3EC41:POWER ELECTRONICS

AC to DC Converter
Reference book: Power Electronics by
M D Singh And K B Khanchandani

1
 Review of Half Wave Rectifier
• In half wave rectification, only one crystal
diode is used.
• It is connected in the circuit as shown below.

2
 Review of Half Wave Rectifier
• The AC supply to be rectified is generally given
through a transformer.
• The transformer is used to step down or step
up the main supply voltage as per the
requirement.
• It also isolates the rectifier from power lines
and thus reduces the risk of electric shock.

3
 Operation of Half Wave Rectifier
• When AC supply is switched ON the
alternating voltage (Vin) shown in the figure
below appears across the terminal AB at the
secondary winding.

4
 Operation of Half Wave Rectifier
• During the positive half cycle, the terminal A is
positive with respect to B and the crystal
diode is forward biased.
• Therefore, it conducts and current flows
through the load resistor RL. This current
varies in magnitude as shown in the wave
diagram shown below.

5
 Operation of Half Wave Rectifier
• Thus, a positive half cycle of the output
voltage (Vout = iRL) appears across the load
resistor RL shown in the figure below.

6
 Review of Full Wave Rectifier
• In Full Wave Rectification, when the AC supply is
applied at the input, during both the half cycles (i.e.,
positive as well as negative) current flows through the
load in the same direction.
• This can be achieved by using two crystal diodes. The
two diodes conduct the current alternately.
• To obtain the same direction of flow of current in the
load resistors RL during positive as well as the negative
half cycle of input, the two circuits are used.
• They are named as follows:-
1. Center tapped full wave rectifier
2. Full wave bridge rectifier
7
 Review of Full Wave Rectifier
• In Full Wave Bridge Rectifier, an ordinary
transformer is used in place of a centre tapped
transformer.
• The circuit forms a bridge connecting the four
diodes D1, D2, D3, and D4.
• The circuit diagram of Full Wave Bridge
Rectifier is shown below.

8
 Review of Full Wave Rectifier
The AC supply which is to be rectified is applied
diagonally to the opposite ends of the bridge.
Whereas, the load resistor RL is connected across the
remaining two diagonals of the opposite ends of the
bridge.

9
 Review of Full Wave Rectifier
• When an AC supply is switched ON, the
alternating voltage Vin appears across the
terminals AB of the secondary winding of the
transformer which needs rectification.
• During the positive half cycle of the secondary
voltage, the end A becomes positive, and end
B becomes negative as shown in the figure
below.

10
Waveform of Full Wave Rectifier

11
 Working of Full Wave Rectifier
• The diodes D1 and D3 are forward biased and
the diodes D2 and D4 is reversed biased.
• Therefore, diode D1 and D3 conduct and diode
D2 and D4 do not conduct.
• The current (i) flows through diode D1, load
resistor RL (from M to L), diode D3 and the
transformer secondary.
• The waveform of the full wave bridge rectifier
is shown below.
12
Working of Full Wave Rectifier

13
 Working of Full Wave Rectifier
• During the negative half cycle, the end A
becomes negative and end B positive as
shown in the figure below.

14
 Working of Full Wave Rectifier
• From the above diagram, it is seen that the diode
D2 and D4 are under forward bias and the diodes
D1 and D3 are reverse bias.
• Therefore, diode D2 and D4 conduct while diodes
D1 and D3 do not conduct. Thus, current (i) flows
through the diode D2, load resistor RL (from M to
L), diode D4 and the transformer secondary.
• The current flows through the load resistor RL in
the same direction (M to L) during both the half
cycles.
• Hence, a DC output voltage Vout is obtained across
the load resistor.
15
 Single Phase Half Wave Controlled
Converter with R- Load
Illustrate half wave controlled rectifier (R-load) with circuit diagram and
waveforms.
• Single Phase Half Wave Controlled Rectifier
with 'R' load:
• As shown in figure below primary of
transformer is connected to ac mains supply
with which SCR becomes forward bias in
positive half cycle.
• T1 is triggered at an angle α, T1 conducts and
voltage is applied across R.

