Single Phase Cycloconverter

Scientech 2713

Product Tutorial
Ver.1.1

Designed & Manufactured in India by:

An ISO 9001:2008 company
Scientech Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
94, Electronic Complex, Pardesipura, Indore - 452 010 India,
+ 91-731 4211100, : [email protected] , : www.ScientechWorld.com
Scientech 2713
Single Phase Cycloconverter
Scientech 2713
Table of Contents

1. Safety Instructions 3
2. Introduction 4
3. Features 5
4. Technical Specifications 5
5. Theory 6
6. Experiments
· Experiment 1 11
Study of single phase cycloconverter firing circuit
· Experiment 2 16
Study of single phase cycloconverter (mid point configuration)
with resistive and inductive load.
7. Datasheet 20
8. Warranty 23
9. List of Accessories 23
10. List of other Trainers available from us are 25

2
Scientech 2713

Safety Instructions
Read the following safety instructions carefully before operating the product.
To avoid any personal injury, or damage to the product, or any products connected to
it;
Do not operate the instrument if you suspect any damage within.
The instrument should be serviced by qualified personnel only.
For your Safety:
Use proper Mains cord : Use only the mains cord designed for this product.
Ensure that the mains cord is suitable for your
country.
Ground the Instrument : This product is grounded through the protective earth
conductor of the mains cord. To avoid electric shock
the grounding conductor must be connected to the
earth ground. Before making connections to the input
terminals, ensure that the instrument is properly
grounded.

Observe Terminal Ratings : To avoid fire or shock hazards, observe all ratings and
marks on the instrument.

Use only the proper Fuse : Use the fuse type and rating specified for this product.

Use in proper Atmosphere : Please refer to operating conditions given in the

manual.
1. Do not operate in wet / damp conditions.
2. Do not operate in an explosive atmosphere.
3. Keep the product dust free, clean and dry.

3
Scientech 2713
Introduction
Scientech 2713, Single Phase Cycloconverter is a compact, ready to use power
electronics experiment board. This board is helpful for students to know how to
generate firing pulses for single phase cycloconverter using ramp comparator firing
scheme.

4
Scientech 2713
Features

· In built Power Supply.

· Easy to operate and understand.
· Firing circuit on single board.
· Gradual Firing Angle Control up to 180 degree.
· Test points for observation of output of different blocks.
· Sockets to make different connections.
· In built pulse transformer for isolation.

Technical Specifications

On board firing circuit : Ramp comparator firing scheme

Interconnections : 2mm sockets
Firing angle variation : Gradual variation from 0 to 180 degree
SCR assembly : 4 SCRs 2P4M, 400V/2A
Pulse transformer : PT4503, 1:1:1
Mains Supply : 220V/110V, 50 Hz / 60 Hz
Load : Resistance 270E, 5W
Test points : 17 nos
Dimensions (mm) : W 420 x D 255 x H 100
Weight : 1 Kg. (approximately)
Operating Conditions : 0-400C, 85% RH

5
Scientech 2713
Theory
In industrial applications, two forms of electrical energy are used: direct current (DC)
and alternating current (AC). Usually constant voltage constant frequency single-
phase or three-phase AC is readily available. However, for different applications,
different forms, magnitudes and/or Frequencies are required. There are four different
conversions between DC and AC power sources. These conversions are done by
circuits called power converters. The converters are classified as:
1. Rectifiers: convert single-phase or three-phase AC to variable voltage DC.
2. Choppers: convert DC to variable voltage DC.
3. Inverters: convert DC to variable magnitude and variable frequency, single-
phase or three phase AC.
4. Cycloconverters: Convert single-phase or three-phase AC to variable
magnitude and variable frequency AC.A cycloconverter or a cycloinverter
converts an AC waveform, such as the mains supply, to another AC waveform
of a lower or higher frequency. They are most commonly used in three phase
applications - while single phase cycloconverters are possible, they are so
impractical that they are never used in real systems. The amplitude and the
frequency of input voltage to a cycloconverter tend to be fixed values, whereas
both the amplitude and the frequency of output voltage of a cycloconverter
tend to be variable. A circuit that converts an AC voltage to another AC
voltage at the same frequency is known as an AC/AC chopper.
A typical application of a cycloconverter is for use in controlling the speed of an AC
traction motor and starting of synchronous motor. Most of these cycloconverters have
a high power output - in the order of few megawatts - and silicon-controlled rectifiers
(SCRs) are used in these circuits. By contrast, low cost, low-power cycloconverters
for low-power AC motors are also in use, and many such circuits tend to use TRIACs
in place of SCRs. Unlike an SCR which conducts in only one direction, a TRIAC is
capable of conducting in either direction, but it is also a three terminal device. It may
be noted that the use of a cycloconverter is not as common as that of an inverter and a
cycloinverter is rarely used. However, it is common in very high power applications.
Traditionally, AC-AC conversion using semiconductor switches is done in two
different ways: 1- in two stages (AC-DC and then DC-AC) as in DC link converters
or 2- in one stage (AC-AC) cycloconverters (figure 1). Cycloconverters are used in
high power applications driving induction and synchronous motors. They are usually
phase-controlled and they traditionally use thyristors due to their ease of phase
commutation.

