CONTROLLED RECTIFIERS

M ROY

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
JADAVPUR UNIVERSITY
KOLKATA-700032
 CONTROLLED RECTIFIERS
• Controlled rectifiers are line commutated ac to dc power converters which are used to
convert a fixed voltage, fixed frequency ac power supply into variable dc output voltage.

• By employing phase controlled thyristors (silicon controlled rectifier; SCR) in the controlled
rectifier circuits we can obtain variable dc output voltage and variable dc (average) output
current by varying the trigger angle (phase angle) at which the thyristors are triggered. We
obtain a uni-directional and pulsating load current waveform, which has a specific average
value.
• The thyristors are forward biased during the positive half cycle of input supply and can be
turned ON by applying suitable gate trigger pulses at the thyristor gate leads.
• The thyristor current and the load current begin to flow once the thyristors are triggered
(turned ON) say at 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼. The load current flows when the thyristors conduct from
𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼 𝑡𝑜 𝛽. The output voltage across the load follows the input supply voltage through the
conducting thyristor.
• At 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛽 when the load current falls to zero, the thyristors turn off due to AC line (natural)
commutation.

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 CONTROLLED RECTIFIERS
Different types of line commutated converters are:
– Phase controlled rectifiers which are AC to DC converters.
– AC voltage controllers, which convert input ac voltage into variable ac output voltage at
the same frequency.
– Cyclo converters, which give low output frequencies.
• All these power converters operate from ac power supply at a fixed r.m.s input supply voltage
and at a fixed input supply frequency. Hence they use ac line commutation for turning off the
thyristors after they have been triggered ON by the gating signals.
APPLICATIONS OF PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIERS
• DC motor control in steel mills, paper and textile mills employing dc motor drives.
• AC fed traction system using dc traction motor.
• Electro-chemical and electro-metallurgical processes.
• Magnet power supplies.
• Reactor controls.
• Portable hand tool drives.
• Variable speed industrial drives.
• Battery charges.
• High voltage DC transmission.
• Uninterruptible power supply systems (UPS).
AYAN KUMAR TUDU
 CONTROLLED RECTIFIERS
• Some years back ac to dc power conversion was achieved using motor generator sets, mercury
arc rectifiers, and thyratorn tubes. The modern ac to dc power converters are designed using
high power, high current thyristors and presently most of the ac-dc power converters are
thyristorised power converters.
• The thyristor devices are phase controlled to obtain a variable dc output voltage across the
output load terminals. The phase controlled thyristor converter uses ac line commutation
(natural commutation) for commutating (turning off) the thyristors that have been turned ON.
• The phase controlled converters are simple and less expensive and are widely used in
industrial applications for industrial dc drives.
• These converters are classified as two quadrant converters if the output voltage can be
made either positive or negative for a given polarity of output load current. There are also
single quadrant ac-dc converters where the output voltage is only positive and cannot be
made negative for a given polarity of output current. Of course single quadrant converters can
also be designed to provide only negative dc output voltage.
• The two quadrant converter operation can be achieved by using fully controlled bridge
converter circuit and for single quadrant operation we use a half controlled bridge converter.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 CONTROLLED RECTIFIERS
PHASE
CONTROLLED
RECTIFIERS

Single Phase Three Phase

Controlled Controlled
Rectifiers Rectifiers

Three Phase Full

Half Wave Full Wave(FW) Three Phase
Wave
Controlled Controlled Half Controlled
Controlled

FW with centre FW with bridge

Three phase Three Phase Full
tapped controlled
Semi Converter Converter
transformer rectifiers

Single phase Single phase full

semi-converter converter

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER

1. During the positive half cycle of

input supply when the upper end
of the transformer secondary is at
a positive potential with respect
to the lower end, the thyristor
anode is positive with respect to
its cathode and the thyristor is in
a forward biased state.
Fig. 1

3. The input supply voltage

2. The thyristor is triggered at appears across the load when the
a delay angle of 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼 , by thyristor conducts from
applying a suitable gate 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼 𝑡𝑜 𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠. Output
trigger pulse to the gate lead voltage 𝑣𝑜 = 𝑣𝑆 , when SCR
of the thyristor. conducts from
After which the SCR 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼 𝑡𝑜 𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠
(assuming ideal condition) is
triggered it starts to behave AYAN KUMAR TUDU
like a closed switch
SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER

• The output load current waveform is

similar to the output load voltage
waveform during the thyristor
conduction time from 𝛼 𝑡𝑜 𝜋 .
• The output voltage and output
current are in phase for a resistive
load.
• The load current increases as the
input supply voltage increases and
the maximum load current flows at
𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋 2, when the input supply
voltage is at its maximum.

And

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Fig. 2
SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER

• During the negative half cycle of

input supply when the supply voltage
reverses and becomes negative
during 𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋 𝑡𝑜 2𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠, the
anode of thyristor is at a negative
potential with respect to its cathode
and as a result the thyristor is reverse
biased and hence it remains cut-off.
• An ideal thyristor under reverse
biased condition behaves as an open
switch and hence the load current
and load voltage are zero during this
period.
• The maximum or peak reverse
voltage that appears across the
thyristor anode and cathode
terminals is 𝑉𝑚 .

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Fig. 2
SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER
• The delay angle α is measured from
the beginning of each positive half
cycle to the time instant when the gate
trigger pulse is applied.
• The thyristor conduction angle is from
𝛼 𝑡𝑜 𝜋, hence the conduction angle
𝛿 = 𝜋 − 𝛼.
• The maximum conduction angle is π
radians when the delay angle α = 0.

Since both the voltage and current are in

the same polarity hence this rectifier can
be faithfully taken to operate in the First
quadrant.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Fig. 2
 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER
The average DC output voltage for this rectifier can be found from the following expression

Where Vs = RMS value of input

ac supply voltage across
transformer.

The maximum average (dc) output voltage is obtained when α = 0 and the maximum dc output
voltage 𝑉𝑑𝑚 = 𝑉𝑚 𝜋 . The average dc output voltage can be varied by varying the trigger angle α
from 0 to a maximum of 180° (π radians).