16
Single Phase Half Wave Controlled
Converter with R- Load

17
Waveform of Single Phase Half Wave
Controlled Converter with R- Load

18
 Single Phase Half Wave Controlled
Converter with R- Load
• Fig.(a) shows the circuit diagram of a single phase halfwave
controlled rectifier supplying a purely resistive load.
• At ωt = 0 when the input supply voltage becomes positive
the thyristor T becomes forward biased. However, unlike a
diode, it does not turn ON till a gate pulse is applied at ωt =
α.
• During the period 0 < ωt ≤ α, the thyristor blocks the
supply voltage and the load voltage remains zero as shown
in fig 1(b).
• Consequently, no load current flows during this interval. As
soon as a gate pulse is applied to the thyristor at ωt = α it
turns ON.
• The voltage across the thyristor collapses to almost zero
and the full supply voltage appears across the load 19
 Single Phase Half Wave Controlled
Converter with R- Load
• From this point onwards the load voltage follows the
supply voltage. The load being purely resistive the load
current io is proportional to the load voltage.
• At ωt = π as the supply voltage passes through the
negative going zero crossing the load voltage and hence
the load current becomes zero and tries to reverse
direction.
• In the process the thyristor undergoes reverse recovery
and starts blocking the negative supply voltage.
• Therefore, the load voltage and the load current remains
clamped at zero till the thyristor is fired again at ωt = 2π
+ α. The same process repeats there after.
20
Single Phase Half Wave Controlled
Converter with R- Load

21
Single Phase Half Wave Controlled
Converter with R- Load

22
 Single Phase Half Wave Controlled
Converter with R-L Load
• Fig 2 (a) and (b) shows the circuit diagram and the
waveforms of a single phase fully controlled
halfwave rectifier supplying a resistive inductive
load.
• Although this circuit is hardly used in practice its
analysis does provide useful insight into the
operation of fully controlled rectifiers which will
help to appreciate the operation of single phase
bridge converters to be discussed later
23
Single Phase Half Wave Controlled
Converter with R-L Load

24
Waveform of Single Phase Half Wave
Controlled Converter with R-L Load

25
 Single Phase Half Wave Controlled
Converter with R-L Load
• As in the case of a resistive load, the thyristor T
becomes forward biased when the supply voltage
becomes positive at ωt = 0.
• However, it does not start conduction until a gate
pulse is applied at ωt = α. As the thyristor turns ON at
ωt = α the input voltage appears across the load and
the load current starts building up.
• However, unlike a resistive load, the load current does
not become zero at ωt = π, instead it continues to flow
through the thyristor and the negative supply voltage
appears across the load forcing the load current to
decrease
26
 Single Phase Half Wave Controlled
Converter with R-L Load
• Finally, at ωt = β (β > π) the load current becomes zero
and the thyristor undergoes reverse recovery.
• From this point onwards the thyristor starts blocking
the supply voltage and the load voltage remains zero
until the thyristor is turned ON again in the next cycle.
• It is to be noted that the value of β depends on the
load parameters. Therefore, unlike the resistive load
the average and RMS output voltage depends on the
load parameters.
• Since the thyristors does not conduct over the entire
input supply cycle this mode of operation is called the
“discontinuous conduction mode”.

27
Single Phase Half Wave Controlled
Converter with R-L Load

28
 Effect of Freewheeling Diode
• Freewheeling Diode: The diode which is used to
commutate or transfer or bypass load current away
from the rectifier or SCR whenever the load-voltage
goes to a reverse state is called freewheeling diode.
• Freewheeling diode is also called commutating diode,
flywheel diode, or bypass diode
• Freewheeling diode serves two main functions:
• 1. It prevents reversal of load voltage except for small
diode voltage drop. It improves the power factor.
• 2. It transfer the load current away from the main
rectifier or SCR, thereby allowing all of its thyristors to
region their blocking states.

29
 Effect of Freewheeling Diode
• During the positive half cycle inductor charge as
same as the polarity of the dc output voltage.
• When the negative half cycle started, the
inductor will act as a source and it will make the
freewheeling diode forward bias.
• Hence the output voltage become zero and the
inductor current will gradually reduce.
• So that in the output, the current will be there
even the output voltage is zero.
30
Effect of Freewheeling Diode

31
Effect of Freewheeling Diode

32
 SINGLE PHSE FULL WAVE CONTROLLED
RECTIFIER(TWO-QUADRANT CONVERTER)
• There are two basic configurations of full wave
controlled rectifiers.
• Their classification is based on type of SCR
configuration employed.
• They are-
(1) Mid-point converters
(2) Bridge converter

33
Mid-point converters(M-2 Connection)
• In a single phase full wave controlled rectifier
circuit with mid point configuration two SCR (M-
2) and a single phase transformer with center
tapped secondary windings are employed.
• These converters are also referred to as two
pulse converters as two triggering pulses are to
be generated during every cycle of the supply to
the trigger the various SCRs.
• Generally used for rectifiers of low ratings.
34
M-2 Connection with R load

35
 Working of M-2 connection with R-load

• Phase control of both the positive and the

negative halves of the AC supply is now possible,
thus increasing the DC voltage and reducing the
ripple compared to those of half-wave rectifiers.
• During the positive half-cycle of the input voltage,
SCR1 is forward-biased.
• If we apply the gate signal at a SCR1 turns on.
• The output Voltage (Vo) follows the input voltage.

