below,

Figure 8: Commutation process of the thyristors

Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• During commutation, the current through the thyristors

cannot change instantaneously, and for this reason, during the
commutation angle µ, all four thyristors are conducting
simultaneously.

• Therefore, during the commutation the following relationship

for the load voltage holds:

vd = 0 α ≤ ωt ≤ α + µ (61)

• The effect of the commutation on the supply current, voltage

waveforms, and the thyristor current waveforms is observed in
figure 8b.
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• During commutation,

dis
Ls = vs = Vm sin ωt α ≤ ωt ≤ α + µ (62)
dt

• Integrating over the commutation interval yields

Z Id Z α+µ/ω
Vmax
dis = sin ωtdt (63)
−Id Ls α/ω

• From equation 63, the following relationship for commutation

angle µ is obtained:
2ωLs Id
cos(α + µ) = cos α − (64)
Vmax
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• Equation 63 shows that an increase of the line inductance Ls

or an increase of the load current Id increases the
commutation angle µ.

• In addition, the commutation angle is affected by the firing

angle α.

• In effect, equation 63 shows that with different values of α,

the supply voltage vs has a different instantaneous value,
which produces different dis /dt, thereby affecting the duration
of the commutation.

• Equation 63 and the waveform of figure 8 show that the

commutation process reduces the average load voltage.
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• When commutation is considered, the expression for the

average load voltage is, thus, given by

Z π+α
1 Vmax
Vdα = Vmax sin ωtd(ωt) = [cos(α + µ) + cos α]
π α+µ π
(65)

• Substituting equation 64 into equation 65,

2 2ωLs Id
Vdα = Vmax cos α − (66)
π√ π
2 2 2ωLs Id
Vdα = Vs cos α − (67)
π π
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

In a single-phase bridge converter, Ls = 1.4 mH, Vs = 230V , 60Hz.

Calculate the commutation angle and the actual output voltage
with the input power of 3 kW and a firing angle of 300 .
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Assuming a lossless converter: Input power = output power

√
2 2 ωLs 2
P0 = Vd Id = Vs Id cos α − 2 I = 3000 W
π π d
Thus
Id2 − 533.72Id + 8928.6 = 0
Therefore Id = 17.3
Hence, output voltage
3000 3000
Vd = = = 173.4 V
Id 17.3
Commutation angle:
√
2 × 230
173.4 = [cos 300 + cos(300 + µ)]
π
Therefore
µ = 60
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Introduction

Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier

Single phase Have-wave Controlled Rectifier
Single Phase Bridge Rectifier
Effects of Commutation
Inverter Mode of Operation

Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Three Phase Half-wave Controlled Rectifier
Three Phase Fully Controlled Bridge Rectifier
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Inverting mode
• When the firing angle α > 900 , it is possible to obtain a
negative average load voltage.

• In this condition, the power is fed back to the single-phase

supply from the load.

• This operating mode is called inverter or inverting mode,

because the energy is transferred from the dc to the ac side.

• In practical cases this operating mode is obtained when the

load configuration is as shown in figure 9.

• It must be noticed that this rectifier allows unidirectional load

current flow.
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Figure 9: Operating in the inverting mode

Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Figure 10a shows the waveform of the load voltage with the
rectifier in the inverting mode, neglecting the source inductance Ls .
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• As shown in figure 10b, the thyristor voltage vT 1 has a

negative value during the extinction angle γ, defined by
γ = π − (α + µ) (68)

• To ensure that the outgoing thyristor will recover its blocking

capability after commutation, the extinction angle should
satisfy the following restriction:
γ > ωtq (69)
where tq is the thyristor turn-off time. T

• hus the maximum firing angle is, in practice,

αmax = π − µ − γ (70)

• If the condition of equation 70 is not satisfied, the

commutation process will fail and then destructive currents
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Introduction

Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier

Single phase Have-wave Controlled Rectifier
Single Phase Bridge Rectifier
Effects of Commutation
Inverter Mode of Operation

Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Three Phase Half-wave Controlled Rectifier
Three Phase Fully Controlled Bridge Rectifier
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• Three-phase controlled rectifiers have a wide range of

applications, from small rectifiers to large high voltage direct
current (HVDC) transmission systems.