The normalized output voltage

or,

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER
The rms output voltage is given by

Solving the above equation yields

PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS OF PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER

1. Output dc power (average or dc output power delivered to the load)

Where Vdc average or dc value of

output (load) voltage and Idc average or
dc value of output(load) current.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER
2. Output ac power

3. Rectification ratio (or efficiency) :

The output voltage can be considered as being composed of two components

• The dc component Vo(dc) = DC or average value of output voltage.
• The ac component or the ripple component Vac =Vr(rms) = RMS value of all the ac ripple
components.
The total RMS value of output voltage is given by:

hence

4. Form Factor:

5. Ripple Factor:

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 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER
6. Transformer Utilization Factor:

Where , Vs = RMS value of transformer secondary output voltage (RMS supply voltage at the
secondary) and Is = RMS value of transformer secondary current (RMS line or supply current).

7. Displacement Factor (DF) or Fundamental Power Factor

8. Harmonic Factor (HF) or Total Harmonic Distortion Factor (THD): The harmonic factor is a
measure of the distortion in the output waveform and is also referred to as the total harmonic
distortion (THD)

Where Is = RMS value of input supply current, Is1 = RMS value of fundamental component of the
input supply current.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER

Fig.3

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER
WITH RL LOAD
• The thyristor T1is forward biased
during the positive half cycle of
input supply.
• T1 is triggered at 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼, by
applying a suitable gate trigger
pulse to T1 during the (+) ve half
cycle of input supply.

Fig.4

• The output voltage across the load

follows the input supply voltage • Due to the inductance in the load, the load
when T1 is ON. current io flowing through T1 would not fall
• The load current flows through the to zero at 𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋 , when the input supply
thyristor T1and through the load in voltage starts to become negative.
the downward direction. • A phase shift appears between the load
• This load current pulse flowing voltage and the load current waveforms, due
through T1 can be considered as the to the load inductance.
positive current pulse

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER
WITH RL LOAD
• The thyristor T1 will continue to
conduct the load current until all
the inductive energy stored in the
load inductor L is completely
utilized and the load current
through T1 falls to zero at
𝜔𝑡 = 𝛽, where β is the Extinction
angle.
Fig.4 • The extinction angle β is
measured from the point of the
beginning of the positive half
• The thyristor T1 conducts from cycle of input supply to the point
𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼 𝑡𝑜 𝛽 . where the load current falls to
• The conduction angle of T1 is zero.
𝛿 = (𝛽 − 𝛼), which depends on
the delay angle α and the load
impedance angle φ

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER
WITH RL LOAD

Fig.6 Output (load) voltage waveform of a single

phase half wave controlled rectifier with RL load

β is the extinction angle which depends upon the load

inductance value.

Note:
Fig.5 Input Supply Voltage and
Thyristor current waveforms.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER
WITH RL LOAD
TO DERIVE AN EXPRESSION FOR THE OUTPUT (INDUCTIVE LOAD) CURRENT,
WHEN THYRISTOR CONDUCTS:
Instantaneous value of the input supply voltage =
Let us assume that the thyristor is triggered by applying the gating signal to it at 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼.
The load current which flows through the thyristor during 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼 𝑡𝑜 𝛽 can be found from the
equation:

The solution of the above differential equation gives the general expression for the output load
current which is of the form:

Where, 𝑉𝑚 = 2 𝑉𝑆 = maximum or peak value of input supply voltage.

Z  R 2  ( L) 2  Load Impedance.
 L 
 = tan 1    Load Impedance angle(p.f angle)
 R 
L
=  Load Circuit time constant.
R AYAN KUMAR TUDU
 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER
WITH RL LOAD
Therefore the general expression for the output load current is given by the equation:

The value of the constant A1 can be determined from the initial condition. i.e. initial value of load
current 𝑖𝑜 = 0, at 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼.

Substituting this value of A1 in the original equation of io we get

; where 𝛼 ≤ 𝜔𝑡 ≤ 𝛽

To Calculate the extinction angle:

The extinction angle β , which is the value of ωt at which the load current falls to zero and the
SCR is turned off can be estimated by using the condition that io= 0, at ωt = β.
By using the above expression for the output load current, we can write

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE PHASE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER
WITH RL LOAD
We arrive at the following expression

The extinction angle β can be determined from this transcendental equation by using the iterative
method of solution (trial and error method). After β is calculated, we can determine the thyristor
conduction angle 𝛿 = β − 𝛼.
Conduction angle δ increases as α is decreased for a specific value of β. Conduction angle for a
purely resistive load or for an RL load when the load inductance L is negligible the extinction
angle β =π and the conduction angle δ = (π −α).
Average (DC) load voltage:

During the conduction

period, the instantaneous
output voltage is
negative. This reduces
Average (DC) load current: the average dc output
voltage when compared
to a purely resistive load

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER WITH RL
LOAD AND FREE WHEELING DIODE

Fig.7
• During this free wheeling time
period the load is shorted by the
conducting FWD and the load
voltage is almost zero, if the
forward voltage drop across the
conducting FWD is neglected.
Thus there is no negative region
in the load voltage wave form.
This improves the average
output voltage.
• The average output voltage is
the same as that of a purely
resistive load. The output
voltage across the load appears
similar to the output voltage of Fig.8
AYAN KUMAR TUDU
a purely resistive load.
 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER WITH RL
LOAD AND FREE WHEELING DIODE
Note:
• If the inductance value is not very large, the energy stored in the inductance is able to
maintain the load current only upto ωt = β , where π < β < 2π , well before the next gate pulse
and the load current tends to become discontinuous.
• During the conduction period α to π , the load current is carried by the SCR and during the
free wheeling period π to β , the load current is carried by the free wheeling diode.
• The value of β depends on the value of R and L and the forward resistance of the FWD.
Generally π < β < 2π.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER WITH RL
LOAD AND FREE WHEELING DIODE

Fig. 9Waveform of Load Current in Single Phase Half Wave Controlled

Rectifier with a Large Inductance and FWD

It is to be noted that
• The load current becomes continuous and the load current does not fall to zero for large value
of load inductance.
• The ripple in the load current waveform (the amount of variation in the output load current)
decreases.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE CONTROLLED RECTIFIER

Disadvantages Of Single Phase Half Wave Controlled Rectifiers:

• Low dc output voltage.
• Low dc output power and lower efficiency.
• Higher ripple voltage & ripple current.
• Low transformer utilization factor.
• The input supply current waveform has a dc component which can result in dc
saturation of the transformer core.

