L12 Single Phase Uncontrolled Rectifier
L12 Single Phase Uncontrolled Rectifier
2
AC to DC Converters
Version 2 EE IIT, Kharagpur 1
Lesson
12
Single Phase Uncontrolled
Rectifier
Version 2 EE IIT, Kharagpur 2
Operation and Analysis of three phase uncontrolled rectifier.
Instructional Objectives
On completion the student will be able to
• Draw the conduction table and waveforms of a three phase half wave uncontrolled
converter supplying resistive and resistive inductive loads.
• Calculate the average and RMS values of the input / output current and voltage
waveforms of a three phase uncontrolled half wave converter.
• Analyze the operation of a three phase full wave uncontrolled converter to find out the
input / output current and voltage waveforms along with their RMS and Average values.
• Find out the harmonic components in the input / output voltage and current waveforms of
a three phase uncontrolled full wave converter.
• Analyze the operation of a three phase full wave uncontrolled converter supplying a
Capacitive – Resistive load.
Many of these disadvantages are mitigated to a large extent by using three phase ac – dc
converters. In a way it is also natural that bulk loads are supplied by three phase converters since
bulk electrical power is always transmitted and distributed in three phases and high power should
load three phases symmetrically. Polyphase rectifiers produce less ripple output voltage and
current compared to single phase rectifiers. The efficiency of polyphase rectifier is also higher
while the associated equipments are smaller.
A three phase supply gives the choice of a number of circuits. These can be placed in one of two
groups according to whether three or six diodes are used. These topologies will be analyzed in
detail in this section.
Fig. 12.1 (b) shows the conduction table of the converter. It should be noted that for the
type of load chosen the converter always operates in the continuous conduction mode. The
conduction diagram for the diodes (as shown in Fig. 12.1 (c) second waveform) can be drawn
easily from the conduction diagram. Since the diodes can block only negative voltage it follows
from the conduction table that a phase diode conducts only when that phase voltage is maximum
The phase current waveforms of Fig. 12.1 (c) deserve special mention. All of them have a
dc component which flows through the ac source. This may cause “dc saturation” in the ac side
transformer. This is one reason for which the converter configuration is not preferred very much
in practice.
3 5π/6
2π ∫π/6
VOAV = 2Vi sin ωt d(ωt)
3 6
= Vi (12.1)
2π
1
⎡ 3 5π/6 ⎤2
VORMS = ⎢ ∫ 2Vi2 sin 2 ωt d(ωt) ⎥
⎣ 2π π/6 ⎦
1
⎡ 3 3 ⎤2
= ⎢1 + ⎥ Vi (12.2)
⎣ 4π ⎦
VORMS
∴ The output voltage form factor = = 1.01 (12.3)
VOAV
VOAV
IO av = ,
R
IO
Ii RMS = I a RMS = I b RMS = I c RMS = (12.4)
3
3 6
VO av IO Vi IO
3
∴ Input power factor = AV
= 2π = (12.5)
3Vi Ii RMS IO 2π
3Vi
3
The harmonics present in vo and ii can be found by Fourier series analysis of the
corresponding waveforms of Fig. 12.1 (c) and is left as an exercise.
Exercise 12.1
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
Answers: (i) three; (ii) three, four; (iii) 2π/3; (iv) three; (v) dc.
2. Assuming ripple free output current, find out the, displacement factor, distortion factor
and power factor of a three phase half wave rectifier supplying an R – L load.
With reference to Fig 12.1 the expression for phase current ia can be written as
π 5π
i a = Id ≤ ωt ≤
6 6
ia = 0 otherwise.
i a1 = 2 Ia1 sin(ωt + φ)
A1
where 2 Ia1 = A12 + B12 and φ = tan -1
B1
1 2π
π ∫0
A1 = i a cosωt dωt
1 2π
B1 = ∫ i a sinωt dωt
π 0
5π
1
∴ A1 = ∫π6 Id cosωt dωt = 0
π 6
5π
1 6 3
B1 = ∫
π 6
π I d sinωt dωt =
π
Id
3 3 Id
∴ 2I a1 = B1 = Id ∴ Ia1 =
π 2 π
φ = 0 ∴ Displacement factor = cosφ = 1.