36
 Working of M-2 connection with R-
load
• The load current (io = vo/R) has the same
waveform as the load voltage.
• At , when the current through SCR1 becomes
zero, it turns off naturally.
• During the negative half-cycle; SCR2 is forward
biased. SCR2 is fired at (π+α).
• The output voltage again follows the input
voltage."The current through SCR2 becomes zero
at 2 π; and it turns off.
• Cycle repeats.

37
Waveform of R load

38
39
Circuit Diagram of M-2 with R-L load

40
 Operation of M-2 with R-L load
• Figure shows the waveforms for voltage, and
current, assuming a hilly inductive load so that
the load current is continuous (i.e., present at all
times).
• SCR1 conducts for 180o from α to (π+α), and the
load voltage follows the input voltage.
• At (π+α); SCR2 is fired. SCR1 now turns off, since
the supply voltage immediately appears across it
and applies a reverse bias.
• SCR2 now conducts for 180o from (π+α) to
(2π+α) and supplies power to the load.
41
Wave from of M-2 with R-L load

42
Average voltage in R-L load

43
 Conclusion from this equations:
• The highest value of this voltage will be when the
firing angle is zero i.e. α = 0.
• This voltage is zero when α = 900 .
• Meaning that load voltage will contain equal
positive and negative areas, giving zero output
voltage.
• The voltage negative maximum when α = 1800
• The waveform of different angles are shown in figures

44
Angle alpha = 30 degree

45
Angle alpha = 90 degree

46
α = 1500

47
 With an Inductive (RL) Load and with
Freewheeling Diode
• A freewheeling diode connected across the
inductive load modifies the voltage and current
waveforms of Figure .
• As the load voltage tends to go negative, the FWD
becomes forward-biased and starts conducting.
• Thus, the load voltage is clamped to zero volts.
• A nearly constant load current is maintained by
the freewheeling current through the diode.
• The average d.c. output voltage and current can
be calculated as under:
48
Inductive (RL) Load and with
Freewheeling Diode

49
M-2 configuration with freewheeling
diode DF

50
Waveform of M-2 configuration with
freewheeling diode DF

51
 M-2 configuration with freewheeling
diode DF
• It is observed from figure that the
freewheeling diode, DF, carries the load
current during the firing angle when the
thyristors are not conducting.
• Current through the diode DF given by
Idf = Idc α/ π = (Em/ πR) (1 + cos α ) α/ π

52
 Fully controlled bridge circuit with
resistive load
• An alternative arrangement of two quadrant
converter shown in figure.
• Diagonally opposite pair of thyristors are
made conduct , and are commutated,
simultaneously.
• The operation of this circuit is similar to that
of the 2-pulse midpont circuit.

53
Figure of fully controlled bridge circuit
with resistive load

54
Waveform of fully controlled bridge
circuit with resistive load

55
 Fully controlled bridge circuit with
resistive load
• The single phase fully controlled rectifier
allows conversion of single phase AC into DC.
• Normally this is used in various applications.
• such as battery charging,
• speed control of DC motors
• front end of UPS (Uninterruptible Power
Supply) and
• SMPS (Switched Mode Power Supply).
56
 Fully controlled bridge circuit with
resistive load
• The turn-on instants of these devices are dependent on
the firing signals that are given.
• Turn-off happens when the current through the device
reaches zero and it is reverse biased at least for
duration equal to the turn-off time of the device
specified in the data sheet.
• In positive half cycle thyristors T1 & T2 are fired at an
angle α, then current flows through L-T1-R-T2-N
• In negative half cycle of input voltage, SCR's T3 &T4 are
triggered at an angle of (π+α).
• Current flows through N-T3-R-T4-L. 57
 Fully controlled bridge circuit with
resistive load
• Thyristors T1, T2 pair and T3, T4 pair are
triggered at the same firing angle alpha in
each positive and negative half cycle of the
supply voltage, respectively.
• T3 & T4 becomes off at 2π.