• Single phase half wave controlled rectifiers are rarely used in practice. The above
disadvantages of a single phase half wave controlled rectifier can be over come by
using a full wave controlled rectifier circuit. Most of the practical converter circuits
use full wave controlled rectifiers.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 SINGLE PHASE HALF WAVE CONTROLLED
RECTIFIER

Gating Sequence:
1.Generate a pulse signal at the positive zero
crossing of the supply voltage vs.
2.Delay the pulse by the desired angle α and
apply it between the gate and cathode
terminals of T1 through a gate-isolating circuit.

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 Single Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier
• Thyristors T1 and T2 are fired together
while T3 and T4 are fired 180º after T1 and
T2. From the circuit diagram it is clear that
for any load current to flow at least one
thyristor from the top group (T1, T3) and
one thyristor from the bottom group (T2,
T4) must conduct.
• It is possible that at a given moment none
of the thyristors conduct. This situation
will typically occur when the load current
becomes zero in between the firings of
T1T2 and T3T4.
• The figure above shows the circuit • Once the load current becomes zero all
diagram of a single phase fully controlled thyristors remain off. In this mode the load
bridge converter. It is one of the most current remains zero. Consequently the
popular converter circuits and is widely converter is said to be operating in the
used in the speed control of separately discontinuous conduction mode.
excited dc machines. Indeed, the R–L–E
load shown in this figure may represent
the electrical equivalent circuit of a
separately excited dc motor. AYAN KUMAR TUDU
 Single Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier
Mode T1 T2 T3 T4 Vo
/Device
T1T2 0 0 -vi -vi vi
T3T4 vi vi 0 0 -vi
None 𝑣𝑖 − 𝐸 𝑣𝑖 + 𝐸 -
𝑣𝑖 +𝐸
-
𝑣𝑖 +𝐸 E
2 2
2 2

• The table above shows the voltage across different devices and the dc output voltage
during each of these conduction modes.
• It is to be noted that whenever T1 and T2 conducts, the voltage across T3 and T4
becomes –vi. Therefore T3 and T4 can be fired only when vi is negative i.e, over the
negative half cycle of the input supply voltage. Similarly T1 and T2 can be fired only
over the positive half cycle of the input supply.
• The voltage across the devices when none of the thyristors conduct depends on the
off state impedance of each device.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Single Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier
Continuous Conduction Mode:
• In the continuous conduction mode of
operation i0 never becomes zero, therefore,
either T1T2 or T3T4 conducts.
• Fig alongside shows the waveforms of
different variables in the steady state.
• The firing angle of the converter is α. The
angle θ is given by
E
sin  
Vm
• It is assumed that at t = 0- T3T4 was
conducting. As T1T2 are fired at ωt = α they
turn ON commutating T3T4 immediately.
T3T4 are again fired at ωt = π + α. Till this
point T1T2 conducts.
• It is observed that the emf source E is
greater than the dc link voltage till ωt = α.
Therefore, the load current i0 continues to
fall till this point.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Single Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier
• However, as T1T2 are fired at this point v0
becomes greater than E and i0 starts
increasing through R-L and E.
• At ωt = π – θ v0 again equals E. Depending
upon the load circuit parameters i0 reaches
its maximum at around this point and starts
falling afterwards.
• Continuous conduction mode will be
possible only if i0 remains greater than zero
till T3T4 are fired at ωt = π + α where upon
the same process repeats.
• The input ac current waveform i1 is
obtained from i0 by noting that whenever
T1T2 conducts i1 = i0 and i1 = - i0 whenever
T3T4 conducts.
• It is to be noted that when the thyristor
turns off at ωt = π + α a negative voltage is
applied across it for a duration of π – α. The
thyristor must turn off during this interval
for successful operation of the converter.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Single Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier
• It is noted that the dc voltage waveform is periodic over half the input cycle.
Therefore, it can be expressed in a Fourier series as follows.

vo  Voav    van cos 2nt  vbn sin 2nt 
n 1
Where,
 
1 2Vm
Voav 
 

vo d t 

cos 

2  2Vm  cos(2n  1) cos(2n  1) 

van 
 
0
vo cos 2ntd t  
  2n  1

2n  1 
2  2Vm  sin(2n  1) sin(2n  1) 
 0
vbn  vo sin 2ntd t  
  2n  1 2n  1 
Therefore the rms value of the nth harmonic

RMS value of v0 can of course be computed directly from.

1   Vm
VORMS 
  v02 d t 
2 AYAN KUMAR TUDU
 Single Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier

Fourier series expression of v0 is important because it provides a simple method of

estimating individual and total RMS harmonic current injected into the load as follows:
• The impedance offered by the load at nth harmonic frequency is given by

• From the above equations it can be argued that in an inductive circuit as

fast as 1/n2.
• So in practice it will be sufficient to consider only first few harmonics to obtain a
reasonably accurate estimate of IOHRMS.
• However to obtain the current rating of the device to be used it is necessary to find
out a closed form expression of i0. This will also help to establish the condition
under which the converter will operate in the continuous conduction mode.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Single Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier
In the interval 𝛼 ≤ 𝜔𝑡 ≤ 𝜋 + 𝛼
dio
L  Rio  E  Vm sin t
dt
The general solution is given by
t  
 Vm  sin  
i0  Ie tan 
  sin( t   )  
Z  cos  
Where L
Z  R 2   2 L2 ; tan   ; E  Vm sin  ; R  Z cos 
R
Now at steady state i0 t   i0 t   since i0 is periodic over the chosen interval.
Using this boundary condition we obtain,
 t   
Vm  2sin      tan  sin  
i0  e  sin(t   ) 
Z  
tan 
cos  
 1 e 
The input current i1 is related to i0 as follows
i1  i0 for    t   +
i1  i0 otherwise

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Single Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier

 It will be of interest to find out a Fourier

series expression of i1. However, using
actual expression for i1 will lead to
exceedingly complex calculation.
Significant simplification can be made
by replacing i0 with its average value I0.
 This will be justified provided the load is
highly inductive and the ripple on i0 is
negligible compared to I0.
 Under this assumption the idealized
waveform of i1 becomes a square wave
with transitions at ωt = α and ωt = α + π
as shown in the fig. alongside. Ii1 is the
fundamental component of this idealized
i1.

