THREE-PHASE RECTIFIERS

Principles of Operation, Analysis and Performance Evaluation.

1 Introduction

Like single-phase rectifiers, three-phase rectifiers can be:

(a) Half-wave rectifiers

(b) Full-wave bridge rectifiers

Fig.1 shows the power circuit configuration of a half-wave rectifier circuit. The
supply is a 3-phase balanced voltage source, where:

𝑣1 = 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡,
2𝜋
𝑣2 = 𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 − ),
3
4𝜋
𝑣2 = 𝑉𝑚 sin (𝜔𝑡 − ) (1)
3

where vm is the peak value of the phase voltage, SCRs (1, 2, 3) forms the
positive half-wave rectifier switches. The rectifier of this form is referred to as
the positive rectifying group (PRG).

The load is assumed pure resistive. This will allow better understanding of the
principle of operation.

If a negative rectifying group (NRG), i.e., SCRs (1’, 2’ and 3’) is added as
shown in Fig.2, the rectifier becomes Three-Phase Full-Wave Rectifier.

The conventional schematic diagram of a Three-Phase Full-Wave Rectifier is

shown in Fig.3. It should be noted that both figures (2) and (3) are identical.

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Also, the numbering system of the SCRs shown is not the conventional standard
numbering system. The Shown numbering system is employed to better
understanding of the system operation.

In a section to come, re-numbering of the SCR (from 1 to 6) will be provided.

The conventional numbering system is based on the sequence of triggering of
the SCRs of the rectifier.

2 Why Three-Phase Rectifiers

✓ Three-phase rectifiers are mostly used in DC power applications in the

range of 2 kW and above.
✓ Three-phase rectifiers are required in order to reduce the harmonic
contents of the rectified load voltage and current waveforms, compared to
single-phase rectifier circuits.

In general, M-phase rectifier circuits can be used. However, since the available
power supply is three-phase, M-phase rectifiers are rarely used in recent days. It
was developed and used in the late 1980s and 1990s of the last century,
especially for battery charging by the communication systems. The design and
maintenance complexity of such systems results in the come back to three-phase
rectifier systems.

3 Why Full-Wave Rectifiers

(a) With full-wave rectifiers, the input (supply) current waveform has zero
average value. This is very demanding and required by the Electric
Utilities, since no system transformer saturation is possible if the DC input
current is zero. This is not the case with half-wave rectifiers circuits.

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 (b) More average load voltage and current (and hence more power) from the
same supply is obtained by full-wave rectifiers, since the output average
voltage is doubled when compared to half-wave rectifiers, assuming same
SCRs current ratings.

(c) The harmonic contents of both the load and supply waveforms are much
lower compared to half-wave rectifiers. Less Ripple Factor in the voltage
side, and less Total Harmonic Distortion Factor in the supply side are
achieved.

4 Three-Phase Voltage Waveforms of Interest

Fig. 4 shows the phasor diagram of the balanced three-phase supply, where v1,
v2, and v3 are the phase voltages, and v12, v23, v31, v21, v32 and v13 are the
corresponding line voltages. Assuming y-connected supply, the line voltages are
given as:

𝜋
𝑣12 = ⎷3 𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 + ),
6
𝜋
𝑣23 = ⎷3 𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 − ),
2
5𝜋
𝑣31 = ⎷3 𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 + ),
6
5𝜋
𝑣21 = ⎷3 𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 − ),
6
𝜋
𝑣32 = ⎷3 𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 + ),
2
𝜋
𝑣13 = ⎷3 𝑉𝑚 sin (𝜔𝑡 − ) (2)
6

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The six line voltages are involved in the load voltage waveform construction of
the rectifier. Fig. 5 shows the waveforms of the nine different voltages of the
system.

4-1 Facts Concerning the Operation of the System

Fact No. (1)

The reference of measuring the firing angle α. The reference of measuring αis
no longer the zero-crossing point of the supply voltage as in single-phase
rectifier circuits. Due to the intersection between phase and line voltages, ωt =
𝞹/3 or 30°, is the reference of measuring α. At ωt = 𝞹/3 or 30°, v1 becomes the
phase voltage of the highest polarity compared to the other phase voltages. Also,
v12 becomes the line voltage of the highest polarity compared to all of the line
voltages. This can be realized by means of Fig.5. What does this mean ?

This means that if α = 0°, then SCR 1 should be triggered at ωt = 𝞹/3 or 30°.

Similarly, if α = 30°, then SCR 1 should be triggered at ωt = 60°, and so on.

In general, for any value of α, SCR 1 should be triggered at ωt = 30° + α.

Fact No. (2)

For a current to flow in the load circuit, two SCRs, one from the PRG and
another from the NRG should simultaneously conduct. Only one SCR from a
certain group is conduction at a time (unless in the very short commutation
period). However, the two SCRs should never belong to the same phase. This
implies, for instance, that SCR 1 may share conduction with SCR 2’ or 3’.