6
Scientech 2713

Block diagram of a Cycloconverter

Figure 1
There are other newer forms of cycloconversion such as AC-AC matrix converters
and high Frequency AC-AC (hf AC-AC) converters and these use self-controlled
switches. These converters, however, are not popular yet.
Some applications of cycloconverters are:
· Cement mill drives
· Ship propulsion drives
· Rolling mill drives
· Scherbius drives
· Ore grinding mills
· Mine winders

1. Operation Principles:
The following sections will describe the operation principles of the cycloconverter
starting from the simplest one, single-phase to single-phase (1f-1f) cycloconverter.

2. Single-phase to Single-phase (1f-1f) Cycloconverter:

To understand the operation principles of cycloconverters shows the power circuit of
a single-phase to single-phase Cycloconverter employing a centre tapped transformer.
There are four thyristors namely, P1, N1, P2 and N2. Out of the four SCRs, SCRs P1
and P2 are responsible for generating the positive halves forming the positive group.
The other two SCRs, N1 and N2, are responsible for producing the negative halves
forming the negative group. This configuration is meant for generating 1/3 of the
input frequency, i.e. this circuit generates a frequency of 16 ⅔ Hz at its output.
Depending upon the polarities of the points P and Q of the transformer, SCRs are
gated. Natural commutation process is used for turning off the SCRs. This circuit
configuration can be analyses for purely resistive load and R-L load.

7
Scientech 2713
3. With resistive load:
Let us analyze the configuration of figure 2 for a purely resistive load. During the
positive half-cycle, when point 7 is positive and point 11 is negative, SCR P1 being in
conducting mode is gated. The current flows through positive point 7, load and the
negative point 11. In the negative half cycle, when point 11 is positive and point 7 is
negative, SCR P1 is automatically turned-off and SCR P2 is triggered simultaneously.
Path for the current flow in this condition will be from positive point 11, SCR P2,
load and the negative point 9. Direction of flow of current through the load remains
the same as in the positive half cycle. Next moment, again point 7 becomes positive
and point 11 becomes negative, thus, SCR P2 is automatically line commutated. SCR
P1 is gated simultaneously. The current path again becomes same as was in the
previous case when SCR P1 was conducting. Thus, it is seen that the direction of flow
of current through the load remains same in all the three half cycle, or, in other words,
the three positive half – cycles are being obtained across the load to produce one
combined positive half-cycle as output.

Figure 2
Similarly, in the next negative half-cycle of the a.c. input, when point 11, is again
positive and point 7 is negative, SCR P1 is automatically switched off. Now instead of
SCR P2, SCR N1 is gated. The path for the current flow will be from point 11, load,
SCR N1 and back to negative point 7. Thus, the direction of flow of current through
the load is reversed. In the next positive half cycle, point 7 is positive and point 11 is
negative. SCR N1 is automatically turned off. SCR N2 which is in the conducting
mode is simultaneously turned on. The path for the current flow becomes from
positive point 7, load, SCR N2 to the negative point 11. Thus, the direction of flow of
current through the load remains the same. For the next negative half cycle of a.c.
input when point 11 is positive and point 7 is negative, SCR N2 is automatically
switched off and SCR N1 is gated. The current flow through the load again remains in
the same direction. We can analyse it as producing one negative half-cycle at the
output by combining three negatives halves of the input. In other words, it can be said
8
Scientech 2713
that, three positive half cycles of the input a.c. have been combined to produce one
cycle at the output, i.e. three positive half cycles at the output by the SCRs P1 and P2
whereas, three negative half cycle of the input a.c. are combined to produce one
negative half cycle at the output by SCRs N1 and N2. This clearly indicates that the
input frequency 50Hz is reduced to 1/3 rd (16 ⅔ Hz) at the output across the load.