Id
R.M.S value of ia = Ia =
3
Ia1 3
∴ Distortion factor = =
Ia 2π
3
Power Factor = Disp. Factor × Dist. Factor =
2π
It will also be assumed in the following analysis that the load side inductance is large enough to
keep the load current continuous. The relevant condition for continuous conduction will be
derived but analysis of discontinuous conduction mode will not be attempted. Compared to
single phase converters the cases of discontinuous conduction in 3 phase bridge converter are
negligible.
Fig. 12.2 (b) shows voltages across different diodes and the output voltage in each of
these conduction modes. The time interval during which a particular conduction mode will be
effective can be ascertained from this table. For example the D1D2 conduction mode will occur
when the voltage across all other diodes (i.e. vba, vca and vcb) are negative. This implies that
D1D2 conducts in the interval 0 ≤ ωt ≤ π/3 as shown in Fig. 12.2 (c). The diodes have been
numbered such that the conduction sequence is D1 → D2 → D3 → D4 → D5 → D6 → D1---.
When a diode stops conduction its current is commutated to another diode in the same group (top
or bottom). This way the sequence of conduction modes become, D1D2 → D2D3 → D3D4 →
D4D5 → D5D6 → D6D1 → D1D2 ---. The conduction diagram in Fig. 12.2 (c) is constructed
accordingly.
The output dc voltage can be constructed from this conduction diagram using appropriate
line voltage segments as specified in the conduction table.
The input ac line currents can be constructed from the conduction diagram and the output
current. For example
ia = io for 0 ≤ ωt ≤ π/3 and 5π/3 ≤ ωt ≤ 2π
ia = - io for 2π/3 ≤ ωt ≤ 4π/3
ia = 0 otherwise. (12.6)
The line current wave forms and their fundamental components are shown in Fig. 12.2 (c).
It is clear from Fig 12.2 (c) that the dc voltage output is periodic over one sixth of the input ac
cycle.
3 2π/3 3 2
VOAV =
π ∫π/3
2VL sin ωt dωt =
π
VL (12.8)
3 2π/3 2
VORMS =
π ∫π/3
2VL sin 2 ωt dωt
⎛ 3 3⎞
= ⎜⎜ 1 + ⎟VL (12.9)
⎝ 2π ⎟⎠
2 VOAV − E
Ii RMS = IOAV ; IOAV = (12.10)
3 R
VOAV 6
∴ Ii1 = IOAV = IOAV (12.12)
3VL π
3 Ii1
∴ Power factor = distortion factor = = (12.13)
Ii RMS π
A closed form expression for io can be found as follows
ωt - π/3
-
tanφ 2VL ⎡ sinθ ⎤
io = I1e + ⎢ sin(ωt - φ) - (12.15)
Z ⎣ cosφ ⎥⎦
ωL E
Where tanφ = ; sinθ = ; Z = R 2 + ω2 L2
R 2VL
Now since the current waveform is periodic over one sixth of the input ac cycle
⎛ π⎞ ⎛ 2π ⎞
i o ⎜ ωt = ⎟ = i o ⎜ ωt = ⎟ (12.16)
⎝ 3⎠ ⎝ 3 ⎠
π
2VL ⎡ ⎛ π ⎞ sinθ ⎤ - 2VL ⎡ ⎛ 2π ⎞ sinθ ⎤
∴ I1 + sin - φ - =
⎢ ⎜ 3 ⎟ cosφ ⎥ 1 I e 3tanφ
+ sin ⎜ - φ ⎟ - (12.17)
Z ⎣ ⎝ ⎠ ⎦ Z ⎢⎣ ⎝ 3 ⎥
⎠ cosφ ⎦
2VL sinφ
∴ I1 = π
(12.18)
Z -
3tanφ
1- e
⎡ ωt - π/3 ⎤
2VL ⎢ sinφ - 3tanφ sinθ ⎥
∴ io = e + sin ( ωt - φ ) - (12.19)
Z ⎢ - 3tanφ
π
cosφ ⎥
⎣1- e ⎦
Exercise 12.2
Answers: (i) six; (ii) neutral; (iii) 2π/3; (iv) six; (v) odd, tripler, dc; (vi) continuous.
