EMA3805

Lecture 2 – Uncontrolled Rectifiers

Faculty of Engineering Mechanics and Automation
VNU, University of Engineering and Technology
Lecture 2’s sequence

2.1 Single Phase Uncontrolled Half-Wave Rectifiers

2.2 Single Phase Uncontrolled Full-Wave Rectifiers

2.3 Poly Phase Uncontrolled Rectifiers

Single Phase Uncontrolled Half-Wave
Rectifiers

Resistive Load
1

R-L Load
2

R-L Load with Freewheeling Diode

3

Half Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor Filter

4
Introduction

A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), which flows in
only one direction. The process is known as rectification.

There are many applications for rectifiers. Some of them are variable speed dc drives, battery chargers, DC
power supplies and Power supply for a specific application like electroplating.
Resistive Load

 A basic half-wave rectifier with a resistive load is shown in fig.

a. The source is ac, and the objective is to create a load voltage
that has a nonzero dc component. The diode is a basic
electronic switch that allows current in one direction only.

 For the positive half-cycle of the source in this circuit, the

diode is on (forward-biased). Considering the diode to be
ideal, the voltage across a forward-biased diode is zero and the
current is positive.

 For the negative half-cycle of the source, the diode is reverse-

biased, making the current zero. The voltage across the
reverse-biased diode is the source voltage, which has a
negative value.
Resistive Load

The dc component of the output voltage is the average value of a half-wave rectified sinusoid
𝜋
1 𝑉𝑚
𝑉 𝑑𝑐 =𝑉 𝑜 =𝑉 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = ∫ 𝑉 sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 ) 𝑑 (𝜔 𝑡 )= 𝜋
2𝜋 0 𝑚

The dc component of the current for the purely resistive load is

𝑉𝑜 𝑉𝑚
𝐼 𝑑𝑐 =𝐼 𝑜 = =
𝑅 𝜋𝑅
The rms values of and can be written as

√
𝜋
1 𝑉𝑚
∫
2
𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠=
2𝜋 0
[ 𝑉 𝑚 sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 ) ] 𝑑(𝜔 𝑡)=
2
𝑉𝑚
𝐼 𝑟𝑚𝑠 =
2𝑅
Resistive Load

The average output dc power is

2 2
2 𝑉 𝑑𝑐 𝑉𝑚
𝑝 𝑑𝑐 =𝑉 𝑑𝑐 𝐼 𝑑𝑐 = 𝐼 𝑑𝑐 𝑅= = 2
𝑅 𝜋 𝑅

The rms output ac power is

2 2
𝑉 𝑉
𝑝 𝑎 𝑐 =𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝐼 𝑟𝑚𝑠 =𝐼 2
𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑅= 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝑚
𝑅 4𝑅
Resistive Load

Example: For the shown half-wave rectifier, the source is a sinusoid of =

120V at a frequency of 60. The load resistor is 5. Determine (a) the
average load current, (b) the dc and ac power absorbed by the load and
(c) the power factor of the circuit.

Solution:
a) Average load current b) dc and ac power
Resistive Load

c) power factor

The rms current in the resistor is

The power factor is

Single Phase Uncontrolled Half-Wave
Rectifiers

Resistive Load
1

R-L Load
2

R-L Load with Freewheeling Diode

3

Half Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor Filter

4
R-L Load

 Industrial loads typically contain inductance as well as resistance. As the source voltage goes through
zero, becoming positive in the circuit of fig. a, the diode becomes forward-biased. The Kirchhoff voltage
law equation that describes the current in the circuit for the forward-biased ideal diode is

(1)
The dc component of the output voltage is

𝛽
1 𝑉𝑚
𝑉 𝑑𝑐 = ∫
2𝜋 0
𝑉 𝑚 sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 ) 𝑑(𝜔 𝑡)=
2𝜋
(1− 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛽)

The dc component of the output current is

𝑉𝑚
𝐼 𝑑𝑐 = (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛽 )
2 𝜋 𝑅
The solution of Eq. (1) can be obtained by expressing the current as the sum of the forced response and the
natural response: 𝑖 ( 𝑡 ) =𝑖 𝑓 ( 𝑡 )+ 𝑖𝑛 (𝑡 )
R-L Load

 The forced response for this circuit is the current that exists
after the natural response has decayed to zero. In this case,
the forced response is the steady-state sinusoidal current that
would exist in the circuit if the diode were not present.
 This steady-state current can be found from phasor analysis,
resulting in

𝑉𝑚
𝑖𝑓 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛( 𝜔 𝑡 − 𝜃 )
𝑍

Where:
and
R-L Load

 The natural response is the transient that occurs when the load is energized. It is the solution to the
homogeneous differential equation for the circuit without the source or diode.