With inductive load:

Let us now analyze the case of an R-L load. When point 7 is positive with respect to
point 9 in figure, forward biased SCR P1 is triggered at ωt =α, positive output voltage
appears across load and load current builds up. At ωt = π, supply and load voltages are
zero. After ωt = π, SCR P1 is reverse biased. As load current is continuous, SCR P1
is not turned off at ωt = π. When SCR P2 is triggered in sequence at (π + α), a reverse
voltage appears across SCR P1; it is therefore turned off by natural commutation.
When SCR P1 is commutated, load current has built up to some value. With the
turning on of SCR P2 at (π + α), output voltage is again positive as it was with SCR
P1 on. As a consequence, load current builds up further. At (2π + α), when SCR P1 is
again turned on , SCR P2 is naturally commutated and load current through SCR P1
builds up to beyond . At the end of four positive half –cycles of output voltage. When
SCR N2 is now triggered after SCR P2, load is subjected to a negative voltage cycle
and load current Io decreases from positive to negative. Now, SCR N2 is commutated
and SCR N1 is gated at (5π + α). Load current becomes more negative. So with
inductive load, SCRs on in reverse biased condition for some time because voltage
store in inductor.

Firing circuit:
The function of the control circuit is to deliver correctly timed, properly shaped, and
firing pulses to the gates of the thyristors in the power converter so as to generate a
voltage of the desired wave shape at the output terminals of a cycloconverter. The
control circuit can be arranged in eight functional blocks:
1. Synchronizing circuit.
2. Zero cross detectors.
3. Ramp generator.
4. Ramp comparator.
5. Group selector logic circuit.
6. Pulse transformer.
7. P converter gate signal.
8. N converter gate signal.

9
Scientech 2713

Figure 3
Synchronize signal:
The main function of the synchronizing circuit is to derive low voltage signals to the
control circuit which operates at low voltages. These low voltage signals must be
synchronized to the voltages supplied to the main power circuit. Step down
transformers may be used for this purpose with filter circuit to avoid waveform
distortion if any.
Zero cross detector:
The main function of the zero cross detector is to convert synchronize signal to square
wave signal.
Ramp generator:
The main function of this section is to generate the ramp signal using the zero cross
detector output.
Ramp comparator:
The main function of this section is to compare the ramp signal with the reference
voltage signal and generate the gate signal with variable angle.
Group selector logic circuit:
The main function of this section is to select the group of the gate signal for P and N
converters.
Pulse transformer:
The pulse transformer section provides isolation between firing circuit and the
cycloconverter circuit.
P & N converter gate signal:
These sections provide the gate signal for P & N converter thyristors.

10
Scientech 2713
Experiment 1
Objective:
Study of single phase Cycloconverter firing circuit
Equipments Needed:
1. Power Electronics board, Scientech 2713
2. Oscilloscope Scientech 803/831, or equivalent
3. 2 mm patch cords.
Circuit diagram:
The basic firing circuit block diagram is shown in the figure 4 given below:

Figure 4

11
Scientech 2713
Procedure:
· Make sure that there should not be any connections by patch cord on the
board.
1. Rotate the firing control potentiometer in full counter clockwise direction.
2. Connect BNC to Test probe cable at CH1 of oscilloscope and switch on the
oscilloscope.
3. Switch ‘On’ the power supply.
4. Observe the sine wave AC signal between point 7 and 9 point at single phase
cycloconverter mid point configuration section and note reading, amplitude of
sine wave and time period.

Sinewave waveform at point 7 w.r.t. 9

5. Observe the sine wave AC signal between point 11 and 9 point at single phase
cycloconverter mid point configuration section and note reading, amplitude of
sine wave and time period.

Sinewave waveform at point 11 w.r.t. 9

6. Observe the sinewave signal at both points 7 and 11 w.r.t. point 9 at CH1 and
CH2 channel of oscilloscope.

12
Scientech 2713

Sinewave waveform at point 7 and 11 w.r.t. 9

7. Observe the output of Zero crossing detector 1 at point 1 with respect to
ground square wave obtained and note readings, amplitude of square wave and
time period.

Output of Zero crossing detector 1 at point 1 w.r.t. ground

8. Observe the output of Zero crossing detector 2 at point 2 with respect to
ground square wave obtained and note reading, amplitude of square wave and
time period.