Now &

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Single Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier

Therefore the input current distortion factor =

The input power factor

• Therefore, the rectifier appears as a lagging

power factor load to the input ac system.
Larger the „α‟ poorer is the power factor.
• The input current also contain significant
amount of harmonic current and therefore
appears as a harmonic source to the utility.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Single Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier
Operation in the discontinuous conduction mode:
If the value of R, L and E are such that i0 becomes zero before ωt = π + α the
conduction becomes discontinuous. Obviously then, at the boundary between
continuous and discontinuous conduction the minimum value of i0 which occurs at ωt
= α and ωt = π + α will be zero. Using these two boundary conditions we obtain the
condition for continuous conduction as.

 In this conduction mode i0 starts rising

from zero as T1T2 are fired at ωt = α.
The load current continues to increase
till ωt = π – θ.
 After this, the output voltage v0 falls
below the emf E and i0 decreases till ωt
= β when it becomes zero.
 Since the thyristors cannot conduct
current in the reverse direction i0
remains at zero till ωt = π + α when T3
and T4 are fired.
 During the period β ≤ ωt ≤ π + α none
of the thyristors conduct. During this
period v0 attains the value E.
 Single Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier

It is observed that the performance of the converter is strongly affected by the

value of β. The value of β in terms of the load parameters (i.e, θ, φ and Z) and α
can be found as follows:
di
In the interval 𝛼 ≤ 𝜔𝑡 ≤ 𝛽 L o  Rio  E  Vm sin t
dt
i0 t   0
From which the solution of i0 can be written as

Vm  
t    t   
 sin  
tan  
i0  sin(   )e tan 
 1  e   sin(t   ) 
Z  cos   
  

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Single Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier

 t   
sin  
t    
tan  
Vm  
i0  sin(   )e tan 
 1  e   sin(t   ) 
Z  cos    
 

Now i0 t    0

Given φ, α and θ, the value of β can be found by solving the above equation.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Single Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier

Gating Sequence:
1. Generate a pulse signal at the positive zero crossing
of the supply voltage vs.
2. Delay the pulse by the desired angle α and apply it
between the gate and cathode terminals of T1 and T2
through a gate-isolating circuits.
3. Generate another pulse of delay angle α+π and apply
the same pulse between the gate and source terminals
of T3 and T4 through gate-isolating circuits.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 TWO QUADRANT OPERATION OF A SINGLE PHASE FULL
CONVERTER

 The figure alongside shows the two regions

of single phase full converter operation in
the Vdc vs Idc plane.
 In the first quadrant when the trigger angle α
is less than 90°, Vdc & Idc are both positive
and the converter operates as a controlled
rectifier and converts the ac input power
into dc output power. The power flows from
the input source to the load circuit. This is
the normal controlled rectifier operation
where Pdc is positive.

 When the trigger angle is increased above 90°, Vdc becomes negative but Idc is positive
and the average output power Pdc becomes negative and the power flows from the
load circuit to the input source. The operation occurs in the fourth quadrant. The
converter operates as a line commutated inverter.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 TWO QUADRANT OPERATION OF A SINGLE PHASE FULL
CONVERTER

 So it may be tempting to conclude that the same converter circuit may be operated as
an inverter by just increasing α beyond 90° .
 This might have been true had it been possible to maintain continuous conduction for
α < 90° without making any modification to the converter or load connection.
 To supply power, the load EMF source can be utilized. However the connection of
this source is such that it can only absorb power but can not supply it.
 In fact, if an attempt is made to supply power to the ac side (by making α > 90° ) the
energy stored in the load inductor will be exhausted and the current will become
discontinuous as shown in the Fig. A in the next slide. Therefore for sustained
inverter mode of operation the connection of E must be reversed as shown in Fig. B.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 TWO QUADRANT OPERATION OF A SINGLE PHASE FULL
CONVERTER

Fig. B . Circuit connection in the

inverter mode
Discontinuous mode of operation

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Waveforms in the Inverter mode of operation

(a)
(b) Discontinuous conduction
(a)Continuous conduction AYAN KUMAR TUDU
 Waveforms in the Inverter mode of operation

• Fig (a) and (b) in the previous slide shows

the waveforms of the inverter operating in
continuous conduction mode and
discontinuous conduction mode
respectively. Analysis of the converter
remains unaltered from the rectifier mode
of operation provided θ is defined as shown
in the rectifier mode of operation.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Single phase Semi-Converters

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Single phase Semi-Converters
• Single phase semi-converter circuit is a full wave half controlled bridge converter
which uses two thyristors and two diodes connected in the form of a full wave bridge
configuration.
• The two thyristors are controlled power switches which are turned on one after the
other by applying suitable gating signals (gate trigger pulses). The two diodes are
uncontrolled power switches which turn-on and conduct one after the other as and
when they are forward biased.
• The circuit diagram of a single phase semi-converter (half controlled bridge
converter) is shown in the previous slide with highly inductive load and a dc source in
the load circuit. When the load inductance is large the load current flows continuously
and we can consider the continuous load current operation assuming constant load
current, with negligible current ripple (i.e., constant and ripple free load current
operation).
• The ac supply to the semi-converter is normally fed through a mains supply
transformer having suitable turns ratio. The transformer is suitably designed to supply
the required ac supply voltage (secondary output voltage) to the converter.
• In this converter both the output voltage and current has positive polarity. This
converter has better PF than a full converter due to the free wheeling diode and is
commonly used in applications upto 15 kW, where one quadrant operation is
acceptable.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Single phase Semi-Converters
• During the positive half cycle of input ac supply
voltage, when the transformer secondary output
line „A‟ is positive with respect to the line „B‟ the
thyristor T1 and Diode D2 are both forward
biased.
• The thyristor T1 is triggered at 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼
(0≤ 𝛼 ≤ 𝜋) ; by applying an appropriate gate
trigger signal to the gate of T1.
• The current in the circuit flows through the
secondary line „A‟, through T1, through the load
in the downward direction, through diode D2 back
to the secondary line „B‟.
• T1 and D2 conduct together from 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼 𝑡𝑜 𝜋
and the load is connected to the input ac supply.
The output load voltage follows the input supply
voltage (the secondary output voltage of the
transformer) during the period 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼 𝑡𝑜 𝜋 .
• At 𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋 the input supply voltage decreases to
zero and becomes negative during the period
𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋 𝑡𝑜 (𝜋 + 𝛼)
• The free wheeling diode Dm across the load
becomes forward biased and conducts during the
period 𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋 𝑡𝑜 𝜋 + 𝛼 .
Single phase Semi-Converters
• The load current is transferred from T1 and D2 to
the freewheeling diode(FWD) Dm.
• The load current flows continuously through the
FWD during the free wheeling time period
𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋 𝑡𝑜 𝜋 + 𝛼 .
• During the negative half cycle of input supply
voltage the secondary line „A‟ becomes negative
with respect to line „B‟.
• The thyrisotr T2 and D1 are both forward biased.
• T2 is triggered at 𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋 + 𝛼, during the negative
half cycle.
• The FWD is reverse biased and turns-off as soon
as T2 is triggered.
• The load current continues to flow through T2 and
D1 during the period 𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋 + 𝛼 to 2π .
 Single phase Semi-Converters
• The average output voltage : =