For this first-order circuit, the natural response has the form

−𝑡 /𝜏
𝑖𝑛 ( 𝑡 ) = 𝐴 𝑒
Where:

𝐿
𝜏= and
𝑅
Adding the forced and natural responses gets the complete solution

(2)
R-L Load

The constant A is evaluated by using the initial condition for current:

Using the initial condition and Eq. (2) to evaluate A yields

Substituting for A in Eq. (2) gives

R-L Load

The final current equation can be written as

𝑉𝑚
𝑖 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )= [ sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 − 𝜃 ) +sin ( 𝜃 ) 𝑒−𝜔 𝑡 /𝜔𝜏 ] (3)
𝑍

The point when the current reaches zero in Eq. (3) occurs when the diode turns off. The first positive value of
in Eq. (3) that results in zero current is called the extinction angle .

To find , substitute in Eq. (3)

Which reduces to

There is no closed-form solution for , and some numerical method is required.

R-L Load

To summarize, the current in the half-wave rectifier circuit with RL load is expressed as

where: and

The dc component of the output current is

Or it can be found as

𝛽
1 𝑉𝑚 𝑉𝑚
𝑉 𝑑𝑐 = ∫ 𝑉 𝑚 sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 ) 𝑑 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )= 2 𝜋 ¿
2𝜋 0
𝐼 𝑑𝑐 = 𝐼 𝑜 =
2𝜋 𝑅
¿
R-L Load

The rms value of can be written as

Or it can be found as

√ √
𝛽 2
1 𝑉 1
𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠= ∫
2𝜋 0
2
(𝑉 𝑚 sin𝜔𝑡) 𝑑(𝜔𝑡)=
4𝜋
𝑚
( 𝛽− 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛽)
2

𝐼 𝑟𝑚𝑠=
𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝑍
=
𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠
2 2
= 2
1
√
𝑉 𝑚2
√ 𝑅 +(𝜔 𝐿) √ 𝑅 +(𝜔 𝐿) 4 𝜋 2
2
1
(𝛽 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛽 )
R-L Load

Example: For the RL half-wave rectifier, , , , and . Determine (a) an expression for the current in this circuit,
(b) the average current, (c) the rms current, (d) the power absorbed by the RL load, and (e) the power factor.

Solution:
R-L Load

a) Expression for the current

{
𝑉𝑚
𝑖 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )= 𝑍 [ sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 − 𝜃 ) +sin ( 𝜃 ) 𝑒− 𝜔 𝑡 / 𝜔𝜏
] for 0 ≤ 𝜔 𝑡 ≤ 𝛽
0 f or 𝛽 ≤ 𝜔 𝑡 ≤ 2 𝜋

{
100
¿ 106 . 9 [ sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 − 0 .361 ) + sin ( 0 . 361 ) 𝑒
− 𝜔 𝑡 / 0 .377
] for 0 ≤ 𝜔 𝑡 ≤ 𝛽
0 f or 𝛽 ≤ 𝜔 𝑡 ≤ 2 𝜋

{ [ ] for 0 ≤ 𝜔 𝑡 ≤ 𝛽
− 𝜔 𝑡 / 0 . 377
¿ 0 . 935 sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 − 0 .361 ) + 0 . 353 𝑒
0 f or 𝛽 ≤ 𝜔 𝑡 ≤2 𝜋

sin ( 𝛽 − 0 . 361 ) +sin ( 0 .361 ) 𝑒 − 𝛽/ 0 . 377 =0

Using a numerical root-finding program, is found to be 3.5 rad, or 201o.

R-L Load

b) Average current
[ ]
3 .5 𝜔𝑡
1 −
𝐼 𝑜= ∫
2𝜋 0
0 . 935 sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 − 0 . 361 ) +0 . 353 𝑒 0 . 377 𝑑 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )=0 .308 𝐴

can be also found from

𝑉𝑚
𝐼 𝑑𝑐 = 𝐼 𝑜 = ¿
2 𝜋 𝑅
c) rms current

√ [ ] 𝑑 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )=0 . 474 𝐴
3 .5 𝜔𝑡 2
1 −
𝐼 𝑜= ∫
2𝜋 0
0 . 935 sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 − 0 . 361 )+0 . 353 𝑒 0 . 377

can be also found from

√ 𝑉 𝑚2
√ ( )
2
1 1 1 100 1
𝐼 𝑟𝑚𝑠= (𝛽− 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛽)= 3 . 5 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛7 =0 . 489 𝐴
√ 𝑅2 +(𝜔 𝐿)2 4𝜋 2 106 . 9 4 𝜋 2
R-L Load

d) Power absorbed by the RL load

𝑃 = 𝐼2
𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑅 = ( 0 . 4892
) ( 100 ) =22 . 4 𝑊

e) Power factor
𝑃 𝑃 22 . 4
𝑝𝑓 = = = = 0 . 65
𝑆 𝑉 𝑠 ,𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝐼 𝑟𝑚𝑠 (100/ √ 2)(0 . 489)
Single Phase Uncontrolled Half-Wave
Rectifiers

Resistive Load
1

R-L Load
2

R-L Load with Freewheeling Diode

3

Half Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor Filter

4
R-L Load with Freewheeling Diode

 A freewheeling diode , can be connected across an RL load as shown

in Fig. (a).
 Both diodes cannot be forward-biased at the same time. Diode will
be ON when the source is positive, and diode will be ON when the
source is negative.

