40

CHAPTER III
RECTIFIERS
III.1 Some Basic Concepts

Half wave rectifier with resistive load;

Figure III.1 Half wave rectifier with resistive load

 41

Full-wave rectifier with inductive load;

If L is high its called highly inductive load (L= ∞)

Figure III.3 Full-wave rectifier with inductive load

α (Firing angle) between the crossover of consecutive signals and the instant of
triggering of the thyristor, it varies between 0˚ and 180˚.

Figure III.4 Reference voltages and currents for large and small inductive
loads for full-wave rectifier
 42

III.2 Voltage Time Area (VTA)

Time integral of a voltage pulse.
1T VTA
 Mean output voltage   VO t dt 
T0 T

VTA

Figure III.5 Voltage time area

Example: number of pulses in one period is m

Figure III.6 Voltage time area for m-pulse rectifier

V t   Ecoswt 2E
m  2  VTA 
π w
mw
 π 
E 
 | 
mw 3E
VTA  π Ecoswtdt   sinwt m  3  VTA 
w  
π
 w

mw  mw 
E
m  6  VTA 
2E π w
VTA  sin
w m
 43

Example:

V  Esinwt
π
w
VTA  π Esinwtdt

w
E
VTA   cos π  cos α 
w
Figure III.7 VTA after α
E
VTA  cos α  1
w

α
w
VTA   Esinwtdt
0
E
VTA  1 - cos α 
w

Figure III.8 VTA at α

β
w
VTA  α Esinwtdt
w
E
VTA  cos α  cos β 
w

Figure III.9
VTA between α and β
 44

III.3 Classification of Rectifiers

According to the circuit operating rectifiers can be classified as;

1. Midpoint Rectifiers

Figure III.10 Single phase midpoint rectifier

2. Bridge Rectifiers

Figure III.11 Single-phase bridge rectifier

According to the type of the switching elements, rectifiers can be classified as;

1. Uncontrolled rectifiers (switching elements are diodes)

2. Full controlled rectifiers (switching elements are thyristors)
3. Half controlled rectifiers (switching elements are diodes & thyristors)
 45

III.4 Midpoint Rectifiers

III.4.1 Two Pulse Midpoint Rectifier

Figure III.12 2-Pulse midpoint rectifier

1. Resistive:

α=45˚
Figure III.13 Output voltage for 2-pulse midpoint rectifier with resistive load

Vd : mean output voltage

π
E
VTA  cos α  1 VTA   Esinwtdt
w α

E
VTA
cos α  1  E
Vd 
π
 w
π
 cos α  1 
π
w w
 46

2. Inductive:
a. L is small;

Figure III.14 Output voltage for 2-pulse midpoint rectifier with inductive load for small L

b. L is very large (L→∞)(Highly inductive load)

Figure III.15 Output and thyristor voltage for 2-pulse midpoint rectifier with inductive load for
large L

E
VTA  A  B  cos α  1  E cos0  cos α 
w w 2E
2E cosα
VTA 2E
VTA  cos α Vd   w  cosα
w π π π
w w
 47

III.4.2 Two Pulse Midpoint Rectifier With FWD

Figure III.16 2-Pulse midpoint rectifier with FWD

Figure III.17 Reference voltages and currents for 2-pulse midpoint rectifier with FWD
 48

III.4.3 Three Phase Midpoint Rectifier

Figure III.18 Three phase midpoint rectifier

Figure III.19 Output voltage for three phase midpoint rectifier

Figure III.20 Output current for three phase midpoint rectifier

VTA  A - B
E E
 cos 30  α   cos180   cos0  cos α  30 
w w
E
 cos 30  α   1  1  cos α  30 
w
E 3E
 cos30cos α  cos α
w w
3E
cos α
VTA 3 3E
Vd   w  cos α
2π 2π w
3w 3w
 49

Figure III.21 Input current for Figure III.22 Primary current for
three phase midpoint rectifier three phase midpoint rectifier

Figure III.23 Primary current for three phase midpoint rectifier

III.4.4 Three Phase Midpoint Rectifier With FWD

Figure III.24 Reference voltage and currents for three phase

midpoint rectifier with FWD
 50

III.4.5 Six Pulse Midpoint Rectifier

α = 30˚

Figure III.25 Six pulse midpoint rectifier

The secondary windings are split into two identical parts wound in opposite
direction.
Each thyristor conducts for 60˚.

