Unit 2: Converters:
Unit outlines
Functions of power electronic circuit as a controlled
rectifier;
half-wave phase controlled rectifier circuit;
a single phase controlled rectifier bridge circuit;
a half controlled bridge circuit;
type of load on a rectifier;
effects of source impedance on the performance of
converters;
three phase converter systems; dual converters.
Converters
Introduction
Phase controlled Converters are used to obtain
controlled dc output voltages from a fixed
frequency and a fixed ac voltage source.
Its uses Thyristors (or combination of thyristors and
diodes) as rectifying elements, and dc output
voltage is a function of the ac supply voltage at
which the thyristors are fired.
The thyristor is turned on by applying a short pulse
to its gate and turn off by a process called line or
natural commutation.
Phase controlled converters are simple and cheap
Also known as controlled rectifier or line
commutated ac to dc converters
Applications
Process industry
Paper mills
Textiles mills
Traction systems
Electro-chemical industries etc.
Classifications:
Phase controlled converters can be classified into
three (both single as well as three phase).
Depending on the input supply
1. Semi-converters
2. Full converters
3. Dual converters
Semi-converters:
is a single quadrant converter unidirectional flow
with no regeneration process.
The half of the devices in bridge configuration are
diodes.
Full Converters:
A full converter is a two quadrant converter, in
which voltage polarity at output terminals can be
reverse but current remains unidirectional because
of unidirectional thyrsistors.
Dual Converters:
It is a four quadrant converter, both its output
voltage and current can be either positive or
negative.
Are normally used in high power variable speed
drives.
Principle of operation:
The principle of phase control operation involves a
control of on-off switching which connects an ac
supply to a load for a controlled fraction of each cycle.
In phase control, power semiconductor devices (such
as thyristors) are turned on by governing the phase
angle of ac wave signal.
Therefore, thyristor switches allow forward current to
be turned on at arbitrary times, but do not permit
arbitrary turn off or commutation without any special
turn off circuitry.
In general converters, conversion means converting ac
to dc and the thyrsistors could be operated naturally
or by the forced commutation process.
Single Phase half wave converter with resistive load
Circuit is as shown below
During +ve half, thyristor anode is positive w.r.t
cathode
Until the thyrsitor is triggered by proper gate pulse,
it blocks the flow of load current in forward biased
mode (thyristor is ready to conduct)]
During –ve half cycle, thyristor blocks the flow of
load current and no voltages is applied to the load.
Definition:
Firing angle (𝜶): is defined as the angle measured
from the instant SCR gets forward biased to the
instant it is triggered.
The waveform is as shown below
The average load voltage (Vdc) across load R shown in
figure above for the single phase half wave circuit in
terms of firing angle (𝜶) is given by
1 𝜋
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡𝑑𝜔𝑡
2𝜋 𝛼
𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼) ……………….(1)
2𝜋
The maximum value of Vdc occurs at 𝜶=0
𝑉𝑚 𝑉𝑚
Vdc(max)= . 2 = ……………… 2
2𝜋 𝜋
∴ the average load current Idc
𝑉𝑑𝑐 𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑑𝑐 = = (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼)…………(3)
𝑅 2𝜋𝑅
𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛼
𝑉𝑑𝑐(𝑟𝑚𝑠) = ( 𝜋−𝛼 + ) ……………….(4)
2 𝜋 2
𝑉𝑑𝑐(𝑟𝑚𝑠)
𝐼𝑑𝑐 (𝑟𝑚𝑠) = =…………(5)
𝑅
Power delivered to resistive load
𝑃𝑅 = 𝑉𝑑𝑐(𝑟𝑚𝑠) 𝑥𝐼𝑑𝑐 (𝑟𝑚𝑠)
2
𝑉𝑑𝑐(𝑟𝑚𝑠) 2
= = 𝐼𝑑𝑐 (𝑟𝑚𝑠) 𝑅……….(6)
𝑅
1 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛼
Input power factor p.f= [ 𝜋−𝛼 + … … (7)
2𝜋 2
Figure: Variation of average output voltage (Vdc) with
delay angle (𝛼)
Single Phase half wave converter with R-L load
Figure below shows the circuit diagram
Voltage and current waveforms
At 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼, thyristor conducts when it receives gate
firing pulses.
The load voltage Vdc at once becomes equal to
source voltage Vs as shown in the waveform above.
But the inductance L forces the load output current
idc to rise rapidly. After some time Idc reaches the
maximum value and then begins to decrease.
At 𝜔𝑡=𝜋, Vdc=0; but Idc≠0 due to existence of load
inducatnce L
After 𝜔𝑡= 𝜋, thyristor is subjected to reverse anode
voltage but it will not turn off at some angle 𝛽 > 𝜋,
Idc reduces to zero and thyristor is turned off as it is
already reverse-biased.
𝜔𝑡=𝛽, 𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼𝑑𝑐 = 0
At 𝜔𝑡 = 2𝜋 + 𝛼, during the positive half cycle, the
Thyristor is triggered again, Vdc is applied to the load
and supply current develops in the load as load
current.