Output of Zero crossing detector 2 at point 2 w.r.t. ground

9. Observe the output waveform of both Zero crossing detectors between point 1
and point 2 with respect to ground at CH1 and CH2 channel of oscilloscope.

13
Scientech 2713

Output waveform at Zero crossing detector 1 and 2 w.r.t. ground

10. Observe the output waveform of ramp generator at point 3 with respect to
ground triangular wave (ramp waveform) obtained and note readings,
amplitude of ramp waveform and time period.

Ramp waveform at point 3 w.r.t. ground

11. Observe the output waveform of ramp comparator at point 4 with respect to
ground square wave waveform obtained and note readings, amplitude of
square wave and time period.

Output of Ramp comparator at point 4 w.r.t. ground

12. Observe the output of Group selector logic circuit at point 5 and point 6 with
respect to ground pulse train square wave waveform obtained and note
readings, amplitude of square wave and time period.

14
Scientech 2713

Output of Group selector logic circuit at point 5 and 6 w.r.t. ground

13. Connect point 5 and point 6 to input of pulse transformer from Group selector
logic circuit at their respective terminal by 2mm patch cord.
Observation Table

S. Input ZCD 1 ZCD 2 Ramp Pulse 1 Pulse 2

No Signal Output Output Output Output Output
Amp. Time Amp. Time Amp. Time Amp. Time Amp. Time Amp. Time
1.

Sample Result Table:

S. Input ZCD 1 ZCD 2 Ramp Pulse 1 Pulse 2
No Signal Output Output Output Output Output
Amp. Time Amp. Time Amp. Time Amp. Time Amp. Time Amp. Time
1. 40V 20ms 10V 20ms 10V 20ms 10V 10ms 10V 60ms 10V 60ms

Conclusion: By varying the firing angle control potentiometer of cycloconverter

firing circuit, pulse width of group selector logic circuit waveforms changes
simultaneously.

15
Scientech 2713
Experiment 2
Objective:
Study of single phase cycloconverter (mid point configuration) with resistive and
inductive load
Equipments Needed:
1. Power Electronics board, Scientech 2713
2. Oscilloscope Scientech 803/831, or equivalent
3. 2 mm patch cords.
4. Multimeter.
Circuit diagram:
The basic circuit diagram is shown in the figure 5 given below:

Figure 5

16
Scientech 2713
Procedure:
· Make sure that there should not be any connections by patch cord on the board.
1. Rotate the firing angle control potentiometer in full clockwise direction.
2. Connect point 5 and point 6 to input of pulse transformer from Group selector
logic circuit at their respective terminal by 2mm patch cord.
3. Connect one terminal of R load (point 13) to point 9 terminal at single phase
cycloconverter mid point configuration load terminal.
4. Connect other terminal of R load (point 14) to point 10 terminal at single phase
cycloconverter mid point configuration load terminal.
5. Connect BNC to Test probe cable at CH1 of oscilloscope and switch on the
oscilloscope.
6. Verify the connection before switch on the power.
7. Switch on the power.
8. Connect oscilloscope and multimeter across the load.
9. Vary the firing angle control potentiometer and set on 0º, 18º, 36º, 54º, 72º, 90º,
108º, 126º and 162º firing angles.
10. Observe the output waveforms and note readings of voltage across load on
different firing angle.

11. Now, switch off the power and remove the R load connection.

12. Connect one terminal of R load (point 13) to point 9 terminal at single phase
cycloconverter mid point configuration load terminal.

13. Connect other terminal of R load (point 14) to one terminal of inductor L (point
15).

14. Connect other terminal of inductor L (point 16) to point 10 terminal at single
phase cycloconverter mid point configuration load terminal.

15. Verify the connection before switch on the power.

16. Switch on the power.

17. Connect oscilloscope and multimeter across the load.

18. Vary the firing angle control potentiometer at different firing angles and observe
the output waveforms and note readings of voltage

17
Scientech 2713
Firing Angle Calculation:

Output waveform at Load terminal:

18
Scientech 2713
Observation Table:

S. No. Firing Angle (in °) Voltage Across Load (in Volt)

1. 18°

2. 36°

3. 54°

4. 72°

5. 90°

6. 108°

7. 126°

8. 144°

Sample Result Table:

S. No. Firing Angle (in °) Voltage Across Load (in Volt)

1. 18° 17.4V

2. 36° 16.1V

3. 54° 14.7V

4. 72° 12.8V

5. 90° 10.5V

6. 108° 8.7V

7. 126° 5.5V

8. 144° 2.3V

Conclusion: By varying the firing angle control potentiometer of cycloconverter

firing circuit output voltage across the loads, their waveforms changes
simultaneously.