2. A 220 V, 1500 rpm 20 A separately excited dc motor has armature resistance of 1Ω and
negligible armature inductance. The motor is supplied from a three phase full wave
uncontrolled rectifier connected to a 220 V, 3 phase, 50 Hz supply through a Δ/Y
transformer. Find out the transformer turns ratio so that the converter applies rated
voltage to the motor. What is the maximum torque as a percentage of the rated torque the
motor will be able to supply without over heating. Assume ideal transformer and
continuous conduction.
3 2
V0 = VL = 220V
π
∴ VL = 163 Volts. This is the line voltage of the secondary side of the transformer.
The secondary is star connected. So
163
Secondary phase voltage = = 94 volts .
3
Primary side is delta connected. So
Primary phase voltage = 220 V.
220
∴ The required turns ratio = = 2.34 :1
94
V0 - E α v hn
∴ i0 = +∑
r n =1 r
2 V2 2
V0RMS
= I 0AV - 0AV +
r2 r2
17.743
∴ Maximum allowable torque = ×100 = 88.715 % of full load torque.
20
dvo
∴ ic = c = 2VL ωc cos ωt (12.21)
dt
v V
i o = o = 2 L sin ωt (12.22)
R R
VL
∴ ii = i o + i c = 2 [ ωRC cos ωt + sin ωt ]
R
V
= 2 L 1+ ω2 R 2 C2 cos (ωt - φ) (12.23)
R
1
Where tanφ =
ωRC
At ωt = β, ii = 0
π
∴ cos (β - φ) = 0 or β = +φ (12.24)
2
in the interval
β ≤ ωt ≤ α + π/3
dvo v o
c + =0
dt R
ωRC
v o β = 2VL sinβ = 2VL cosφ = 2VL (12.25)
1+ ω 2 R 2 C 2
(ωt - β) (ωt - β)
- ωRC -
∴ vo = vo β e ωRC
= 2VL e ωRC
(12.26)
1+ ω2 R 2 C 2
at ωt = α + π/3
π/6 - α + φ
ωRC
v o = 2VL e ωRC
(12.27)
1+ ω2 R 2 C 2
Also at ωt = α + π/3
⎛ π⎞
v o = 2VL sin ⎜ ωt - ⎟
⎝ 3 ⎠ ωt = α + π
3
= 2VL sin α
From which the value of α can be found. Equation 12.23 gives the expression of the
output current ii of the rectifier.
Exercise 12.3
i) A three phase full wave uncontrolled rectifier supplying a capacitive load can operate in
the _________ conduction mode.
ii) The output _________ ripple factor of a three phase full wave uncontrolled rectifier
supplying a capacitive load is very low.
iii) The output _________ ripple factor of a three phase full wave uncontrolled rectifier
supplying a capacitive load is very high.
iv) The input current displacement factor of a three phase full wave uncontrolled rectifier
supplying a capacitive load is ___________.
v) The input current distortion factor of a three phase full wave uncontrolled rectifier
supplying a capacitive load is very ________.
Answers: (i) discontinuous; (ii) voltage; (iii) current; (iv) unity; (v) high.
2. A three phase full wave rectifier operates from 220 volts, three phase 50 Hz supply and
supplies a capacitive resistive load of 20 Amps. An inductor of negligible resistance is
inserted between the rectifier and the capacitor. Assuming the capacitor to be large
enough so that the output voltage is almost ripple free. Calculate the value of the
inductor so that the rectifier output current is continuous.
Answers: The following figure shows the circuit arrangement and the corresponding waveforms.
π 2π
In the interval ≤ ωt ≤
3 3
di
v0 + L L = 2VL sinωt
dt
3 2
Since v0 is almost ripple free v0 = V0 = VL
π
3 2 di
∴ VL + ωL L = 2VL sinωt
π dωt
2VL 3 2
i L = I0 - cosωt - VL ωt
ωL πωL
Now i L av = 20A
References
[1] “Power Electronics”, P.C. Sen; Tata MC Grawhill publishing company limited; 1995.