For a positive source voltage:

 is on
 is off
 The equivalent circuit is the same as that of Fig. (b)
 The voltage across the RL load is the same as the source

For a negative source voltage:

 is off
 is on
 The equivalent circuit is the same at that of Fig. (c)
 The voltage across the RL load is zero
R-L Load with Freewheeling Diode

 Since the voltage across the RL load is the same as the source
voltage when the source is positive and is zero when the
source is negative, the load voltage is a half-wave rectified
sine wave. Steady-state load, source, and diode currents are
shown in the fig.

Example: Determine the average load voltage and current for the
circuit, where and , , and the frequency is .
Solution:

𝑉 𝑚 100
𝑉 𝑜= = =31 . 8 𝑉
𝜋 𝜋
𝑉 𝑜 31. 8
𝐼 𝑜= = =15 . 9 𝐴
𝑅 2
Single Phase Uncontrolled Half-Wave
Rectifiers

Resistive Load
1

R-L Load
2

R-L Load with Freewheeling Diode

3

Half-Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor Filter

4
Half-Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor
Filter
 The purpose of the capacitor is to reduce the variation in the output voltage, making it more like dc. The
resistance may represent an external load, and the capacitor may be a filter which is part of the rectifier
circuit.

 Assuming the capacitor is initially uncharged, and the circuit is energized at , the diode becomes forward-
biased as the source becomes positive. With the diode on, the output voltage is the same as the source
voltage, and the capacitor charges. The capacitor is charged to when the input voltage reaches its positive
peak at .

 As the source decreases after 𝜔t=π/2, the capacitor discharges

into the load resistor. At some point, the voltage of the source
becomes less than the output voltage, reverse-biasing the diode
and isolating the load from the source. The output voltage is a
decaying exponential with time constant RC while the diode is off.
Half-Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor
Filter
 The angle is the point when the diode turns off in the
figure. The output voltage is described by

diode on
diode off ( 1)
where

The slopes of these functions are

𝑑
𝑑 ( 𝜔 𝑡)
[ 𝑉 𝑚 sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 ) ]=𝑉 𝑚 cos ( 𝜔 𝑡 )

𝑑 1
𝑑 (𝜔 𝑡)
[ 𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜃 𝑒
−(𝜔 𝑡 −𝜃 )/ 𝜔 𝑅𝐶
] =𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜃 (−
𝜔 𝑅𝐶
)𝑒
−(𝜔 𝑡 − 𝜃 )/𝜔 𝑅𝐶
Half-Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor
Filter
At , the slopes of the voltage functions are equal:

Solving for and expressing so it is in the proper quadrant,

−1
𝜃= tan ( − 𝜔 𝑅𝐶 )= − tan −1 ( 𝜔 𝑅𝐶 ) + 𝜋
In practical circuits where the time constant is large,
𝜋
𝜃≈
2
Half-Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor
Filter
The angle at which the diode turns on in the second period, , is the point when the sinusoidal source reaches the
same value as the decaying exponential output:
−( 2 𝜋 +𝛼 − 𝜃 ) /𝜔 𝑅𝐶
( )
𝑉 𝑚 sin 2 𝜋 +𝛼 =(𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜃 ) 𝑒
2 𝜋+ 𝛼− 𝜃
−
𝜔 𝑅𝐶
sin 𝛼 − ( sin 𝜃 ) 𝑒 =0
The above equation must be solved numerically for .
The current in the resistor is calculated from

The current in the capacitor is calculated from

𝑑 𝑣 𝑜 (𝑡or
) 𝑑𝑣 𝑜 (𝜔 𝑡)
𝑖𝐶 ( 𝑡 )= 𝐶 𝑖𝐶 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )=𝜔 𝐶
𝑑𝑡 𝑑(𝜔 𝑡)
Half-Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor
Filter
Using from Eq. (1) we, get:

{
𝜔 𝐶 𝑉 𝑚 cos ⁡( 𝜔 𝑡 ) for 2 𝜋 +𝛼 ≤ 𝜔 𝑡 ≤(diode
2 𝜋 on)
+θ
( 2)
( )
𝑖𝐶 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )= 𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜃 −(𝜔 𝑡 − 𝜃)/ 𝜔 𝑅𝐶
− 𝑒 for θ ≤ 𝜔 𝑡 ≤ 2(diode
𝜋 +𝛼off)
𝑅
𝑖𝑆 =𝑖𝐷 =𝑖 𝑅 +𝑖 𝐶
The source current, which is the same as the diode current, is:

Peak capacitor current occurs when the diode turns on at . From Eq. (2)
𝐼 𝐶 , peak =𝜔 𝐶 𝑉 𝑚 cos ( 2 𝜋+𝛼 )=𝜔 𝐶 𝑉 𝑚 cos𝛼
𝑉 𝑚 sin ⁡(2 𝜋 + 𝛼) 𝑉 𝑚 sin ⁡𝛼
Resistor current at is obtained from Eq. (1): 𝐼 𝑅 ( 2 𝜋 +𝛼 ) = =
𝑅 𝑅
𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝛼 sin 𝛼
Peak diode current is: 𝐼 𝐷 , peak =𝜔 𝐶 𝑉 𝑚 cos 𝛼+ =𝑉 𝑚 (𝜔 𝐶 cos 𝛼+ )
𝑅 𝑅
Half-Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor
Filter
The effectiveness of the capacitor filter is determined by the variation in output voltage. This may be expressed
as the difference between the maximum and minimum output voltage, which is the peak-to-peak ripple voltage.
For the half wave rectifier with a capacitor filter, the maximum output voltage is . The minimum output voltage
occurs at , which can be computed from . The peak-to-peak ripple is expressed as
Δ 𝑉 𝑜=𝑉 𝑚 −𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝛼=𝑉 𝑚 (1− sin 𝛼)
If and , then Eq. (1) evaluated at is
𝜋 𝜋
𝜋 −( 2 𝜋+ 2 − 2 ) / 𝜔 𝑅𝐶
𝑣 𝑜 ( 2 𝜋 +𝛼 )=𝑉 𝑚 sin ⁡ 𝑒 =𝑉 𝑚 𝑒− 2 𝜋 / 𝜔 𝑅𝐶
2
The ripple voltage can then be approximated as
Δ 𝑉 𝑜 ≈ 𝑉 𝑚 −𝑉 𝑚 𝑒
− 2 𝜋 / 𝜔 𝑅𝐶
=𝑉 𝑚 (1 −𝑒
−2 𝜋 / 𝜔 𝑅𝐶
) ( 3)
The exponential in the above equation can be approximated by the series expansion
2𝜋
𝑒 − 2 𝜋 / 𝜔 𝑅𝐶 ≈ 1 −
𝜔 𝑅𝐶
Half-Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor
Filter
Substituting the above equation in Eq. (3). The peak-to-peak ripple is approximately
𝑉𝑚
Δ 𝑉 𝑜≈ 𝑉 𝑚 ( 2𝜋
𝜔 𝑅𝐶
= )
𝑓𝑅𝐶
The output voltage ripple is reduced by increasing the filter capacitor C. As C increases, the conduction
interval for the diode decreases. Therefore, increasing the capacitance to reduce the output voltage ripple
results in a larger peak diode current.
Half-Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor
Filter
Example: The half-wave rectifier with a capacitor filter has
a , source at , , and . Determine (a) an expression for output
voltage, (b) the peak-to-peak voltage variation on the
output, (c) an expression for capacitor current, (d) the peak
diode current, and (e) the value of C such that is of .
Solution:

𝑉 𝑚=(120)( √2)=169 .7 𝑉 −6
𝜔 𝑅𝐶=( 2 𝜋 60 )( 500 )( 10 ) =18 . 85 rad
−1
𝜃=− tan ( 18 . 85 ) + 𝜋=1 . 62 rad =93
𝑜
𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜃 =169 . 5 𝑉

Using numerical solution to get

Half-Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor
Filter
a) An expression for output voltage

Using Eq. (1):

𝑣 𝑜 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )=
{
169 . 7 sin 𝜔 𝑡
( )
169 . 5 𝑒 − 𝜔 𝑡 − 1 . 62 / 18 . 85

b) The peak-to-peak voltage variation on the output

Δ 𝑉 𝑜=𝑉 𝑚 ( 1− sin 𝛼 ) =169 .7 ( 1− sin ( 0 . 843 ) )= 43 𝑉

c) An expression for capacitor current

Using Eq. (2):

{
− ( 𝜔 𝑡 − 1 . 62 ) / 18 . 85
𝑖𝐶 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )= − 0 . 339 𝑒
6 . 4 cos ⁡( 𝜔 𝑡 )
Half-Wave Rectifier with a Capacitor
Filter
d) The peak diode current

(
𝐼 𝐷 , peak =𝑉 𝑚 𝜔 𝐶 cos 𝛼+
sin 𝛼
𝑅 )
[
¿ 120 √ 2 377 ( 10 )− 4 𝑐𝑜𝑠 0 .843 +
𝑠𝑖𝑛 0 . 843
500 ]
¿ 4 . 26 + 0 . 34 = 4 . 5 𝐴
e) The value of C such that is 1% of

𝑉𝑚 𝑉𝑚 𝑉𝑚 1
Δ 𝑉 𝑜≈ ⇒ 𝐶 ≈ = = 𝐹 ≈ 3333 𝜇 𝐹
𝑓𝑅𝐶 𝑓𝑅 ( Δ 𝑉 𝑜)
( 60 )( 500 ) ( 0 . 01𝑉 𝑚)
300
Lecture 2’s sequence