58
 Fully controlled bridge circuit with
inductive load[R-L Load]
• The single phase fully controlled bridge circuit
with R-L load is shown in figure.
• Conduction does not takes place until the
thyristor are fired and in order to current flow.

59
Figure of fully controlled bridge circuit
with inductive load[R-L Load]

60
 Operation
• Operation of this mode can be divided between four
modes
Mode 1 (α to π)
• In positive half cycle of applied ac signal, SCR's T1 &
T2 are forward bias & can be turned on at an angle α.
• Current flows through the path L-T1-A-L- R-B-T2-N.
• Load voltage is equal to positive instantaneous ac
supply voltage. The load current is positive, ripple
free, constant and equal to Io.
• Due to positive polarity of load voltage & load
current, load inductance will store energy.

61
 Operation
• Mode 2 (π to π+α)
• At wt=π, input supply is equal to zero & after π it
becomes negative. But inductance opposes any change
through it.
• In order to maintain a constant load current & also in
same direction. A self induced emf appears across 'L' as
shown.
• Due to this induced voltage, SCR's T1 & T2 are forward
bias in spite the negative supply voltage.
• The load voltage is negative & equal to instantaneous ac
supply voltage whereas load current is positive.
• Thus, load acts as source & stored energy in inductance is
returned back to the ac supply.
62
 Operation
• Mode 3 (π+α to 2π)
• At wt = π+α SCR's T3 & T4 are turned on & T1, T2
are reversed bias.
• Thus , process of conduction is transferred from
T1,T2 to T3,T4.
• The current flows the path N-T3-A-L-R-B-T4-L.
• Load voltage again becomes positive & energy is
stored in inductor
• T3, T4 conduct in negative half cycle from (π+α) to
2π
• With positive load voltage & load current energy
gets stored
63
 Operation
• Mode 4 (2π to 2π+α)
• At wt=2π, input voltage passes through zero.
• Inductive load will try to oppose any change in
current if in order to maintain load current constant
& in the same direction.
• Induced emf is positive & maintains conducting
SCR's T3 & T4 with reverse polarity also.
• Thus VL is negative & equal to instantaneous ac
supply voltage. Whereas load current continues to
be positive.
• Thus load acts as source & stored energy in
inductance is returned back to ac supply
• At wt=α or 2π+α, T3 & T4 are commutated and
T1,T2 are turned on. 64
fully controlled bridge circuit with
inductive load[R-L Load]

65
Rectifying
mode alpha=600

66
 Rectifying mode
• During the interval α to π, both supply voltage
Es and supply-current Is are positive; power,
therefore, flows from a.c. source to load.
• During the interval (π + π+α), Es is negative
but Is is positive, therefore returns some of its
energy current to the supply system.
• But the net power flow is from a.c. source to
d.c. load because (π-α) > α.

67
Inverting
mode alpha=1350

68
 Inverting mode
• Firing pulses are retarded by an angle of 1350 .
• The d.c. terminal voltage waveforms now contains
a mean negative component, and the
fundamental component of the a.c. line current
waveform lags the voltage by 1350.
• Since the mean d.c. terminal voltage is negative α > 900
, the d.c. power and also mean a.c. power, must also
be negative.
• Power is now being delivered from the d.c. side of
converter to the a.c. side, and the converter is
operating as a line commutated inverter.
69
Figure of fully-controlled bridge-converter
operating as a “line commutated inverter

70
 fully-controlled bridge-converter
operating as a “line commutated
inverter
• In order to achieve this situation in practice, it is
necessary for a source of d.c. voltage E whose
voltage equals to the average d.c. voltage
(negative) of the converter must be connected in
the output.
• If this d.c. voltage source is not connected , the
conduction will cease somewhere before the
angle (1800 + α).
• Such a operation is the used in regenerative
breaking mode of d.c. drives and high voltage
direct current (HVDC) transmission.

71
Example

72
Solution

73
Solution

74
 Single phase half controlled bridge
converter with resistive load
• Many applications actually require operation only
with a positive voltage, that is only in rectifying
mode.
• In such cases, it is generally advantageous to
connect uncontrolled diodes into certain parts of
the circuit.
• When one pair of SCRs is replaced by diodes in
single phase fully controlled bridge converter
circuit, the resultant circuit obtained called as a
half controlled bridge circuit.
75
 Single phase half controlled bridge
converter with resistive load
• With this type of circuit, it is possible to provide a
continuous control of the mean d.c. terminal
voltage, from maximum to virtually zero, by but
reversal of the mean voltage is not possible.
• Only a one quadrant operation can be obtained.
• Two different versions of half controlled bridge
circuit with resistive load are shown I figure.
• Half controlled converters are also known as
“semiconverter.”
76
 Single phase half controlled bridge
converter with resistive load
• In a symmetrical configuration, the cathodes
of two SCRs are at the same potential so their
gates can be connected and a single gate pulse
can be used for triggering either SCR.
• The SCR which is forward biased at that
instant of firing will turn on.
• In asymmetrical configuration, separate
triggering circuits are to be used