[2] “Power Electronics, Converters, Applications and Design”; Mohan, Undeland, Robbins;
John Willey and Sons Ine, Third Edition, 2003.
Lesson Summary
• Three phase uncontrolled rectifiers are available in half wave and full wave
configuration.
• Three phase uncontrolled half wave rectifier require three phase four wire power supply.
• The input ac line current in a three phase uncontrolled half wave rectifier contain dc
component which may cause “dc saturation” of input transformer.
• Three phase full wave uncontrolled rectifier is most widely used in the medium power
applications particularly as the input stage of the dc link inverter.
• Three phase full wave uncontrolled rectifier uses six diodes instead of three of the half
wave rectifier.
• Full bridge rectifier does not require neutral connection.
• The output voltage of a three phase full bridge rectifier contains multiplies of 6th
harmonic of input cycle.
• The input ac current of a three phase full bridge rectifier contain only odd harmonics but
no dc component or triplen harmonics.
• The input displacement factor of the three phase bridge rectifier is always unity.
• Three phase full bridge converter supplying an R – L – E load usually operate in the
continuous conduction mode.
• Compared to single phase rectifiers, three phase bridge converter require smaller inductor
to obtain the same output current ripple factor.
Q2. A three phase full wave rectifier operates from a three phase 220 V 50 Hz supply through
a three phase Δ/Y transformer and supplies a 200 V 1500 R.P.M, 50 Amps separately
excited dc motor. Find out the turns ratio of the transformer so that the motor operates at
rated speed at full load. If the motor armature resistance is 0.5 Ω find out the inductance
to be connected in series with the motor such that the rectifier operates in the continuous
conduction mode at 50 % of the full load torque.
Q3. A three phase full wave rectifier supplies a resistive capacitive load of 50 Amps from a
220 V. 3 phase 50 Hz supply. Find out the value of the load capacitance such that the
load voltage ripple is less than 5 %.
2
2 V0AV
PL = I 0AV R LOAD =
R LOAD
3 2VL 3 2 × 220
Now V0AV = = = 148.55 volts
2π 2π
2 2
V0AV ⎛ 148.55 ⎞
∴ PL = =⎜ ⎟ ×1 KW = 551.7 watts
R LOAD ⎝ 200 ⎠
1 3
Now from Equ. (12.2) V0RMS = + VL = 151.01 volts
3 4π
2. To run at rated speed at full load the motor terminal voltage must be 200 volts.
3 2
∴ V0AL = VL = 200 volts, ∴ VL = 148.1 volts
π
Where VL is the secondary line voltage. Secondary is star connected. So secondary
phase voltage
VL
V2 = = 85.5 volts
3
At 50% of full load torque the motor operates in the continuous conduction mode,
with reference to Fig. 12.2 and equation 12.19.
⎡ ωt-π/3 ⎤
2VL ⎢ sinφ - tanφ sinθ ⎥
i0 = e + sin(ωt - φ) -
z ⎢ -
π
cosφ ⎥
⎣1- e 3tanφ
⎦
E 187.5
Where sinθ = = = 0.9375
2VL 200
θ = 69.64º = 1.2154 rad.
i 0 Min = i 0 ωt = θ = 0
( θ-π/3)
sinφ - sinθ
∴ π
e tanφ
+ sin(θ - φ) - =0
-
3tanφ
cosφ
1- e
( π/3 - θ )
1 sin2φe tanφ 1 1
OR π
+ sinθ - sin(θ - 2φ) = sinθ
2 - 2 2
1- e 3tanφ
V0Max + V0Min
V0AV =
2
V̂0pp = V0Max - V0Min
2 ( V0Max + V0Min ) V̂0pp
∴ = = 0.05
V0Max + V0Min V0AV
1- V0Min /V0Max
∴ = 0.025
1+ V0Min /V0Max
∴ V0Min /V0Max = 0.9512 .
1
where tanφ =
ωRC
from which φ = 3.5º ∴ tanφ = 0.06116
1
∴ ωRC = = 16.35 , R = 6.0694 Ω
tanφ
∴ ωC = 2.6938, ∴ C = 8575 μF.