• Vdc can be varied from 2𝑉𝑚 𝜋 to 0. The maximum average out put voltage is
𝑉𝑑𝑚 = 2𝑉𝑚 𝜋 and the normalized average output voltage with respect to its maximum
value is

• The rms output voltage is

 Single phase Semi-Converters with RL load

• In practice, a load has a finite inductance. The load current depends on the values of
load resistance R, load inductance L and battery voltage E. The converter operation
can be divided into two modes: mode 1 and mode 2.
Mode 1:
• This mode is valid for 0 ≤ 𝜔𝑡 ≤ 𝛼, during which the FWD diode Dm conducts. The
load current iL1 during mode 1 is described by
diL1
L  RiL1  E  0 ……Eq. (i)
dt
Which, with initial condition iL1 (𝜔𝑡 = 0) = IL0 in the steady state, gives
E
iL1  I L 0 e  ( R L )t 
(1  e  ( R L )t ) for iL1  0 ……Eq. (ii)
R
At the end of this mode at 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼, the load current becomes IL1. That is
E
I L1  iL1 t     I L 0 e
 R L     R L   
 1  e  for I L1  0 ……Eq. (iii)
R  

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Single phase Semi-Converters with RL load

Mode 2:
• This mode is valid for 𝛼 ≤ 𝜔𝑡 ≤ 𝜋, during which the thyristor T1 conducts. If 𝑣𝑠 =
𝑉𝑚 sin𝜔𝑡 is the input voltage, the load current iL2 during mode 2 can be described as
diL 2
L  RiL 2  E  Vm sin t  0 for iL 2  0 ……Eq. (iv)
dt
Whose solution is of the form
Vm E
iL 2  sin t     A1e  ( R L )t - for iL 2  0 ……Eq. (v)
Z R
where
Z  R 2  l  and load impedance angle  =tan -1  L R 
2

Constant A1, which can be determined from the initial condition: at 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼, 𝑖𝐿2 = IL1, is

 E Vm  ( R L)  
A1   I L1   sin(   )  e  
 R Z 

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Single phase Semi-Converters with RL load

Substitution of A1 yields,

Vm E  E V  ( R L )   t 
iL 2  sin t       I L1   m sin(   )  e  For iL2 ≥ 0
Z R  R Z 
……Eq. (vi)

At the end of mode 2 in the steady condition: 𝐼𝐿2 (𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋) = 𝐼𝐿0 .

Applying this condition to Eq. (ii) and solving for IL0, we get
Vm sin(   )  sin(   )e( R L )(  ) /  E ……Eq. (vii)
I L0   ( R L ) /  

Z 1 e R
for I L 0  0 and     
The rms current of a thyristor can be found from the Eq. (vi) as
 12
 1 2 
I R    iL 2 d t  
……Eq. (viii)

 2  

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Single phase Semi-Converters with RL load

The average current of a thyristor can be found from Eq. (vi) as


1
iL 2 d t 
……Eq. (ix)
IA  
2 
The rms output current can be found from Eq.(ii) and Eq. (vi) as

  12
 2 2 2 2 
I rms    iL1d t    i L 2 d  t  
 2 0 2  
The average output current can be found from Eq.(ii) and Eq. (vi) as

 
1 1
I dc   iL1d t    iL1d t  ……Eq. (xi)
2 0 2 

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Single phase Semi-Converters with RL load

Discontinuous Load Current:

• By letting 𝐼𝐿0 = 0 in Eq. (vii), diving by 𝑉𝑚 𝑍 and substituting R/Z = cosθ and
ωL/R =tanθ , we get the critical value of voltage ratio 𝑥 = 𝐸 2 Vab as

    
 
 sin(   )  sin(   )e  tan  

x     cos 
 
 1 e  tan   
 
Which can be solved for the corresponding critical value of 𝛼 = 𝛼𝑐 for known values
of x and θ.
• For 𝛼 ≥ 𝛼𝑐 , IL1 =0. The load current that is described by Eq.(vi) flows only during
the period 𝛼 ≤ 𝜔𝑡 ≤ 𝛽. At 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛽, the load current falls to zero again.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Single Phase Controlled Rectifiers
Gating Sequence:
• Generate a pulse signal at the positive zero crossing
of the supply voltage vs.
• Delay the pulse by the desired angles α and α+π for
gating T1 and T2 through a gate-isolating circuits.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Conclusion of Single Phase Controlled Rectifiers
• Single phase half controlled bridge converters & fully
controlled bridge converters are used extensively in
industrial applications up to about 15kW of output
power.
• The output ripple frequency is equal to the twice the
ac supply frequency. The single phase full wave
controlled rectifiers provide two output pulses during
every input supply cycle and hence are referred to as
two pulse converters.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three Phase Controlled Rectifiers
• The three phase fully controlled bridge converter has been probably the most
widely used power electronic converter in the medium to high power applications.
Three phase circuits are preferable when large power is involved.
• In phase controlled rectifiers though the output voltage can be varied continuously
the load harmonic voltage increases considerably as the average value goes down.
Of course the magnitude of harmonic voltage is lower in three phase converter
compared to the single phase circuit.
• Since the frequency of the harmonic voltage is higher smaller load inductance leads
to continuous conduction. Input current wave shape become rectangular and contain
5th and higher order odd harmonics.
• The frequency of the harmonic voltage and current can be increased by increasing
the pulse number of the converter which can be achieved by series and parallel
connection of basic 6 pulse converters. The control circuit become considerably
complicated and the use of coupling transformer and / or interphase reactors
become mandatory.
• Three phase controlled rectifiers are extensively used in high power variable speed
industrial dc drives.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Half Wave Converter
• Three single phase half-wave converters are connected together to form a three
phase half-wave converter as shown in the figure below.