77
Symmetrical configuration

78
Asymmetrical configuration

79
 Symmetrical configuration
• Now consider symmetrical configuration of half
controlled bridge circuit.
• During the positive half cycle of the a.c. supply,
the thyristor T1 and diode D1 are forward biased
and are in the forward blocking mode.
• When the SCR T1 is triggered, at a firing angle α,
the current flow through the path L-T1-R-D1-N.
• Load current will flow until it is commutated by
reversal of supply voltage at wt = π.
80
 Symmetrical configuration
• During the negative half cycle of the a.c. supply,
thyristor T2 and diode D2 are forward biased and
are in the forward blocking mode.
• When the SCR T2 is triggered, at a firing angle π +
α, the current flow through the path N-T2-A-R-B-
D2-L.
• This current is continuous till 2π, when SCR T2 is
turned off.
• The voltage and current relations are derived as
follows.
81
Waveform of symmetrical

82
Symmetrical configuration

83
 Single phase half controlled bridge
converter with inductive(R-L) load
• The figures shows two alternative arrangement of
two 2- pulse half controlled bridge converter with
inductive load.
• Symmetric configuration, as shown in figure (a),
thyristor T1 is turned on at a firing angle α in each
positive half cycle.
• From this instant α, supply voltage appears across
output terminal AB, through thyristor T1 and
diode D1 .
• Current flows through the path L-T1-A-L-R-B-D1-
N.
84
 Figures of symmetrical and
asymmetrical configurations

85
 Working in symmetrical configuration
• Here, the filter inductance L is assumed to be sufficiently
large as to produce continuous current.
• This current Id is taken to be constant.
• Hence during positive half cycle-cycle, thyristor T1 and diode
D1 conducts.
• When the supply voltage reverses at wt= π, the diode D2 is
forward biased since dIode D1 is already conducting.
• The diode D2 turns ON, and the load current passes through
D2 and T1.
• The supply voltage reverse-biases D1 and turns it off.
• Thus the load current freewheels through the path R-B-D2-
T1-A-L during the interval from π to π+ α in each supply-
cycle.
86
 Working in symmetrical configuration
• During the negative half cycle, at the instant π+ α, a
triggering pulse is applied to the forward biased thyristor
T2.
• Thyristor T2 is turned ON
• As thyristor T2 is turned ON , the supply voltage reverse-
biased T1 and then turns it OFF by the line commutation.
• Therefore, the load current floes through T2 and D2, the
above cycle repeats and waveforms obtained are shown
in figure, which are similar to that fully controlled
converter with a freewheeling diode.
• Here we have seen that the conduction period of
thyristors and diode are equal, therefore this circuit
called the symmetrical configuraton.
87
 Working in asymmetrical configuration
• Now we consider asymmetrical configuration.
• During positive half cycle-cycle, thyristor T1 and diode D1
conducts are forward-biased.
• Thyristor T1 is turned on at a firing angle α.
• Current flows through the path L-T1-A-L-R-B-D1-N.
• Hence thyristor T1 and diode D1 conduct from
α to π.
• Similarly T2 and D2 conduct from π+ α to 2π in each negetive
half cycle of the a.c. supply.
• The freewheeling action is provided by diodes D1 and D2 from 0
to α and from π to π + α in each cycle.
• In this configuration, conduction of periods of thyristors and
diodes are unequal.
• Hence this circuit is known as the asymmetrical configuration.88
Working in asymmetrical configuration

89
 Working in asymmetrical
configuration
• In above discussion, we have seen that the
thyristor conducts for a longer interval in the
symmetrical circuit configuration.
• Therefore, the thyristors used in this circuit
must have a higher average current-rating
compared to those in the asymmetrical circuit
configuration

90
Average d.c. output voltage

91
Waveform for symmetrical
configuration

92
Waveform for asymmetrical
configuration

93
 Operation with Practical R-L Loads
• In practical circuits, the load will always be a combination
of some finite resistance R with inductance L.
• The actual values of R and L decides the amount of energy
stored by the load and the time taken to release that
energy in the process of the free wheeling.
• Hence the operation of thee semi converter (with R-L
load), is divided into two modes, depending on the nature
of the load current.
(a) Continuous current mode
(b) Discontinuous current mode
• Figure (a) and (b) show the load voltage and current
waveforms of these modes.
94
Operation with Practical R-L Loads