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4-2 Sequence of Triggering and Conventional Numbering of SCRs

Since there is a phase shift between 120° between each phase and the other,
there should be a 120° phase delay of triggering signal of the SCR 2 of phase 2,
compared to that of SCR 1 of phase 1. This implies that if SCR 1 is triggered at
ωt = 30° + α, SCR 2 should be triggered at ωt = (30° + α) + 120°, and similarly
SCR 3 should be triggered at ωt = (30° + α) + 240°.

Concerning the NRG, since SCR 1’ is responsible for the negative half-cycle of
phase 1, the triggering signal of SCR 1’ should be delayed by 180°when
compared to that of SCR 1.

This implies that:

• SCR 1’ should be triggered at ωt = (30° + α) + 180°, and,

• SCR 2’ should be triggered at ωt = (30° + α) + 300°, and
• SCR 3’ should be triggered at ωt = (30° + α) + 420°.

The Table below show the time sequence of triggering SCRs 1, 2, 3, 1’, 2’, and 3’.

Table (1): Derivation of Standard SCR Numbers.

Original SCR NO. Triggered at ωt = Standard SCR NO.

1 α + 30° 1

2 α + 150° 3

3 α + 270° 5

1’ αα + 210° 4

2’ α + 330° 6

3’ α + 450° (= α + 90°) 2

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Fig. 6 shows the schematic diagram of the three-phase rectifier circuit with
standard numbering system.

4-3 Waveforms Construction

By now, we are ready to start construction of the voltage and current waveforms
of three-phase rectifier circuits for different triggering angles.

To start with, a firing angle of 0° (i.e., α = 0°) is assumed. This is corresponding

to uncontrolled rectifier circuits.

Table (2): Wavefrms Construction.

SCR NO. starts conduction at ωt = ends conduction at ωt =

1 α + 30° = 30° 150°

2 α + 90° = 90° 210°

3 α + 150° = 150° 270°

4 α + 210° = 210° 330°

5 α + 270° = 270° 390° *

6 α + 330° = 330° 450° **

*
390° implies that SCR 5 also conducts over the period between 0°and 30°.

**
450° implies that SCR 6 also conducts over the period between 0°and 90°.

Now, the above table can be translated in to two blocks (shown under the
waveforms of Fig.7). One block for the PRG, and the second block for the
NRG. From these two blocks, one can realize the SCRs to conduct at any period
of time. For instance, over the period from 0°and 30°, SCR 5, belongs to v3 and
SCR 6, belongs to v2. The output voltage will then be v3 – v2 = v32. This can be

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repeated for the complete period of 360° in order to construct the waveform of
the load voltage.

Concerning the load current waveforms, and since the load is assumed pure DC,
the load current will have the same shape as that of the load voltage. However,
the scale of the load current is decided by the load resistance.

For the supply currents, each phase has its own current waveform. These
waveforms have identical shapes, but shifted by 120°. Let us investigate how to
construct the supply current of phase (1), i.e., is1. When SCR 1 conducts over
the period (30° + α) ≤ ωt ≤ (150° + α), or (30°) ≤ ωt ≤ (150°), the supply current
is the same as that of the load current (i.e., is1 = io). Similarly, when SCR 4
conducts over the period (210°) ≤ ωt ≤ (330°), the supply current is the same as
that of the load current, but with a negative sign (i.e., is1 = - io). Fig. 7 shows the
supply current of phase (1).

Figures (8) to (9) show the waveforms of interest for triggering angles 0f 30°
and 60° respectively.

In all three cases shown, the load current is seen to be continuous. Only for α =
60°, the load current has a zero-crossing point. However, no zero-current gap is
realized. This implies that the load current is continuous over the range of (0°) ≤
α < (60°). For α 60°, the system is said to run in the critical mode of operation.
When α ˃ 60°, the system is expected to operate in the discontinuous current
mode of operation (i.e., the load current is discontinuous with zero current
gaps). Details will follow in the example below.

5 Discontinuous Load Current

To investigate this mode of operation, a firing angle of 90° (i.e., α ˃ 60°) will be
investigated. Fig.10 shows the construction of the load voltage waveform for α
= 90°.

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 Table (3): Wavefrm Construction for α = 90°

SCR NO. starts conduction at ωt = expected end of conduction at ωt =

1 α + 30° = 120° 240°

2 α + 90° = 90° 210°

3 α + 150° = 150° 270°

4 α + 210° = 210° 330°

5 α + 270° = 270° 390° *

6 α + 330° = 330° 450° **

The same procedure will be followed for the construction of the load voltage
waveform. However, there is a certain restriction to be considered carefully.
Since the load current will never be negative in rectifier circuits, the load
voltage will never be negative. Table (3) shows the conduction pattern of the
rectifier switches for the firing angle of 90°.