Figure III.26 Output voltage for six pulse midpoint rectifier

6E π 3E
α  30  Vd  .sin cosα  cosα
π 6 π
 51

Figure III.27 Thyristor and primary current for six pulse midpoint rectifier

If a FWD is connected across the load, for 60    120 the output voltage
waveform is modified.
6E
Vd   1 cos   3E  1 cos  where   120   , 60    120
2π π

Figure III.28 Vd &  characteristics for mid-point rectifier

Vd  mE . sin π . cosα  Vd0 . cosα

2π m
 52

Example: A 3- MP rectifier fed by a Y-Y connected , 3- , 380 Vrms line
transformation supplies a passive load with a very large inductive component . The
mean voltage across the load has to be varied between the max & min limit of 363V &
181,5V respectively.
a) Determine the optimum value trans. turns ratio & the upper limit for the firing
angle. What should be the min. value VDWM & VRWM ratings of the rectifier thyristors?
b) For a load current of 20A & α  45 draw the output voltage, any one thyristor
voltage & the primary and secondary currents.
c) Calculate Vd & the rms value of the primary current.
d) Repeat parts b & c of a FWD is connected.
e) Now suppose that gate pulse of one thyristor is applied a delay of 15. Draw V0
and calculate Vd. (For this case FWD is disconnected)
Solution:

a) Vd  3E 3 cosα (Suppose Vd max is obtained for  = 0)

π 2

363  3 3 . 380 .n 2 (Suppose turn ratio is 1: n)

2π 3
 n  2  1,41
Vd  Vdo .cosα  181,5  363.cosα  α  60 . α changes between 0 and 60

Figure III.29 Input voltage for 3-

MP rectifier

VRWM = peak value of secondary line voltage

VRWM  380. 2 . 2  760 Volt

 53

b)

(a) Output voltage for load current of (b) One thyristor voltage for load current of
20A & α=45˚ 20A & α=45˚

(c) Primary current for load current of (d) Secondary current for load current of
20A & α=45˚ 20A & α=45˚

Figure III.30 3- MP

rectifier

3 20.2π 1 20
VDWM  760. Is  .  A
2 av 3 2π 3

 20   20 
Ip   20  . 2  18,86A , Ip    . 2  9,43A
1  3  2  3 

c) Vd = 363. cos 45 = 257 V

 54

1  2 T 2 2T 
A rms  18,86 .  9,43 .   13,34A RMS Primary Current = 13,34 A
T  3 3 
d)

(a) Output voltage for load current of (b) One thyristor voltage for load current of
20A & α=45˚ with FWD 20A & α=45˚ with FWD

(c) Primary current for load current of (d) Secondary current for load current of
20A & α=45˚ with FWD 20A & α=45˚ with FWD
Figure III.31

20 - I m  2  16,5A  m .
 -I 2  8,25A  I
m

20.105
360
3E
V 
d 2π
 1 cosδ  3 . 760 . 1 cos105  264V
2π 3
1 
.16,52.105  8,252.255  13,38A

IA 
rms 360  

 363cos452  363cos60 
e) V     2315V
d  3 
 55

Example: Consider the following 3- Mid-Point rectifier where a misconnection exists
at phase C. Draw the output voltage and calculate its value if;
a) The switching elements are diodes
b) The switching elements are thyristors (assume that thyristors are triggered at an
angle of  = 30 as if there is no misconnection)
Solution:

Figure III.32 3- Mid-Point rectifier

with a misconnection exists at phase C

a)

Figure III.33 Output voltage for 3-

Mid-Point rectifier with a
misconnection exists at phase C when
the switching elements are diodes

Ε 2Ε π Ε Ε
Ι. 1  cos60  ΙΙ . .sin ΙΙΙ. 1  cos60  ΙV  V  1  cos30 
w w 6 w w
2.Ι  ΙΙ - 2.Ι.Ι
Vd   0,594 E
2π
w
 56

b)

Figure III.34 Output voltage for 3-

Mid-Point rectifier with a misconnection
exists at phase C when the switching
elements are thyristors

Ι  ΙΙ  ΙΙΙ  ΙΙ and  cancels each other

Ε
1  cos60
V  w  0,24 E
d 2π
w

III.5 Bridge Rectifiers

III.5.1 Single Phase Bridge Rectifier

Figure III.35 Single phase bridge

rectifier

(a) Output voltage for single phase (b) Source current for single phase
bridge rectifier bridge rectifier
 57

(c) Output current for single phase (d) Primary current for single phase
bridge rectifier bridge rectifier
Figure III.36