• They are used for electrochemical processes: many kinds of

motor drives, traction equipment, controlled power supplies,
and many other applications.

• From the point of view of the commutation process, they can

be classified into two important categories: line commutated
controlled rectifiers (thyristor rectifiers); and
force-commutated PWM rectifiers.

We will consider Line commutated rectifiers

Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Introduction

Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier

Single phase Have-wave Controlled Rectifier
Single Phase Bridge Rectifier
Effects of Commutation
Inverter Mode of Operation

Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Three Phase Half-wave Controlled Rectifier
Three Phase Fully Controlled Bridge Rectifier
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Circuit

Figure 11: Three phase half-wave controlled rectifier

Assume an ideal power source and an ideal transfer.

Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Operation

• A thyristor will conduct (ON state), when the

anode-to-cathode voltage vAK is positive, and a firing current
pulse iG is applied to the gate terminal.

• Delaying the firing pulse by an angle α controls the load

voltage.

• The firing angle α is measured from the crossing point

between the phase supply voltages.

• At that point, the anode-to-cathode thyristor voltage vAK of

that specific begins to be more positive.
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Figure 12: Instantaneous dc voltage vD , average dc voltage VD , and

firing angle α of Three phase half-wave controlled rectifier

• The possible range for gating delay is between 0 ≤ α ≤ 1800

• But because of commutation problems in actual situations,

the maximum firing angle is limited to ≈ 1600
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• when the load is resistive, the load current id has the same
waveform as the load voltage.

• The thyristor goes to the nonconducting condition (OFF

state) when the following thyristor is switched ON, or the
current tries to reach a negative value.

• As the load becomes more and more inductive, the current

flattens and finally becomes constant.

• For a very large inductive load, the current is constant.

Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Analysis
• From figure 12, the load average voltage can be evaluated and
is given by
Z α+π/3
Vmax
VD = cos ωtd(ωt) (71)
2π/3 α−π/3
sin π/3
VD = Vmax cos α (72)
π/3

• When α < 900 , VD is positive and when α > 900 , VD is

negative.
• In the later case, the converter works as an inverter and the
load needs to be able to generate power reversal by reversing
its dc voltage.
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Introduction

Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier

Single phase Have-wave Controlled Rectifier
Single Phase Bridge Rectifier
Effects of Commutation
Inverter Mode of Operation

Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Three Phase Half-wave Controlled Rectifier
Three Phase Fully Controlled Bridge Rectifier
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Circuit

Figure 14: Three phase fully controlled bridge converter

Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• Figure 14 shows a three phase full controlled bridge rectifier.

• The converter uses two groups of thyristors: top group -

T1 , T3 and T5 and down group - T2 , T4 and T6 .

• The top group has common their cathodes together while the
down group has a common anode connection.

• The two groups work independently.

Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Operation

• For the top group, the thyristor with the highest anode
voltage conducts.

• For the down group, the thyristor with its cathode at the
lowest voltage would conduct.

• The thyristors are fired in sequence in the interval of ωt of

2π/6. The sequence is T1 , T2 , T3 , T4 , T5 and T6 .

• In the case of discontinuous current conduction, the current in

a thyristor , say T2 , would have stopped conducting before
the next thyristor, i.e T3 , is turned on.
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Operation

• Then it is necessary to apply a gate pulse simultaneously to

T2 and T3 .

• This problem is solved by double pulsing, i.e supplying two

pulses per cycle spaced 2π/6 apart to each thyristor.

• Alternatively, a long pulse greater than 2π/6 may be applied

to overcome this problem.

• It is quite difficult to obtain long pulses.

• Therefore, a train of pulses with a high frequency is used to

simulate a long pulse.
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Feeding a highly-inductive load

For a highly inductive load, the load current is constant id (t) = Id ,
and is approximated with figure 15.
The source inductance is assumed negligible.

Figure 15: Three phase fully controlled bridge converter with highly
inductive load
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• The current id flows through one of the thyristors of the top

group (thyristors 1,3,and 5) and one of the bottom group (2,
4, and 6).

• If the gate currents were continuously applied, the thyristors

in figure 15 would behave as diodes.