95
Operation with Practical R-L Loads

96
 THREE PHASE CONTROLLED
CONVERTER
• The converter operating from a single phase supply
produces a relatively high proportion of a.c. ripple-
voltage at its d.c. terminals.
• This ripple is generally undesirable because of its heat
producing effect.
• Therefore, a large outlay of smoothing reactor is
necessary to smoothen the output voltage as well as to
reduce the possibility of discontinuous operation.
• The need for smoothing can be minimized by increasing
the number of pulses.
• A three phase a.c. supply with a suitable transformer
connection permit an increase in the pulse number.

97
 THREE PHASE CONTROLLED
CONVERTER
• When the number of pulses of the converter increased,
the number of segments that fabricate the output voltage
also increases and consequently the ripple content
decrease.
• Higher the pulse number, smoother is the output voltage.
• Three phase rectifier circuits are used for large power
applications.
• Generation of the three phase a.c. power is now universal
and in countries, only generation frequency may be
different.
• Now a days, 11 KV, 33KV, 66KV, three phase a.c. supply
available to the industries.
98
 THREE PHASE CONTROLLED
CONVERTER
• These voltages are suitably stepped down using
transformers.
• These transformers are generally delta-
connected on primary side and star-connected on
the secondary side.
• Three phase controlled converter circuits can be
studied under following categories:
• (1) Three pulse converters
• (2) Six pulse converter s
• (3) Twelve pulse converters

99
 THREE PULSE CONVERTERS
(M3 CONNECTION)
• Three pulse converters are also known as the
three phase half wave controlled converter.
• The simplest type of phase controlled
converter operating from a three phase supply
is the three pulse midpoint converter.

100
 Three phase half wave controlled
converter with resistive load
• This configuration is called as the mid-point
configuration because all the phase emfs can
have a common terminal which may be
considered as the neutral point or the mid point.
• As shown in figure, the primary is connected in
delta fashion and secondary in star.
• The load is connected to the neutral point.
• For this analysis of the circuit, the leakage
inductance and
101
 Figure of three phase half wave
controlled converter with resistive load

102
 Working
• The vector diagram of the three phase voltage shown
in figure.
• The circuit functions in a manner such that only SCR is
conducting at any given instant, the one which is
connected to the phase having the highest
instantaneous positive value.
• Here no SCR can be triggered below a phase angle 300
because it remains reverse biased by the other
conducting phase.
• The firing angle α for a particular thyristor connected
in a particular phase is therefore measured from 300
with respect to the corresponding phase voltage.
103
Vector diagram of three phase voltage

104
 Working
• The various waveform for the three phase half-wave
controlled rectifier with resistive load are shown in figure.
• As shown in vector diagram, phase A and C are equally
positive with respect to the neutral.
• The SCR T1 connected to phase A cannot trigger below an
angle 300 since it is already reverse biased by the already
conducting SCR T3.
• Therefore minimum firing angle is π/6.
• The firing angle α is measured from the crossover points of
the voltage waveform as these are the points at which the
equivalent thyristor would start conduct.
• This gives a conduction period for each thyristor equal to
1/3 of of the supply cycle-period(1200). 105
 Working
• As shown in figure(a), SCR T1 will start conducting
from wt = 300 to wt= 1500 , as this SCR T1 is the
most positive as compared to the other two SCRs
T2, T3 during this interval.
• SCR T2 will conduct from wt = 1500 to wt= 2700
and SCR T3 from wt = 2700 to wt= 3900 .
• When an SCR is conducting, the common cathod
terminal p rises to the highest positive voltage of
that phase and the other two blocking SCRs are
reverse biased.
• The voltage across the load follows the positive
supply voltage envelop and has the waveform as
shown in figure(b)
106
107
 Working
• With resistive load, there are two modes of
conduction. They are
(1) Continuous conduction mode for a < 300 .
(2) Discontinuous conduction mode for a > 300
When the firing angle a is taken in between 00 to 300,
from the cross-over point, the load current is
continuous mode.
• This is due to the fact, that the maximum value of the
conduction angle of an SCR is 1200 .
• It is shown in figure (c).
• If the firing angle kept more than 300 , then the
conduction angle will be less than 120.
108
 Working
• The output voltage and current pulses
become discontinuous, that is during some
part of cycle the voltage and current remains
at zero.
• The discontinuous conduction mode of
operation is shown in figure (d).
• Now we derive the various voltage and
current relationship for both continuous and
discontinuous modes.