19
Scientech 2713
Datasheet

20
Scientech 2713

21
Scientech 2713

22
Scientech 2713

Warranty
1. We guarantee this product against all manufacturing defects for 24 months from
the date of sale by us or through our dealers..
2. The guarantee will become void, if
a. The product is not operated as per the instruction given in the Learning
Material.
b. The agreed payment terms and other conditions of sale are not followed.
c. The customer resells the instrument to another party.
d. Any attempt is made to service and modify the instrument.
3. The non-working of the product is to be communicated to us immediately giving
full details of the complaints and defects noticed specifically mentioning the
type, serial number of the product and date of purchase etc.
4. The repair work will be carried out, provided the product is dispatched securely
packed and insured. The transportation charges shall be borne by the customer.
Hope you enjoy the Scientech Experience.

List of Accessories
1. 2mm Patch Cords (blue) 16”..................................................................... 5 Nos.
2. Mains Cord................................................................................................. 1 No.
3. Product Tutorial (CD)................................................................................. 1 No.

23
Scientech 2713
List of other Trainers available from us are:
Model Name
PE01 UJT Characteristics
PE02 MOSFET Characteristics
PE03 SCR Characteristics
PE04 TRIAC Characteristics
PE05 DIAC Characteristics
PE06 IGBT Characteristics
PE07 PUT Characteristics
PE10 SCR Triggering (R, RC Half wave, RC Full wave)
PE11 SCR Triggering (UJT)
PE12 SCR Triggering (IC555)
PE13 SCR Triggering (IC74121)
PE14 Ramp and Pedestal Triggering
PE15 SCR Triggering (IC741)
PE16 SCR Triggering (PUT)
PE21 Ramp Comparator Firing Circuit
PE22 Three Phase Firing Circuit
PE23 PWM Circuit
PE24 Cycloconverter Firing Circuit
PE25 Ramp and Pedestal Firing Circuit
PE26 Cosine Firing Circuit
PE27 Microcontroller Based Firing Circuit
PE40 SCR Lamp Flasher
PE41 SCR Alarm Circuit
PE42 Series Inverter
PE43 UJT Relaxation Oscillator
PE44 Single Phase PWM Inverter
Scientech 2700 High Voltage Power Electronic Lab
Scientech 2701 IGBT Characteristics
Scientech 2702 SCR Triggering (R, RC Half wave, RC Full wave)
Scientech 2703 SCR Triggering Techniques
Scientech 2704 Triggering of SCR using 74121 IC
Scientech 2705 SCR Lamp Flasher
Scientech 2706 SCR Alarm Circuit
Scientech 2707 Series Inverter
Scientech 2708 Single Phase Controlled Rectifier (with Ramp Comparator Firing
Scheme)
Scientech 2709 Single Phase Controlled Rectifier (Cosine Firing Scheme)
Scientech 2710 Single Phase Converter Firing Techniques (by TCA 785IC and
Triangular Comparator)
Scientech 2711 Lamp Dimmer
Scientech 2712 Power Electronics Lab
Scientech 2713 Single Phase Cycloconverter
Scientech 2714 Speed Control of Universal Motor using SCR
Scientech 2715 Speed Control of AC Motor using TRIAC
Scientech 2716 Microcontroller Based Firing Circuit for Controlled Rectifier

24
Scientech 2713
Scientech 2717 SCR Commutation Circuits
Scientech 2718 Bedford & Parallel Inverter
Scientech 2719 Step Up Chopper
Scientech 2720 Single Phase Bridge Inverter
Scientech 2722 Step Down Chopper
Scientech 2723 AC Chopper
Scientech 2724 Step Down Chopper (MOSFET,IGBT, Transistor & SCR Based)
Scientech 2725 Step Up Chopper (MOSFET, IGBT, Transistor & SCR Based)
Scientech 2726 Buck Converter
Scientech 2727 Boost Converter
Scientech 2728 Flyback Converter
Scientech 2729 Buck Boost Converter
Scientech 2730 Forward Converter

and many more….……

25