2.1 Single Phase Uncontrolled Half-Wave Rectifiers

2.2 Single Phase Uncontrolled Full-Wave Rectifiers

2.3 Poly Phase Uncontrolled Rectifiers

Single Phase Uncontrolled Full-Wave
Rectifiers

The Bridge Rectifier with Resistive Load

1

The Bridge Rectifier with Highly Inductive Load

2

The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

3
The Bridge Rectifier with Resistive
Load

For the bridge rectifier of Fig. (a) and (b), these are some basic observations:

• Diodes and conduct together, and and conduct together. and cannot be ON at the same time.
Similarly, and cannot conduct simultaneously. The load current can be positive or zero but can
never be negative.
• The voltage across the load is +when and are ON. The voltage across the load is - when and are
ON.
• The maximum voltage across a reverse-biased diode is the peak value of the source. This can be
shown by Kirchhoff’s voltage law around the loop containing the source, D1, and D3. With D1
ON, the voltage across D3 is - .
• The current entering the bridge from the source is , which is symmetric about zero. Therefore,
the average source current is zero.
• The rms source current is the same as the rms load current. The source current is the same as
the load current for one-half of the source period and is the negative of the load current for the
other half. The squares of the load and source currents are the same, so the rms currents are
equal.
• The fundamental frequency of the output voltage is , where is the frequency of the ac input
since two periods of the output occur for every period of the input.
The Bridge Rectifier with Resistive
Load
The Bridge Rectifier with Resistive
Load
The voltage across a resistive load for the bridge rectifier of Fig. (a) is expressed as

𝑣 𝑜 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )=
{ 𝑉 𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 𝜔 𝑡 ) for 0 ≤ 𝜔 𝑡 ≤ 𝜋
− 𝑉 𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 𝜔 𝑡 ) for 𝜋 ≤ 𝜔 𝑡 ≤ 2 𝜋

The dc component of the output voltage is the average value, and load current is the resistor voltage divided
by resistance.
𝜋
1 2𝑉𝑚 𝑉𝑜 2𝑉 𝑚
𝑉 𝑜= ∫ 𝑉 𝑚 sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 ) 𝑑 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )= 𝐼 𝑜= =
𝜋 0 𝜋 𝑅 𝜋𝑅

The rms value of the output voltage and current are

√
𝜋
1 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠= ∫ (𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜔 𝑡) 𝑑 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )=
2
𝐼 𝑟𝑚𝑠 =
𝜋 0 √2 √2
Power absorbed by the load resistor can be determined from
Single Phase Uncontrolled Full-Wave
Rectifiers

The Bridge Rectifier with Resistive Load

1

The Bridge Rectifier with Highly Inductive Load

2

The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

3
The Bridge Rectifier with Highly
Inductive Load
For a RL series-connected load in Fig. (a), the method of analysis
is similar to that for the half-wave rectifier with the free-wheeling
diode.

After a transient that occurs during start-up, the load current

reaches a periodic steady-state condition similar to that in Fig.
(b).
For the bridge circuit, current is transferred from one pair of
diodes to the other pair when the source changes polarity. The
voltage across the RL load is a fll-wave rectified sinusoid, as it
was for the resistive load.
The Bridge Rectifier with Highly
Inductive Load
If L >> R

In some applications, the load inductance may be relatively large or

made large by adding external inductance.

The dc component of the output voltage is the average value, and

load current is the resistor voltage divided by resistance.
𝜋
1 2 𝑉𝑚 𝑉𝑜 2𝑉 𝑚
𝑉 𝑜= ∫ 𝑉 𝑚 sin ⁡( 𝜔 𝑡 ) 𝑑 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )= 𝐼 𝑜= =
𝜋 0 𝜋 𝑅 𝜋𝑅

The rms value of the output voltage and current are

√
𝜋
1 𝑉𝑚
𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠= ∫ (𝑉 𝑚 sin ⁡𝜔𝑡) 𝑑(𝜔 𝑡)=
2
𝐼 𝑟𝑚 ≈ 𝐼 𝑜=𝐼 𝑑𝑐
𝜋0 √2
Single Phase Uncontrolled Full-Wave
Rectifiers

The Bridge Rectifier with Resistive Load

1

The Bridge Rectifier with Highly Inductive Load

2

The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

3
The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

For the center-tapped transformer rectifier of Fig. (a), these are some
basic observations:

• Kirchhoff’s voltage law shows that only one diode can conduct at a time. Load current
can be positive or zero but never negative.
• The output voltage is when conducts and is when conducts. The transformer
secondary voltages are related to the source voltage by .
• Kirchhoff’s voltage law around the transformer secondary windings, , and shows that
the maximum voltage across a reverse-biased diode is twice the peak value of the load
voltage.
• Current in each half of the transformer secondary is reflected to the primary, resulting
in an average source current of zero.
• The transformer provides electrical isolation between the source and the load.
• The fundamental frequency of the output voltage is since two periods of the output
occur for every period of the input.
The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier
 The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