• The 3-phase half wave converter combines three single phase half wave controlled
rectifiers in one single circuit feeding a common load.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Half Wave Converter
• When thyristor T1 is triggered
at 𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋 6 + 𝛼 , the
phase voltage van appears
across the load when T1
conducts.
• The load current flows through
the supply phase winding “a-
n” and through thyristor T1 as
long as T1 conducts.
• When T2 is triggered at
𝜔𝑡 = 5𝜋 6 + 𝛼 , T1
becomes reverse biased
because the line-to-line
voltage, vab (=van-vbn), is
negative and T1 is turned OFF.
• The phase voltage vbn appears
across the load until T3 is fired.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Half Wave Converter
• When thyristor T3 is triggered
at 𝜔𝑡 = 3𝜋 2 + 𝛼 , T2
becomes reverse biased and is
turned OFF.
• The phase voltage vcn appears
across the load when T3
conducts until T1 is fired again
at the beginning of next cycle.
• Note: The figure alongside
shows the input voltages,
output voltage and current
through T1 for a highly
inductive load.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Half Wave Converter
• For a resistive load and 𝛼 > 𝜋 6, the load current would be discontinuous and each
thyristor is self commutated when the polarity of its phase voltage is reversed.
• The frequency of output ripple voltage is 3fs.
• This converter is not normally used in practical applications because the supply
currents contain dc components.
Expressions of average output voltage and rms output voltage:
• The reference phase voltage is van = Vmsinωt.
• The trigger angle α is measured from the cross over points of the 3-phase supply
voltage waveforms. When the phase supply voltage van begins its positive half cycle
at ωt = 0, the first cross over point appears at ωt = 𝜋 6 radians.
• The trigger angle α for the thyristor T1is measured from the cross over point at ωt =
𝜋 6.
• Thyristor T1 is forward biased during the period ωt = 𝜋 6 to 5𝜋 6, when the phase
supply voltage van has a higher amplitude than the other phase supply voltages.
• When the thyristor T1 is triggered at angle α , the average output voltage for
continuous load current is calculated using the equation Note: the output load voltage
3 5 6  3 3 waveform has three output
Vdc 
2  6 
Vm sin td (t ) 
2
Vm cos  pulses during the input cycle
of 2π radians
AYAN KUMAR TUDU
 Three phase Half Wave Converter
• Vm is the peak phase voltage.
• The maximum average output voltage that occurs at delay angle , α = 0 is

3 3
Vdm  Vm
2
Vdc
• The normalized average output voltage is Vn   cos 
Vdm
• The rms output voltage is found from
12
 3 5 6  
Vrms   V sin td t  
2 2

 2
m
6 

12

1 3 
= 3Vm   cos 2 
 6 8 

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Half Wave Converter
For resistive load and 𝛼>𝜋∕6
3  3Vm   
Vdc 
2  6 
Vm sin td (t ) 
2 

1  cos 
6
  


Vdc 1   
Vn   1  cos    
Vdm 3 6 

12
 3  
Vrms   Vm2 sin 2 td t  
 2 6 

12
5  1  
= 3Vm    sin   2  
 24 4 8 3 
Note: Due to the delay angle α, the fundamental component of input line current is also
delayed with respect to the input phase voltage.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Half Wave Controlled Converter

Gating Sequence:
• Generate a pulse signal at the positive zero crossing
of the phase voltage van. Delay the pulse by the
desired angle α+π/6 and apply it to the gate and
cathode terminals of T1 through a gate-isolating
circuit.
• Generate two more pulses of delay angles α+5π/6
and α+9π/6 for gating T2 and T3 through gate-
isolating circuits.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter
• These converters are extensively used in industrial applications up to 120 kW level
where a two quadrant operation is required.
• It uses six thyristors connected in the form of a full wave bridge configuration. All
the six thyristors are controlled switches which are turned ON at appropriate times
by applying suitable gate trigger signals.
• The thyristors are triggered at an interval of 𝜋 3 radians. (i.e. at an interval of 60° )
• The frequency of output ripple voltage is 6fs and the filtering requirement is less
than that of three phase semi and half wave converters.
• It will be clear from the output voltage and current waveforms that they are periodic
over one sixth of the input cycle. Therefore this converter is also called the “six
pulse” converter.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

(a) Circuit Diagram of Three Phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

For any current to flow in the

load at least one device from
the top group (T1, T3, T5) and
one from the bottom group
(T2, T4, T6) must conduct. It
can be argued as in the case of
an uncontrolled converter only
one device from these two
groups will conduct.

