DRE2143

Power Electronics
Chapter 2
AC to DC Conversion (Rectifier)
Part I
 • Upon completion of the chapter the student
should be able to:
• State the characteristics of rectifiers
• Discuss the parameters and
different topologies rectifier
Learning
circuits
Objectives
• Simulate different rectifier circuits
Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion in computer software DRE2143 by bbh997_0066 2
 Overview
Half-Wave Rectifier Full-Wave Rectifier

• Single-phase, 1 • Single-phase, 1

• Uncontrolled • Uncontrolled
• R load • R load
• R-L load
• R-L load
• Controlled
• R-C load
• R load
• Controlled • R-L load
• R load • continuous current
• R-L load mode (CCM)
• Free wheeling diode • Discontinuous current
mode (DCM)
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Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion 3
 Definition
RECTIFIERS Rectifier Block-Diagram

Converting AC (from
mains or other AC
source) to DC power by
using power diodes or
• Input can be single-phase or
by controlling the firing multi-phase (e.g. 3-phase).
angles of • Output can be made fixed or
variable
thyristors/controllable • Applications:
switches. • DC welder, DC motor
drive, Battery charger,
DC power supply, HVDC
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Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion 4
 Concept of RMS Values
root mean square

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Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion 5
2.1 Uncontrolled Half-
Wave Rectifier
2.1.1 R-Load
 Assumptions

To simplify calculations in this

chapter, the diode are considered
to be ideal
• (trr=0 and VD=0)

The simplest type → not normally

used in industrial applications

Useful in understanding the

Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion
principle of rectifier operation.
DRE2143 by bbh997_0066
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Half-Wave Rectifier (R-load) 8

A rectifier converts ac to dc signal.

The purpose of a rectifier may be to produce an

output that is purely dc, or to produce a voltage or
current waveform that has a specified dc component.

The average current for half wave rectifier will not be

zero

This reason limits the half wave rectifier in low

applications only

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bbh997_0066
Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion
 Single-Phase Half-Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier with
Resistive Load

Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion
DRE2143 by bbh997_0066
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 Single-Phase Half-Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier
with Resistive Load

Since the load is

resistive, therefore the
load voltage and
current are in-phase
and related by io = vo
/ R.

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Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion bbh997_0066
 Performance Parameters

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Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion
 Half-Wave Rectifier (R-load)

Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion
DRE2143 by bbh997_0066
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 Half-Wave Rectifier (R-load)

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DRE2143 by bbh997_0066

Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion
 Example #1

 Consider the half-wave rectifier circuit with a

resistive load of 25  and a 60 Hz ac source of
110Vrms.
a) Calculate the average values of the output voltage
and current.
b) Discuss the limitation that these values have for
certain applications.
c) Calculate the rms values of the output voltage and
current.
d) Calculate the average power delivered to the load.
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Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion DRE2143 by bbh997_0066
 Solution Example #1

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Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion
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 Solution Example #1

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Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion
DRE2143 by bbh997_0066
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 Example #2

 For the half-wave rectifier, the source is a

sinusoid of 120Vrms at a frequency of 60Hz.
The load resistor is 5. Determine
i. The average load current,
ii. The average power absorbed by the load, and
iii. The power factor of the circuit.

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Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion
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 Solution Example #2

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Chapter 2: AC to DC Conversion
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2.1 Uncontrolled Half-Wave
Rectifier
2.1.2 RL-Load
Half-Wave Rectifier
(RL-load)

 Industrial load typically contain

inductance as well as resistance.
 By adding an inductor in series with
the load resistance causes an increase
in the conduction period of the load
current, hence resulting the half-wave
rectifier circuit working under an
inductive load.
 Single-Phase
Half-Wave
Uncontrolled
Rectifier
with R-L
Load

If the load consists of a series resistor and

inductor, the current will flow through the
negative cycle as well
Single-Phase Half-Wave Uncontrolled
Rectifier with R-L Load

1) From 0 – ωt1: The current rises from zero to

peak, which lags the voltage peak due to circuit
inductance; vL is positive and the inductor store
energy.
2) From ωt1 – π : The current decays, and hence vL
is negative. Both source and inductor supply
energy to R.
Each supply period (cycle)
3) From π – β : The current continues to decay until
can be divided into 4-
it reaches zero, vL remains negative, and hence
distinct regions:- energy is supplied by the inductor to both
source and resistor.
4) From β – 2π : At β current reaches zero and the
diode cut-out. Current remains zero until the
beginning of the next positive half cycle.
Half-Wave Rectifier (RL-load)
Half-Wave Rectifier (RL-load)
Half-Wave Rectifier (RL-load)
Half-Wave Rectifier (RL-load)