For Resistive Load

The voltage across a resistive load for the bridge rectifier of Fig. (a) is expressed as

𝑣 𝑜 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )=
{ 𝑉 𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔 𝑡 for 0 ≤ 𝜔 𝑡 ≤ 𝜋
− 𝑉 𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔 𝑡 for 𝜋 ≤ 𝜔 𝑡 ≤ 2 𝜋
The dc component of the output voltage is the average value, and load current is the resistor voltage divided by
resistance.
𝜋
1 2 𝑉𝑚 𝑉𝑜 2𝑉 𝑚
𝑉 𝑜= ∫ 𝑉 𝑚 sin ⁡( 𝜔 𝑡 ) 𝑑 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )= 𝐼 𝑜= =
𝜋 0 𝜋 𝑅 𝜋𝑅
The rms value of the output voltage and current are

√
𝜋
1 𝑉𝑚 𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝐼 𝑚
𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠= ∫ (𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜔 𝑡) 𝑑 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )=
2
𝐼 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = =
𝜋 0 √2 𝑅 √2
Power absorbed by the load resistor can be determined
 The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

If L >> R

The dc component of the output voltage is the average value, and

load current is the resistor voltage divided by resistance.
𝜋
1 2 𝑉𝑚 𝑉𝑜 2𝑉 𝑚
𝑉 𝑜= ∫ 𝑉 𝑚 sin ⁡( 𝜔 𝑡 ) 𝑑 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )= 𝐼 𝑜= =
𝜋 0 𝜋 𝑅 𝜋𝑅

The rms value of the output voltage and current are

√
𝜋
1 𝑉𝑚
𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠= ∫ (𝑉 𝑚 sin ⁡𝜔𝑡) 𝑑(𝜔 𝑡)=
2 𝐼 𝑟𝑚 ≈ 𝐼 𝑜=𝐼 𝑑𝑐
𝜋0 √2
The lower peak diode voltage in the bridge rectifier makes it more suitable for high-voltage applications. The
center-tapped transformer rectifier, in addition to include electrical isolation, has only one diode voltage drop
between the source and load, making it desirable for low-voltage, high-current applications.
Lecture 3’s sequence

2.1 Single Phase Uncontrolled Half-Wave Rectifiers

2.2 Single Phase Uncontrolled Full-Wave Rectifiers

2.3 Poly Phase Uncontrolled Rectifiers

Poly Phase Uncontrolled Rectifiers

Three Phase Uncontrolled Half-Wave Rectifiers

1

Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled Bridge Rectifier

2

Six Phase Star Rectifier

3
The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

A basic three-phase half-wave rectifier circuit with resistive load is

shown in figure. The rectifier is fed from an ideal 3–phase supply
through delta–star 3-phase transformer.

The principle of operation of this converter can be

explained as follows:
• The diode in a particular phase conducts during the period when
the voltage on that phase is higher than that on the other two
phases. For example: from to , has a more positive voltage at its
anode, in this period and D3 are off. The neutral wire provides a
It is clear that, unlike the single-phase
return path to the load current.
rectifier circuit, the conduction angle
• The conduction sequence is: , , . of each diode is , instead of π.
The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier
The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

Variation of voltage across diode D1

Voltage variation across diode D1 can be obtained by applying KVL to the

loop consisting of diode D1, Phase ‘a’ winding and load R.
So, 
When Diode D1 conduct: 

When diode D2 conduct: 

At ,

At ,

At ,

At , D3 D1 D2 D3
The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

When Diode D3 conducts:

At ,

At ,

At ,

At ,

D3 D1 D2 D3
The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

Let:

The dc component of the output voltage is the average value, and load current is the resistor voltage divided by resistance.

3 √3 𝑉 𝑚
5𝜋 /6
3 3 √ 3 𝑉 𝑚 0 . 827 𝑉 𝑚
𝑉 𝑑𝑐 =
2𝜋
∫ 𝑉 𝑚 sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 ) 𝑑 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )=
2𝜋
=0 . 827 𝑉 𝑚 𝐼 𝑑𝑐 =
2𝜋𝑅
=
𝑅
𝜋/6

The rms value of the output voltage and current are

√
5 𝜋 /6
3 0 . 84 𝑉
𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠=
2𝜋
∫ 2
(𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜔 𝑡 ) 𝑑 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )=0 . 84 𝑉 𝑚 𝐼 𝑟𝑚𝑠 =
𝑅
𝑚

𝜋 /6

The rms current in each transformer secondary winding can also be found as

√
5 𝜋 /6
1
𝐼 𝑟𝑚𝑠=
2𝜋
∫ 2
(𝐼 𝑚 sin 𝜔 𝑡 ) 𝑑 ( 𝜔 𝑡 )=0 . 485 𝐼 𝑚
𝜋 /6
The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