(a) Circuit Diagram of Three Phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter
• Then from symmetry
consideration it can be argued
that each thyristor conducts for
120° of the input cycle.
• Now the thyristors are fired in
the sequence T1 → T2 → T3 →
T4 → T5 → T6 → T1 with 60°
interval between each firing.
Therefore thyristors on the same
phase leg are fired at an interval
of 180° and hence can not
conduct simultaneously. This
leaves only six possible
conduction mode for the
converter in the continuous
conduction mode of operation.
These are T1T2, T2T3, T3T4, T4T5,
T5T6, T6T1. Each conduction
mode is of 60° duration and
appears in the sequence
mentioned.
AYAN KUMAR TUDU
Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

• The six sequences are T1T2, T2T3,

T3T4, T4T5, T5T6, T6T1. Each
conduction mode is of 60°
duration and appears in the
sequence mentioned.
• Consider the sequence T1T2 &
T2T3. As each conduction mode
is of 60° hence it can be
concluded that thyristor T2 is
conducting for 60° for sequence
T1T2 and again for 60° for
sequence T2T3. Therefore the
statement made previously “that
each thyristor conducts for 120°
of the input cycle” can be
justified.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter
The line to neutral voltages are defined as :

van  Vm sin t
2
vbn  Vm sin(t  )
3
2
vcn  Vm sin(t  )
3
The corresponding line-to- line voltages are defined as :

 
vab  van  vbn  3Vm sin  t  
 6
 
vbc  vbn  vcn  3Vm sin  t  
 2
 
vca  vcn  van  3Vm sin  t  
 2
AYAN KUMAR TUDU
Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

(b) Conduction Table of Three Phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter
• Each of the line voltages can be associated with the firing of a thyristor with the
help of the conduction table.
• For example the thyristor T1 is fired at the end of T5T6 conduction interval. During
this period the voltage across T1 was vac. Therefore T1 is fired α angle after the
positive going zero crossing of vac. Similar observation can be made about other
thyristors.

The phasor diagram

alongside also
confirms that all the
thyristors are fired
in the correct
sequence with 60°
interval between
each firing.

Phasor diagram of Line voltages.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter
To arrive at the waveforms
it is necessary to draw the
conduction diagram which
shows the interval of
conduction for each
thyristor and can be drawn
with the help of the phasor
diagram.

If the converter firing angle

is α, each thyristor is fired
“α” angle after the positive
going zero crossing of the
line voltage with which it’s
firing is associated. Once
the conduction diagram is
drawn all other voltage
waveforms can be drawn
from the line voltage
waveforms.
AYAN KUMAR TUDU
 Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

Vac Vbc Vba Vca Vcb Vab

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

Vac Vbc Vba Vca Vcb Vab

As the output voltage and current waveforms

are periodic over one sixth of the input cycle.
Therefore this converter is also called the “six
pulse” converter.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

Vac Vbc Vba Vca Vcb Vab

The input current on the other hand

contains only odds harmonics of the input
frequency other than the triplex (3rd , 9th ,
etc) harmonics

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

The average output voltage can be written as:

 2  
3 3 3
Vdc   vab d t   Vm cos 
  6 
The maximum average output voltage for delay angle, α=0, is

3 3
Vdm  Vm
 Vdc
The normalized average output voltage is Vn   cos 
Vdm
The rms value of the output voltage is
12
 3  / 2 2 2   
Vrms   3Vm sin  t   d t  
   / 6 
 6 
12
1 3 3 
= 3Vm   cos 2 
 2 4 
AYAN KUMAR TUDU
 Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

For 𝛼 > 𝜋/3 , the instantaneous output voltage has a negative part. Because the current
through the thyristors cannot be negative, the load current is positive. Thus, with a
resistive load, the instantaneous load voltage cannot be negative, and the full converter
behaves as a semiconverter.
Note: the PF is less than that of three-phase semiconverters but higher than that of three
phase half wave-converters..

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

• From the waveform figure of 3-phase controlled converter it can be observed that io
itself has a ripple at a frequency six times the input frequency.
• The closed from expression of i0, as will be seen later is some what complicated.
However, considerable simplification in the expression of ia can be obtained if i0 is
replaced by its average value I0. This approximation will be valid provided the
ripple on i0 is small, i.e, the load is highly inductive.
• The modified input current waveform will then be ia which can be expressed in
terms of a fourier series as

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter

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 Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter-Inverter mode

To find out the condition for continuous conduction it is noted that in the limiting
case of continuous conduction.

Now if then i0 is minimum at ωt = α.

Condition for continuous conduction is

Analysis of inverter mode of operation:

• So far it has been assumed that α < 90°.
• However if α is made larger than 90° the direction of power flow through the
converter will reverse provided there exists a power source in the dc side of suitable
polarity. The converter in that case is said to be operating in the inverter mode.
• Note that the polarity of EMF source on the dc side would have to be reversed for
inverter mode of operation.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter-Inverter mode

Load current has been assumed to be continuous and ripple free.

Inverter mode of Operation

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter-Inverter mode

• Analysis of the converter in

the inverting mode is similar to
its rectifier mode of operation.
The same expressions hold for
the dc and harmonic
compounds in the output
voltage and current.
• For values of α in the range
90° < α < 180° it is observed
from Fig. alongside that the
average dc voltage is negative
and the displacement angle φ
of the fundamental component
of the input ac line current is
equal to α > 90°. Therefore,
power in the ac side flows
from the converter to the
source.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Full Wave Controlled Converter-Inverter mode

• It is also observed from the

figure alongside that an
outgoing thyristor (thyristor T6
) after commutation is
impressed with a negative
voltage of duration β = π – α.
For successful commutation of
the outgoing thyristor it is
essential that this interval is
larger than the turn off time of
the thyristor i.e,

Which imposes an upper limit

on the value of α. In practice
this upper value of α is further
reduced due to commutation
overlap.
AYAN KUMAR TUDU
 Three phase Semi-Converter

• 3-phase semi-converters are three phase half controlled bridge

controlled rectifiers which employ three thyristors and three
diodes connected in the form of a bridge configuration. Three
thyristors are controlled switches which are turned on at
appropriate times by applying appropriate gating signals. The
three diodes conduct when they are forward biased by the
corresponding phase supply voltages.
• 3-phase semi-converters are used in industrial power
applications up to about 120 kW output power level, where
single quadrant operation is required. The power factor of 3-
phase semi-converter decreases as the trigger angle α
increases. The power factor of a 3-phase semi-converter is
better than three phase half wave converter.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Semi-Converter

• Figure above shows a Three phase semi-converter with a

highly inductive load and the load current has negligible ripple
current.
• The frequency of output voltage is 3fs. The delay angle can be
varied from 0 to π.
AYAN KUMAR TUDU
 Three phase Semi-Converter

• Thyristor T1 is forward biased when the phase supply voltage

van is positive and greater than the other phase voltages vbn and
vcn . The diode D1 is forward biased when the phase supply
voltage vcn is more negative than the other phase supply
voltages.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Semi-Converter