2E π 2E
V 
d
. sin .cosα  cosα continuous current 
π 2 π

III.5.2 Single Phase Bridge Rectifier With a FWD

Figure III.37
Single phase bridge rectifier
with a FWD Diode

(a) Output voltage for single phase bridge (b) Output current for single phase bridge
rectifier with a FWD diode rectifier with a FWD diode

Figure III.38
 58

mE 2E E
V 
d
 1  cosδ    1  cos( π - α    1  cosα 
2π 2π π

III.5.3 Single Phase Half-Controlled Bridge Rectifier

Figure III.39
Single phase half-controlled
bridge rectifier

(a) Output voltage for single phase (b) Thyristor voltage for single phase
half-controlled bridge rectifier half-controlled bridge rectifier

(c) Output current for single phase

half-controlled bridge rectifier
Figure III.40

This is the advantage of bridge to midpoint rectifiers because in midpoint VT  2 .

max
 59

III.5.4 Three Phase Uncontrolled Bridge Rectifier

Figure III.41
Three phase uncontrolled
bridge rectifier

Figure III.42
Output voltage for three
phase uncontrolled bridge
rectifier

III.5.5 Three Phase Fully-Controlled Bridge Rectifier

Figure III.43
Three phase fully-controlled
bridge rectifier
 60

Figure III.44
Output voltage for three phase
fully-controlled bridge rectifier

Va  V. cos wt , Vb  V. cos (wt - 120), Vc  V. cos (wt - 240 )

V  V  V  3.V.cos(wt 30)
ab a b
V  V  V  3.V.cos(wt- 90)
bc b c
V  V  V  3.V.cos(wt- 210)
ca c a

Figure III.45
Thyristor currents for three
phase fully-controlled bridge
rectifier

6E π 3E
V  .sin cosα  cosα where E is the peak value of the secondary line voltage.
d π 6 π
 61

Figure III.46
Secondary current for three phase
fully-controlled bridge rectifier

Τ  
  Τ  
 Ιd

Ιa rms   dt   Ι  I
Τ Τ  d  d


Figure III.47
Thyristor voltage for three phase
fully-controlled bridge rectifier

III.5.6 Three Phase Fully-Controlled Bridge Rectifier With FWD

Figure III.48
Three phase fully-controlled bridge rectifier with FWD

3E
FWD will be effective for 60<<120. V 
d
 1  cosδ  , δ  120 - α
π
 62

(a) Output voltage for three phase (b) Thyristor current for three phase
fully-controlled bridge rectifier with fully-controlled bridge rectifier with
FWD FWD

(c) Diode current for three phase (d) Secondary current for three phase
fully-controlled bridge rectifier with fully-controlled bridge rectifier with
FWD Figure III.49 FWD

- When T1 is OFF and T2 is conducting VT1 = Vab

- WhenT3 is conducting VT1 = Vac
- When FWD is conducting VT1 = Va
 63

(e) Thyristor voltage for three phase

fully-controlled bridge rectifier with
FWD

III.5.7 Three Phase Half-Controlled Bridge Rectifier

Figure III.50
Three phase half-controlled bridge
rectifier

(a)
Output voltage for three phase half-
controlled bridge rectifier

3Ε 3Ε
cosα  cos0
3Ε
Vd  π π  1  cosα 
2 2π
 64

(b)
Thyristor voltages for three phase
half-controlled bridge rectifier

(c)
Diode currents for three phase
half-controlled bridge rectifier

(d)
Secondary current for three
phase half-controlled bridge
rectifier

Figure III.51

Exercises draw the device voltages VT1 and VD 4.

III.6 Multiple Rectifier Circuits

Figure III.52 Multiple rectifier circuit in two direction working mode.

 65

Figure III.53 Multiple rectifier circuit in four quadrant operation

Two obtained 4-quadrant operation two rectifiers are used.

Figure III.54 Four quadrant operation

a) Single rectifier supplying a passive load (1 quadrant operation)
b) Single rectifier supplying an active load (2 quadrant operation)
c) Two rectifiers supplying an active load (4 quadrant operation)
Rectifiers can be used in parallel to supply higher currents or in series to supply
higher voltages.
Parallel operation of two 3- midpoint rectifiers to obtain a 6 pulse output waveform.
 66

Figure III.55 Parallel operation of two 3- midpoint rectifiers

Figure III.56 Parallel operation of two 3- midpoint rectifiers’ output waveform

The rectifiers are shifted by 60.

Ι Ι
I1  d  Ι m , I2  d  Ιm
2 2
 V  Vd2  Vd1  Vd2
The voltage on the reactor is Vd1 – Vd2, the V0  Vd1   d1 
   

Figure III.57 Diode currents of two 3- midpoint rectifiers