109
Continuous conduction mode

110
111
112
 Three phase half wave controlled
rectifier with inductive (R-L) load
• Figure shows the power diagram of three
phase half wave controlled rectifier with R-L
load.
• The primary of the transformer is connected
in delta fashion and secondary in star.
• For the simplification of the analysis, it is
assumed that the current waveform for each
transformer secondary winding is rectangular.

113
Figure of three phase half wave controlled
rectifier with inductive (R-L) load

114
115
 voltage and current waveforms for α = 0o

• Typical waveforms associated with three pulse converter,

assuming a perfectly smooth direct current, are shown in
figure.
• The firing angle α = 0o .
• Each thyristor conduct for a period of 120o of the input a.c.
supply.
• The fundamental frequency of the ripple voltage at the d.c.
terminals is 3-times the input frequency, that is, there are
three pulses at the output.
• The current waveform in each thyristor consists of a
unidirectional rectangular block, having a duration of 120o .

116
Voltage and
current
waveforms for
45o

117
Voltage and
current
waveforms for
90o

118
Voltage and
current
waveforms for
135o

119
Voltage and
current
waveforms for
180o

120
Three pulse mid-point converter with
a freewheeling diode

121
Waveform of Three pulse mid-point
converter with a freewheeling diode

122
 SIX PULSE CONVERTER
• The three pulse converter not become very popular
because of the fact that they require special types of
converter transformer to prevent d.c. magnetization.
• Therefore, a three phase converter with higher pulse
number is developed to provide large output and least
ripple content.
• Six pulse and twelve pulse converter have been
developed.
• Six pulse connections are most widely used in
industrial applications.
• 12-pulse connections are used in transmission
123
Six pulse connections have the following
Advantages compared to three pulse
converter
• Commutation is made very easier.
• Distortion on the a.c. side is reduced due to
the reduction in lower-order harmonics.
• Inductance required in series is considerably
reduced.

124
 Six pulse converter
• Six pulse converters can be realized in the
following forms:
• (1) Simple six pulse converter
• (2) Six pulse mid-point converter with
interphase-transformers
• (3) Six pulse bridge-converter

125
 Simple six pulse mid-point converter
with inductive load(Six pulse double
bar circuit or M-6 Connection)
• The power diagram of a six pulse half wave controlled
rectifier with inductive load shown in figure.
• The converter transformer used convert three-phase
supply to six phase one and makes it available to the
converter terminals.
• The secondary of transformer has six phases.
• The secondary voltages are displaced from each other
by 60o and supplied to the anodes of the six thyristors.
• The common cathode connection becomes a d.c.
terminal.
126
 Simple six pulse mid-point converter
with inductive load
• The load is connected between the star-point
of the secondaries of the transformer and
common cathode point.
• The vector diagram of the six pulse voltage is
shown in figure.
• The related voltage and current waveforms
are shown in figure.

127
Six pulse converter

128
Vector diagram

129
130
 Simple six pulse mid-point converter
with inductive load
• Although a six-pulse voltage waveform is obtained at
the d.c. terminals, this circuit has the practical
disadvantage that each thyristor conducts for a period
of only 60o during each cycle.
• This results in a relatively high ratio of the RMS to
average current in the thyristors, as well as in the
windings of the transformer.
• Consequently, the utilization factor of the circuit is
relatively poor.
• For this reason, this six pulse circuit is not used in
practice.

131
Average value of the d.c. voltage

132
 Simple six pulse mid-point converter
with inductive load
• Comparing equations of average value of d.c.
voltages available at output in three pulse
and six pulse converters, six pulse converter
has greater than that of three pulse converter.
• The variation of the firing angle controls the
average value.
• For angle 0 < α < 90o , the load voltage varies
from positive maximum to zero and the
converter operates in the rectification mode.

133
 Simple six pulse mid-point converter
with inductive load
• For 90o < α < 180o , the voltage varies from
zero to negative maximum and the converter
operates in the inversion mode.
• If a negative d.c. source is available t the load,
then the power is transferred from the d.c.
side to the a.c. side.
• The mean d.c. voltage is superimposed by
harmonics.