• Under these conditions (α = 0 and L, = 0), the voltages and

the current in phase a are shown in figure 16.

• The average dc voltage, Vd0 would be

√ √
3 3 3 2
Vd0 = Vmax = VLL = 1.35VLL (73)
π π
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• The effect of the firing angle α on the converter waveforms

are shown in figure 16b through d.

• Focusing on the commutation of current from thyristor 5 to 1,

we see that thyristor 5 keeps on conducting until ωt = α,at
which instant the current commutates instantaneously to
thyristor 1 due to zero Ls .

• The current in phase a is shown in figure 16c.

• Similar delay by an angle α takes place in the conduction of

other thyristors.

• The line-to-line ac voltages and the dc output voltage

vd (= vPn − vNn ) are shown in figure 16d
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Output Voltage
• The output voltage has 6 pulses.

• The mean output voltage is given by

3 α+π/2
Z
Vd = vab dθ (74)
π α+π/6
√ √
3 3Vmax 3 2VLL
Vd = cos α = cos α (75)
π π
where Vmax is the peak value of the phase voltage, VLL is the
rms of the line voltage.

• In the time interval of integration, T1 and T6 are conducting

in
vd (t) = van − vbn = vab
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Output Voltage

• For α < π/3, the output at all instants is non-zero. The load
current is continuous for a passive load.

• Beyond π/3, the load current may be discontinuous.

• The rms value of the output voltage is

s Z
3 α+π/2
Vrms = 3Vmax 2 sin2 (ωt + π/6)dθ (76)
π α+π/6
s √
√ 1 3 3
Vrms = 3Vmax + cos 2α (77)
2 4π
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Input Line Currents ia , ib , ic

:
The input currents have rectangular waveforms with an amplitude
Id .

Figure 17: Input line current, ia of fully controlled bridge rectifier, with
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• The waveform of ia , is phase shifted by the delay angle α in

figure 17a with respect to its waveform in figure 16 with α =
0.

• It can be expressed in terms of its Fourier components (with

ωt defined to be zero at the positive zero crossing of van ) as
√ √
ia (ωt) = 2Is1 sin(ωt − α) − 2Is5 sin(5(ωt − α))
√ √
− 2Is7 sin(7(ωt − α)) − 2Is11 sin(11(ωt − α)) (78)
√
− 2Is13 sin(13(ωt − α)) − . . .

• Only the nontriplen odd harmonics h are present and

h = 6n ± 1 (n = 1, 2, 3...1) (79)
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

• The rms value of the fundamental frequency component is

√
6
Is1 = Id = 0.78Id (80)
π

• the harmonic components are inversely proportional to the

harmonic order
Is1
Ish = where h = 6n ± 1 (81)
h

• The total rms value of the phase current is

r
2
Is = Id = 0.816Id (82)
3

• Therefore,
Is1 3
= = 0.955 (83)
Is π
and THD = 31.08 %
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Power, Power Factor

With Ls = 0, φ1 = α and

DPF = cos φ1 = cos α (84)

The power factor is

3
PF = cos α (85)
π
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Voltage and Current of Thyristors

• The peak inverse or reverse voltage
√ √
VRM = 3Vmax = 2VLL (86)

• The peak value of the thyristor current

IT ,max = Id (87)

• From Kirchhoff’s Current Law

iT 1 + iT 3 + iT 5 = Id (88)

• Hence the average thyristor current is

Id
IT ,ave = (89)
3
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

Voltage and Current of Thyristors

• Because T1 , T3 , T5 do not conduct simultaneously,

iT2 1,rms + iT2 3,rms + iT2 5,rms = Id2 (90)

• The rms value of the thyristor current is

Id
IT ,rms = √ (91)
3
Introduction Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Three-phase Controlled Rectifier

example

A 3-phase fully controlled bridge converter is operated from a

3-phase star-connected 208 - V, 60 Hz supply and load resistance
is R = 10Ω. If it is required that the average output voltage of
50% of the maximum possible output voltage, calculate
a. the firing angle
b. rms and average output currents
c. the average and rms thyristor currents
d. the rectification efficiency
e. the transformer utilization factor
f. input power factor
(Assume a continuous current conduction)