• Thyristor T2 is forward biased when the phase supply voltage

vbn is positive and greater than the other phase voltages. Diode
D2 is forward biased when the phase supply voltage van is
more negative than the other phase supply voltages.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Semi-Converter

• Thyristor T3 is forward biased when the phase supply voltage

vcn is positive and greater than the other phase voltages. Diode
D3 is forward biased when the phase supply voltage vbn is
more negative than the other phase supply voltages.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Semi-Converter

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 Three phase Semi-Converter
• During the time period 𝜋 6 ≤ 𝜔𝑡 ≤ 7𝜋/6 , thyristor T1 is forward biased.
• If T1 is triggered at 𝜔𝑡 = (𝜋 6 + 𝛼) T1 and D1 conduct together and the line to line
supply voltage vac appears across the load.
• At 𝜔𝑡 = 7 𝜋 6 vac starts to become negative and the free wheeling diode Dm turns
ON and conducts.
• The load current continues to flow through the free wheeling diode Dm and thyristor
T1 and diode D1 are turned off.
• If the free wheeling diode Dm is not connected across the load, then T1 would
continue to conduct until the thyristor T2 is triggered at 𝜔𝑡 = (5𝜋 6 + 𝛼) and the
free wheeling action is accomplished through T1 and D2, when D2 turns on as soon
as van becomes more negative at 𝜔𝑡 = 7 𝜋 6.
• If the trigger angle 𝛼 ≤ (𝜋 3) each thyristor conducts for 2𝜋 3 and the
freewheeling diode Dm does not conduct.
• The waveforms for a three-phase semi-converter with 𝛼 ≤ (𝜋 3) is shown in next
slide.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

Three phase Semi-Converter

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Semi-Converter
• We define three line-neutral voltages:
Vm is the peak phase voltage
van  Vm sin t of a Y-connected source.
 2 
vbn  Vm sin  t  
 3 
 2 
vcn  Vm sin  t  
 3 
• The corresponding line-to-line voltages are:
 
vac  van  vcn  3Vm sin  t  
 6
 5 
vba  vbn  van  3Vm sin  t  
 6 
 
vcb  vcn  vbn  3Vm sin  t  
 2
 
vab  van  vbn  3Vm sin  t  
 6
AYAN KUMAR TUDU
 Three phase Semi-Converter
• For 𝛼 ≥ (𝜋 3) and discontinuous output voltage: the average output voltage is

3 7 6 3 7 6
vdc   vac d t    3Vm sin t   6  d t 
2 6  2 6 

3 3
= Vm 1  cos  
2
• The maximum average output voltage that occurs at a delay angle of α = 0

3 3
vdm  Vm

• The normalized average output voltage is

Vdc
Vn   0.5(1  cos  )
Vdm

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Semi-Converter
• The rms output voltage is
12
 3 7 6
2  
Vrms   3Vm sin  t   d t  
2

 2 6 
 6 
12
 3  1 
 3Vm       sin 2 
 4  2 
• For 𝛼 ≤ (𝜋 3), continuous output voltage:

3  2 5 6 

   
2   6  2
Vdc  v d  t  v d  t
ab ac

Vdc
3 3Vm Vn   0.5(1  cos  )
 1  cos   Vdm
2
12
3  2 2 5 6 
Vrms   vab d t    vac d t  
2

2   6  2 
12
 3  2 
 3Vm    3 cos   
2

 4  3 
AYAN KUMAR TUDU
 Three phase Semi-Converter with RL load
Case 1: Continuous output voltage (for 𝜶 ≤ (𝝅 𝟑))
• Interval 1 for 𝜋 6 + 𝛼 ≤ 𝜔𝑡 ≤ 𝜋 2: Thyristor T1 and Diode D3 conduct. The
output voltage becomes:

   
v0  vab  2Vab sin  t   for    t 
 6 6 2
where Vab is the line-to-line (rms) input voltage.
• The load current iL1 during interval 1 can be found from

diL1    
L  RiL1  E  2Vab sin  t   for    t 
dt  6 6 2
with boundary conditions

iL1 t   6     I L 0 and iL1 t   2   I L1

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Semi-Converter with RL load
Case 1: Continuous output voltage (for 𝜶 ≤ (𝝅 𝟑))
• Interval 2 for 𝜋 2 ≤ 𝜔𝑡 ≤ 5𝜋 6 + 𝛼: Thyristor T1 and Diode D1 conduct. The
output voltage becomes:

   5
v0  vac  2Vac sin  t   for  t  
 6 2 6
• The load current iL2 during interval 2 can be found from

diL 2    5
L  RiL 2  E  2Vac sin  t   for  t  
dt  6 2 6
with boundary conditions

iL 2 t   2   I L1 and iL 2 t  5  6     I L 0 .

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Semi-Converter with RL load
Case 2: Discontinuous output voltage (for 𝜶 ≥ (𝝅 𝟑))
• Interval 1 for 𝜋 2 ≤ 𝜔𝑡 ≤ 𝜋 6 + 𝛼: Diode Dm conducts. The output voltage is
zero, v0 = 0 for 𝜋 2 ≤ 𝜔𝑡 ≤ 𝜋 6 + 𝛼 .
• The load current iL1 during interval 1 can be found from

diL1  
L  RiL1  E  0 for  t   
dt 2 6
with boundary conditions
iL1 t   2   I L 0 and iL1 t   6     I L1.

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 Three phase Semi-Converter with RL load
Case 2: Discontinuous output voltage (for 𝜶 ≥ (𝝅 𝟑))
• Interval 2 for 𝜋 6 + 𝛼 ≤ 𝜔𝑡 ≤ 7𝜋 6: Thyristor T1 and Diode D1 The output
voltage is
 7
v0  vac  2Vac sin t   6  for    t 
6 6
where Vac is the line-to-line (rms) output voltage.
• The load current iL2 during interval 2 can be found from

diL 2    7
L  RiL 2  E  2Vacsin   t-  for    t 
dt  6 6 6
with boundary conditions

iL 2 t   6     I L1 and iL 2 t  7 6   I L 0 .

AYAN KUMAR TUDU

 References:
• Power Electronics – D.W. Hart
• Power Electronics- NPTEL.
• Power Electronics Handbook –M.H.Rashid.