CYCLO CONVERTER

Converts AC to AC without introducing any DC Element

in between.

Again used to drive high powered motors and hence used in SHIP
PROPULSION.

MAIN FEATURE (of Cyclo Converters):- OUTPUT

FREQUENCY IS ALWAYS LESS THAN THE INPUT
FREQUENCY.

SINGLE TO SINGLE PHASE CYCLOCONVERTER

+ VE
FIRING
CONTROL

- VE FIRING
+VE CONVERTER -VE CONVERTER CONTROL

INPUT

OUTPUT
First the +ve Thyristor circuit is fired and then the –ve Thyristor
circuit is fired& by this, the Output Freq is found to be HALF
that of the Input Freq. as per figure below

JUST AS IN SYNCHRO-CONVERTER
FREQUENCY IS CONTROLLED BY THE FIRING OF THE +VE AND –VE
THYRISTORS AND HOW FAST THEY ARE FIRED & THUS THE SPEED
IS CONTROLLED.

VOLTAGE IS CONTROLLED BY THE ANGLE AT WHICH THE

THYRISTORS ARE FIRED AS PER FIGURE BELOW.
Voltage

100V
90V

70V

3o 45o 90o 120o 160o 177o time

0 π/2 π 2π

Usually the firing angle can be between 3 o and 177o. At 3o the firing
of the Thyristor is done early, therefore max power and voltage
output is obtained as opposed to say at 177 o. The reason being as
follows:-
Just think, if the thyristor T is fired at α = 3 o, the average load
voltage would have been maximum as the SCR is ON from 3 to 177.
Similarly, if the firing angle α = π, the average load voltage would
have been zero as SCR will not conduct at all. At Angle α = 0 & π
the voltage and current are ZERO and the Thyristor will not fire.
Thus, by phase control of SCR, we can control the average load
voltage.
THUS, THE LARGER THE ANGLE OF FIRING,
THE LOWER WILL BE THE AVERAGE OUTPUT
VOLTAGE.

3PHASE TO SINGLE PHASE CYCLOCONVERTER:

REFER TO D.T.HALL PAGE 200

INPUT

OUTPUT
Freq o/p is 1/3rd that of input. ALWAYS OUTPUT FREQ. IS
LESS THAN THE INPUT

WHAT IS BLOCKING MODE IN CYCLO-CONVERTER?

BLOCKING MODE:
When the Positive Thyristors are firing, the Negative Thyristors are
prevented from firing and vice-versa. That is, one side is
“BLOCKED” from firing, hence is called Blocking Mode.

WHAT IS CIRCULATING INTERNAL CURRENT IN

CYCLO-CONVERTER??
THYRISTORS NEED A GATE PULSE TO ALLOW IT TO CONDUCT. IN
ORDER FOR THYRISTORS TO STOP CONDUCTING...........

1) A REVERSE PULSE IS REQUIRED(GATE TURN OFF) OR

2) THE VOLTAGE THAT FORWARD BIASES THE THYRISTOR, HAS
TO BE REMOVED/REVERSED. OR
3) TO REDUCE THE CURRENT FLOWING THROUGH IT TO BELOW
THE “HOLDING CURRENT” VALUE. IF THYRISTOR CURRENT FALLS
BELOW HOLDING CURRENT, IT ENTERS THE HIGH RESISTANCE
REGION AND STOPS CONDUCTING/FIRING.

IN THE CYCLO CONVERTER , DUE TO THE SWITCHING OF

THERE IS A FRACTION OF
THYRISTOR, FROM ON TO OFF,
TIME LAG WHERE CURRENT IS STILL FLOWING
THROUGH THE THYRISTOR BEFORE IT IS
SWITCHED OFF WHILST VOLTAGE IN THE CIRCUIT
HAS FALLEN TO ZERO. THIS FRACTION OF CURRENT FLOW
STILL REMAINING AT THAT TIME IS CALLED “CIRCULATING
INTERNAL CURRENT” .

THIS CIRCULATING CURRENT CAUSES A BIT OF UNSTABILITY

WHICH BECOMES MORE NOTICABLE AT HIGHER OUTPUT
FREQUENCIES, WHERIN THE OUTPUT WAVEFORM BECOMES
DISTORED.

COMPARISONS
Parameters Synchro Con VFD Cyclo Con
Freq. 0 to 120Hz 0.5 to 120Hz 1/3 of input Freq
rd

Operation AC-DC-Pulsating AC-DC-Pulsating AC to AC

DC DC
Uses Large Synchronous Induction Motor Elect. Propulsion
Motor Synch.Motor
Switching Moderate Fast Slow