Let us investigate the conduction pattern of SCR 1, which can be considered as

an example of the conduction patterns of all other switches. At ωt = 120° SCR 1
starts conduction and vo = v12. But at ωt ≥ 150°, v12 tends to be negative. This is
impossible since the load is pure resistive, and the load current will never be
negative in rectifier circuits. At ωt = 150° SCR 6 stops conduction, and the load
voltage starts to be fixed at zero until the coming SCR of the NRG (i.e., SCR 2)
is triggered ωt = 180°. Then SCR 1 will come back to conduction (with SCR 2)
over the period 180° ≤ ωt ≤ 210°. Then it will come back to non-conduction
over the period 210° ≤ ωt ≤ 240°.

This implies that SCR 1 conducts twice over two distinct periods, implying that
the load current is discontinuous. One period sharing conduction with SCR 6,

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and the second sharing conduction with SCR 2. For this to occur successfully,
SCR 1 (and hence all other SCRs) should be triggered twice; at ωt = 120° and
60° later (i.e., at ωt = 180°)

This mode of operation is valid until the maximum value of the triggering angle,
which should be identified later.

If the triggering circuit is nor well designed to match the discontinuous current
mode of operation, the rectifier behaves like a half-controlled rectifier when αis
greater than 60°. That is something to be avoided.

6 Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV)

This is a design parameter of rectifier circuits, since the voltage rating of the

rectifier switches should be drawn to define its peak value. Let us draw the
voltage across SCR1 which is defined as vAK1. Construction of this waveform is
directly related to the equation below:

When SCR 1 is conducting ON, negligible voltage appears across its terminal.

When SCR 1 is OFF, the voltage across its terminals depends upon which of the
SCRs of its group is conducting (i.e., PRG). If SCR 3 is conducting, then the
voltage across SCR 1 terminals will be vAK1 = v1 – v2 = v12. In the contrary, if
SCR 5 is conducting, this voltage will be vAK1 = v1 – v3 = v13.

vAK1 is shown in Figs. 11 and 12, corresponding to α = 0°and 30° respectively. It

may be then realized that the peak inverse voltage PIV is the peak of the line
voltage (i.e., PIV = ⎷3 Vm).

The voltage ratings of the SCRs of a three-phase rectifier is then given by:

𝑆𝐶𝑅 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 = (2 − 3) 𝑃𝐼𝑉

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7 System Performance Parameters and SCR Voltage Rating

✓ The performance parameters of the rectifier circuit are:

✓ The ripple factor of the load voltage and current waveforms.
✓ The input power factor.
✓ The total harmonic distortion factor of the supply current.

To calculate these parameters, RMS values of the load voltage, load current, and
supply current should be evaluated. Also, the fundamental component of the
supply current should also be evaluated.

One important relationship that we should realize, is that the RMS value of the
input current is directly related to the RMS value of the load current by the
formula:

𝐼𝑆 (𝑟𝑚𝑠) = √2⁄3 𝐼0 (𝑟𝑚𝑠)

This fact can be realized when considering the line current, which has a 120°
duration positive, and 120° duration negative, covering 240° of the 360°
covered by the load current (the 2/3 ratio is taken from the ratio 240/360).

In the following section, the Average and RMS expressions of the load voltage
for both modes of operations are derived.

Input Power Factor

The input power factor is given by:

𝐼𝑂 (𝑅𝑀𝑆)2 𝑅
𝑃𝐹𝑖𝑛 =
3 𝐼𝑆 (𝑅𝑀𝑆) 𝑉𝑆 (𝑅𝑀𝑆)

𝑉𝑂 (𝑅𝑀𝑆)
𝑃𝐹𝑖𝑛 =
√6 𝑉(𝑆) (𝑅𝑀𝑆)

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 Fig.1: Half-wave Rectifier (PRG).

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 Fig.2: Full-wave Rectifier: (PRG+NRG).

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 Fig.3: 3-PH Rectifier Circuit: Bridge Circuit.

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 Fig.4: Vector Diagram Of 3-PH System.

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 Fig.5: Waveforms of 3-PH Balanced Supply.

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 Fig.6: 3-PH Rectifier: Standard Numbering.

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 Fig.7: Voltage & Current Waveforms.
α = 0° .

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 Fig.8: Voltage & Current Waveforms.
α = 30°.

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 Fig.9: Voltage & Current Waveforms.
α = 60° .

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 Fig.10: Voltage & Current Waveforms.
α = 90° (DCM).

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 Fig.11: VAKI Venations (PIV).
α = 0°.

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 Fig.12: VAKI Venations (PIV).
α = 30°.

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