Example: A three-phase, half-wave uncontrolled rectifier shown in figure contains three ideal diodes and is fed from an ideal
three-phase voltage source of 380V (rms, line-to-line), 50 Hz. The load is resistive with R = 15 Ω. Calculate:
(a) The average output voltage and average load current of the rectifier
(b) The dc and ac power dissipations in the load

Solution:

(a) The average output voltage and average load current of the rectifier

( √ 2 ) 𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠 , 𝑙𝑙 ( √ 2 ) ( 380)
 𝑉 𝑚= = =310 . 27 𝑉
√3 √3
3 √ 3 𝑉 𝑚 ( 3 √ 2 ) 𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠 , 𝑙 𝑙 ( 3 √ 2 ) ( 380 )
𝑉 𝑑𝑐 = = = =256 . 59 𝑉
2𝜋 2𝜋 2𝜋

𝑉 𝑑𝑐 256 . 59
𝐼 𝑑𝑐 = = =17 . 1 𝐴
𝑅 15
 The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

b) The dc and ac power dissipations in the load

𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠 =0 . 84 𝑉 𝑚=( 0 . 84 ) ( 310 . 27 ) =260 . 6 𝑉

𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠 260 . 6
𝐼 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = = =17 . 4 𝑉𝐴
𝑅 15

𝑃 𝑑𝑐 =𝑉 𝑑𝑐 𝐼 𝑑𝑐 =( 256 . 59 ) (17 .1 ) = 4387 . 69𝑊

𝑃 𝑎𝑐 =𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝐼 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ( 2 60 .6 ) ( 17 . 4 )= 4534 . 4 𝑊

Poly Phase Uncontrolled Rectifiers

Three Phase Uncontrolled Half-Wave Rectifiers

1

Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled Bridge Rectifier

2

Six Phase Star Rectifier

3
Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled
Bridge Rectifier

Three-phase rectifiers are commonly used in industry

to produce a dc voltage and current for large loads. The
three-phase voltage source is balanced and has phase
sequence a-b-c.

Some basic observations about the circuit are as follows:

• Kirchhoff’s voltage law around any path shows that only one diode in the top half of the bridge may conduct at one
time (D1, D3, or D5). The diode that is conducting will have its anode connected to the phase voltage that is highest at
that instant.
• Kirchhoff’s voltage law also shows that only one diode in the bottom half of the bridge may conduct at one time (D2,
D4, or D6). The diode that is conducting will have its cathode connected to the phase voltage that is lowest at that
instant.
• D1 and D4 cannot conduct at the same time. Similarly, D3 and D6 cannot conduct simultaneously, nor can D5 and D2.
Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled
Bridge Rectifier

Some basic observations about the circuit are as follows:

• The output voltage across the load is one of the line-to-line voltages of the source. For
example, when D1 and D2 are ON, the output voltage is . Furthermore, the diodes that are
ON are determined by which line-to-line voltage is the highest at that instant. For example,
when is the highest line-to-line voltage, the output is .
• There are six combinations of line-to-line voltages (three phases taken two at a time).
Considering one period of the source to be 3600, a transition of the highest line-to-line voltage
must take place every 3600/6 = 600. Because of the six transitions that occur for each period of
the source voltage, the circuit is called a six-pulse rectifier.
• The fundamental frequency of the output voltage is , where is the frequency of the three-
phase source.
Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled
Bridge Rectifier

The figures shows the phase voltages and the resulting combinations of
line-to-line voltages from a balanced three-phase source and the
current in each of the bridge diodes for a resistive load.

The diodes conduct in pairs (6,1), (1,2), (2,3), (3,4), (4,5), (5,6), (6,1), …
Diodes turn on in the sequence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1, …

The current in a conducting diode is the same as the load current. To

determine the current in each phase of the source, Kirchhoff’s current
law is applied at nodes a, b, and c.
Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled
Bridge Rectifier
Let:
,

The dc component of the output voltage is the average value, and load current is the resistor voltage divided by resistance.

𝜋
3 √3 𝑉 𝑚
𝜋/ 2 𝜋/2 2
3
𝜋 𝜋/6 () 𝜋 3
6 𝜋 𝜋/6 ( )
3 √3 1
𝑉 𝑑𝑐= ∫ √3𝑉 𝑚sin 𝜔𝑡+ 𝑑(𝜔𝑡)= ∫ √3𝑉 𝑚(sin 𝜔𝑡cos𝜋/6+cos𝜔𝑡sin 𝜋/6)𝑑(𝜔𝑡)= ∫ √3𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡+ cos𝜔𝑡 𝑑( 𝜔𝑡)= =1.654𝑉 𝑚
𝜋𝜋 2 2 𝜋
𝐼 𝑑𝑐 =1 . 654
𝑉𝑚
𝑅

The average power is 𝑃 𝑑𝑐=𝑉 𝑑𝑐 𝐼 𝑑𝑐

Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled
Bridge Rectifier
The rms value of the output voltage is