134
 Simple six pulse mid-point converter
with inductive load
• The minimum order of the harmonics present is
the supply frequency.
• Because of this, the smoothing inductance
required in this case is smaller than the one
required for the three pulse converter.
• If load is purely resistive, then two modes of
operation are possible :
• (i) Continuous conduction mode for 0o < α < 60o
• (ii) Discontinuous conduction mode for 60o < α <
120o

135
 Six pulse mid-point converter with
interphase reactor
• In practice, the simple transformer connection of figure in
which current flows in each leg of the primary winding for
only one third of a cycle, is not normally used.
• Introduced high levels of harmonics current into the primary
system.
• To reduce he levels of primary harmonics current , a six
pulse mid-point converter with interphase reactor is used.
• By interposing an interphase reactor between the d.c.
terminals of two 3-phase circuits, having mutually displaced
a.c. input voltages shown as shown in figure.
• A better utilization of thyristors and transformer winding can
be achieved.
• Here the star points of two sets of the secondary winding
have been connected by an interphase reactor.
136
Six pulse mid-point converter with
interphase reactor

137
 Six pulse mid-point converter with
interphase reactor
• The related waveforms are shown in figure.
• Each three-pulse commutating group of
thyristors (T1, T3, T5 and T,2, T4 , T6 ) now
operates independently of the other and
therefore, ech thyristor conducts for a period
of 120o .
• The mean d.c. terminal voltage of each group
is the same as one another.

138
 Six pulse mid-point converter with
interphase reactor
• Theoretically, since there is no mean voltage
difference across the inter-phase reactor, the value
of the mean d.c. terminal voltage of the
combination is equal to the mean d.c. terminal
voltage of the combination is equal to the mean
d.c. terminal voltage of either group.
• If we assume the ideal case, then the direct load
current is shared equally between the groups and
therefore, there is no d.c. magnetism of the core of
the interphase reactor.
• Practically, some current unbalance may exist but
this can be kept relatively small.
139
α = 60o

140
α =150o

141
 Three phase fully controlled bridge
converter
• If we connect the d.c. terminal of two 3-pulse
converters in series, the converter so formed
is called 6-pulse bridge converter.
• This converter is most widely used in
industrial applications up to he 120 kW level,
where two quadrant operation is required.

142
Three phase fully controlled bridge
converter

143
Firing sequence of SCR

144
Vector diagram

145
Equation for phase and line voltage

146
 3-phase fully controlled rectifier with
resistive load
• Three phase fully controlled bridge rectifier
with resistive load is shown in figure.
• Fie six pulse operation, each SCR has to be
fired twice in its conduction cycle, that is firing
interval should be 60o .

147
3-phase fully controlled rectifier with
resistive load

148
 Waveform of 3-phase fully controlled
rectifier with resistive load
• The output voltage waveform of different values ‘α’ i.e. α
= 0o, 30o , 60o , 90o and 120o .
• The following point to be noted from figure.
• Outout voltage waveform for any value of α is a six pulse
wave with a ripple frequency of 300 Hz.
• Continuous conduction mode (0o ≤ α ≤ 60o)
• When a phaser A-B is allowed to conduct at α between 0
to 60, it continuous to conduct by 60o whane the phaser
A-C is fired.
• The conduction is shifted from SCR T6 to SCR T2.
• T6 is commutated off by the reverse voltage of phase C
and B across it.
149
 Waveform of 3-phase fully controlled
rectifier with resistive load
• The phaser A-C conducts after another 60o
after which it is replaced by phase B-C when B
voltage assume greater value than C or A.
Hence, load current is continuous for α
between 0o to 60o

150
R
Load

151
Continuous mode

152
153
α < 90o
R-load

154
R-L load

155
Average output voltage

156
R M S output voltage

157
R M S output voltage

158
Rectification
operation
( α < 90o)

159
Inversion
operation
(90o ≤ α ≤ 180o)

160
 Three phase half controlled bridge
converter(Three-phase semi converters )

161
 Three-phase semi converters
• Here symmetrical half wave controlled bridge is
shown in figure.
• Asymmetrical configuration is not used because it
introduces imbalance in line current on a.c. side.
• Used in industrial application up to 120 KW level
where one quadrant operation is required.
• The power factor of this converter decreases as
the delay angle decreases, but is better than that
of three phase half wave converters.
162
Three phase semiconductor with
freewheeling diode

163
164
Table for devices conducts during each
line voltage

165
Table for α = 0o

166
Table for Incoming, outgoing and
conducting devices

167
Inductive load,
α = 30o and
α = 90o

168
Figure showing waveforms illustrating
half waving effect

169