Angle 𝛽= excitation angle
𝛾 = 𝛽-𝛼 =conduction angle
2𝜋−𝛽
The circuit turnoff time is Tc= secs
𝜔
For satisfactory commutation, tc should be more
than device turn-off time (tq)
𝜋+𝛼
1
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡𝑑𝜔𝑡
2𝜋 𝛼
𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 ……………….(1) if 𝛼 = 𝛽
𝜋
if 𝛼 ≠ 𝛽
𝛽
1
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡𝑑𝜔𝑡
2𝜋 𝛼
𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 − cosβ) ……………….(2)
2𝜋
Effect of freewheeling diode in controlled
rectification:
Freewheeling diode is a power diode connected
across the load in reverse mode
Is commonly described as commutating diode or
freewheel or bypass diode.
Main function is to commutate or transfer load
current away from the rectifier when the load
voltage is reversed. This allows thyristor to regain its
blocking state immediately following voltage
reversal.
Single phase half wave converter with RL load and
freewheeling diode:
Circuit diagram is as shown below
Current and voltage waveforms
𝑽𝒎
𝑽𝒅𝒄 = 𝟏 + 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜶
𝟐𝝅
Half Controlled Converters (Bridge type
configuration)
in half controlled bridge, thyristor can be connected
in either arm of the bridge.
The major advantages of these converters are to
increase in the average load voltage and
improvement in power factor, also improves the
shape of input current waveform.
Are used in motor field supplies or to supply direct
current to highly inductive load.
Single phase half controlled Bridge Converter with R-
Load
Types
1. Symmetrical configuration
2. Asymmetrical configuration
1. Symmetrical configuration
Figure below shows the symmetrical configuration.
Cathodes of two thyristors have the same potential
so their gates can be connected and a single-phase
can be used for triggering either thyristors.
The thyristor which is forward biased at instant of
firing will turn on.
The wave form is as shown in figure
During +ve half cycle, T1 and D1 are in forward
biased, and when T1 is triggered at a firing angle 𝛼,
the current flows through the path L-T1-R-D1-N
(shown in circuit diagram)
The load current will flow until commutated by
reversal supply voltage at 𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋
During –ve half cycle, T2 and D2 are forward biased,
T2 is triggered at an angle (𝜋+𝛼), current flows
through path N-T2-R-D2-L as shown in circuit
diagrams.
This current is continuous till angle 2𝜋, when
thyristor T2is turned off.
The average load voltage (Vdc)
1 𝜋
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 𝛼 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡𝑑𝜔𝑡
𝜋
𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼) ……………….(1)
𝜋
∴ the average load current Idc
𝑉𝑑𝑐 𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑑𝑐 = = (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼)…………(2)
𝑅 𝜋𝑅
𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛼
𝑉𝑑𝑐(𝑟𝑚𝑠) = ( 𝜋−𝛼 + ) ……………….(3)
2𝜋 2
2. Asymmetrical configuration
Figure shows the circuit diagram
During +ve half cycle T1 D1 are forward biased.
Current flows through L-T1-R-D1-N when T1 is
triggered at an angle 𝛼
Load current will flow until it is commutated by
reversal supply voltage at 𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋
-ve half cycle, T2 and D2 are forward biased at 𝜔𝑡=𝜋
+𝛼
Current flows through N-D2-R-T2-L as shown in
circuit diagram.
Waveforms is as shown in figure
The average load voltage (Vdc)
1 𝜋
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 𝛼 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡𝑑𝜔𝑡
𝜋
𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼) ……………….(1)
𝜋
∴ the average load current Idc
𝑉𝑑𝑐 𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑑𝑐 = = (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼)…………(2)
𝑅 𝜋𝑅
𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛼
𝑉𝑑𝑐(𝑟𝑚𝑠) = ( 𝜋−𝛼 + ) ……………….(3)
2𝜋 2
Single Phase half controlled bridge converter with RL
Load:
Symmetrical
+ve half cycle:
T1=turn on at an firing angle (𝛼),current Idc flows
through L-T1-Ld-RL-D1-N
2. Asymmetrical
Example 1: A voltage source Vs=100sin314t supplies a
resistive load of 10Ω through a thyristor which
performs half wave controlled rectification, calculate
the average power of the load if the thyristor firing
angle 𝛼 = 45° w.r.t supply voltage.
Solution:
Given data:
Vs=100sin314t; R= 10Ω; 𝛼=45°
𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛼
𝑉𝑑𝑐(𝑟𝑚𝑠) = 𝜋−𝛼 +
2 𝜋 2
Vdc(rms)=47.67 V
Pdc=Vdc(rms)2/R=47.672/10=227.3 W
A 230 V,50 Hz, single phase half wave controlled
rectifier circuit supplies a resistive load of 10Ω.If the
thyristor firing angle 𝛼=45° . Determine (a) form
factor (b) Ripple factor (c) Transformer utilization
factor and (d) Peak inverse voltage of a Thyristor.
Assume that the turn ratio of transformer be unity.
Assignment:
Half controlled rectifier with RL load, Free wheeling
diode (circuit diagram, waveform and equations etc.)
References:
1. “Power Electronics (Circuit, Devices and
Applications)” 3rd Edition. Muhammad H. Rashid.
2. “Power Electronics” Dr. P S Bhimbra
3. “Power Electronics” Vedam Subrahmanyam
4. “Power Electronics” [Link],M Balasubba
Reddy, [Link] Prasad