 The natural response is the transient that occurs

when the load is energized. (when source=0).
 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 :

Where  is the time constant; A is a constant that is

determined from the initial condition
Half-Wave Rectifier (RL-load)

 The complete solution is :

 A is zero at start-up [ i(0)=0 ] where t=0;

 Therefore, the current can be written as,

The equation is valid for positive current only because of the diode.
The current is zero when function of the equation is negative.
Half-Wave Rectifier (RL-load)

 Note that the diode remains

in forward biased longer than
π radian (although the
source is negative)
 The point when current
reaches zero is when diode
turns off.
 This point is known as the
extinction angle, β.
 β can only solved by using
numerical method.
 The current in the half wave
rectifier circuit with R-L load
can be summarized as;
 Half-Wave Rectifier (RL-load)

 The rms value of the current is

determined from the current
function as;

 The average power absorbed

by the load is I2rmsR, since the
average power absorbed by
the inductor is zero.

 The average output voltage is;

 The average load current is;

 Example #3

 For half-wave rectifier with R-L load, R=100, L=0.1H, ω=377rad/s,

and Vm=100V, =201 .ͦ Determine
i. An expression for the current in this circuit
ii. The average current
iii. The rms current
iv. The power absorbed by the R-L load, and
v. The power factor
Solution Example #3
2.1 Uncontrolled Half-Wave
Rectifier
2.1.3 Free-Wheeling Diode
FreeWheeling Diode (FWD)

 Note that, previously discussed uncontrolled half-wave RL load

rectifier allows load current to present at certain period (current
decreasing by time since opposing negative cycle of input), hence
reducing the average output voltage due to the negative
segment.
 In other word, for single-phase, half wave rectifier with R-L load,
the load (output) current is NOT CONTINUOUS.
 A FWD (sometimes known as commutation diode) can be placed
in parallel to RL load to make the load (output) current
continuous.
FreeWheeling Diode (FWD)
FreeWheeling Diode (FWD)
 Example #4

 Determine the average load

voltage and current, and
determine the power absorbed
by the resistor in the FWD
circuit, where R=2 and
L=25mH, Vm=100V; 60Hz.
Solution Example #4
2.1 Uncontrolled Half-Wave
Rectifier
2.1.4 RC-Load
Half-Wave Rectifier (RC-load)

 In some applications in which

a constant output is
desirable, a series inductor is
replaced by a parallel
capacitor.
 The purpose of capacitor is
to reduce the variation in the
output voltage, making it
more like dc.
 The resistance may represent
an external load, while the
capacitor is a filter of rectifier
circuit.
Half-Wave Rectifier (RC-load)
Half-Wave Rectifier (RC-load)
Half-Wave Rectifier (RC-load)
 Example #5

 The half-wave rectifier has 120Vrms source at 60Hz,

R=500, C=100μF and delay when diode turns on is
given 48. Determine
 The expression of output voltage
 Ripple voltage
 Peak diode current
 Sketch and label the output waveform
 Value of C as ripple voltage is 1% of Vm, and hence
 find new α under this condition.
Solution Example #5
2.2 Controlled Half-Wave
Rectifier
2.2.1 R-Load
Controlled Half-Wave Rectifier
Controlled Half-Wave Rectifier
(R-load)
 Example #6

 Design a circuit to produce an average

voltage of 40V across 100 load resistor
from a 120Vrms 60 Hz ac source.
a) Determine the power absorbed by the
resistor and the power factor.
b) Briefly describe what happen if the
circuit is replaced by diode to produce
the same average output.
Solution Example #6
2.2 Controlled Half-Wave
Rectifier
2.2.2 RL-Load
Controlled Half-Wave Rectifier
(RL-load)
 Example #7

 For controlled RL rectifier, the source is

120Vrms at 60Hz, R=20, L=0.04H, delay angle
is 45 and extinction angle is 217. Determine
i. An expression for i(ωt)
ii. Average current
iii. Power absorbed by load
iv. Power factor
Solution Example #7
End of
Chapter 2
Part 1