√ ( )) 𝑑(𝜔 𝑡)=1. 654 𝑉

𝜋 /2

(
2
3 𝜋
𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠= ∫
𝜋 𝜋 /6
√ 3 𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜔 𝑡 −
6 𝑚

The rms current in each phase can also be found as

𝐼 ( 𝑎 , 𝑏 ,𝑐 ) 𝑟𝑚𝑠 =0 .78 𝐼 𝑚

The rms current through a diode is:

𝐼 ( 𝐷) 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 0 .552 𝐼 𝑚
𝑉𝑚
where:𝐼 𝑚=1 . 73
𝑅
Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled
Bridge Rectifier
Example 1: A three-phase, full-wave uncontrolled bridge rectifier contains six ideal diodes and is fed from an ideal three-phase
voltage source of 240 V (rms, line-to-line), 50 Hz. The load is resistive with R =10 Ω. Calculate the average load voltage and the
power dissipation.

Solution:
( √ 2 ) 𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠 ,
𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠 ,𝑙𝑙 =√ 3 𝑉 𝑝 =
√3
( √ 2 ) (240)
𝑉 𝑚= =195 . 96 𝑉
√3
3 √ 3 𝑉 𝑚 ( 3 √ 2 ) 𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠 , 𝑙𝑙 ( 3 √ 2 ) ( 195 . 96 )
𝑉 𝑑𝑐 = = = =324 . 3 𝑉
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝑉 𝑑𝑐 324 . 3
𝐼 𝑑𝑐 = = = 32 . 4 𝐴
𝑅 10

𝑃 𝑑𝑐 =𝑉 𝑑𝑐 𝐼 𝑑𝑐 =( 324 )( 32 . 4 )=10 .5 𝑘𝑊
Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled
Bridge Rectifier
Example 2: Power is supplied to a load resistor R from a three-phase, zero-impedance supply of balanced sinusoidal voltages,
using full-wave uncontrolled bridge circuit of figure. The six diodes may be considered as ideal switches. Calculate , and if =
300 V, R = 50 Ω.

Solution:

3 √3 𝑉 𝑚 ( 3 √ 3)(300)
𝑉 𝑑𝑐 = = =496 . 43 𝑉
𝜋 𝜋

3 √ 3 𝑉 𝑚 ( 3 √ 3)(300)
𝐼 𝑑𝑐 = = =9 . 92 𝐴
𝜋𝑅 50 𝜋

𝑃 𝑑𝑐 =𝑉 𝑑𝑐 𝐼 𝑑𝑐 =( 496 . 43 ) ( 9 . 92 )=4928 . 8 𝑊
Poly Phase Uncontrolled Rectifiers

Three Phase Uncontrolled Half Wave Rectifiers

1

Three –Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled Bridge Rectifier

2

Six-phase Star Rectifier

3
Six Phase Star Rectifier

The six-phase voltages on the secondary are obtained by

means of a center-tapped arrangement on a star-connected
three phase winding.

The diode in a particular phase conducts during the period

when the voltage on that phase is higher than that on the
other phases. The conduction angle of each diode is .

Currents flow in only one rectifying element at a time,

resulting in a low average current, but a high peak to an
average current ratio in the diodes.

Six-phase star circuit is attractive in applications which

require a low ripple factor and a common cathode or anode
for the rectifiers.
Six Phase Star Rectifier

The average value of the output voltage can be found as

2𝜋 /3
6 3 𝑉𝑚
𝑉 𝑑𝑐 =
2𝜋
∫ 𝑉 𝑚 sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 ) 𝑑 (𝜔 𝑡 )=
𝜋
=0 . 955 𝑉 𝑚
𝜋/3

The rms of the output voltage can be found as

√ √( )
2𝜋 / 3
3 3 𝜋 √3
𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠=
𝜋
∫ (𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡 ) 𝑑(𝜔𝑡)=𝑉 𝑚
2
+ =0.956 𝑉 𝑚
𝜋 6 4
𝜋/3

The rms current in each transformer secondary winding can also be found as

where:𝐼 𝑚=
𝑉𝑚
𝐼 𝑟𝑚𝑠 =𝐼 𝑚
√ (
1 𝜋 √3
+
2𝜋 6 4 )
=0 .396 𝐼 𝑚

𝑅
Examples

Example 1: A single-phase half-wave uncontrolled rectifier supplied from 70Vrms supply is

used to charge a 50V battery through a 10Ω resistance. Determine the average value of the
current in the circuit?

[Ans: 1.053 A]
Examples

Example 2: A circuit is connected as shown in Fig to a 240 V, 50 Hz supply. Neglect the diode
voltage drop. Determine the verage load voltage and the average load current of:
a) A pure resistor of 10 Ω
b) An inductance of 0.1 H in series with a 10 Ω resistor. Assume the extinction angle β = 265 o
Question
&
Answer