04 AC Voltage Controller
04 AC Voltage Controller
AC Voltage Controllers
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Principle of on-off Control
4.3 Principle of Phase Control
4.4 Single-phase Voltage Conrollers
4.4.1 With Resistive Load
4.4.2 With RL Load
4.4.3 With L (Pure Inductive Load)
4.5 Three Phase Full Wave AC Controller
4.6 AC Voltage Controller with PWM Control
4.1 INTRODUCTION
AC voltage controllers (or ac regulators) are ac to ac converters which converts fixed
alternating voltage to variable alternating voltage at constant frequency. In these, relatively
cheap converter grade SCRs and Triacs are used as switching devices. As these devices are
line commutated, there is no need for separate commutation circuits. The main disadvantage
of ac voltage controllers is the introduction of objectionable harmonics in the supply current
and load voltage waveforms.However, because of their simlicity, ac voltage controllers are
preferred for domestic and industrial heating and lighting loads, which are not affected by
harmonics.
Gate pulses ig1, ig2 turn-on the thyristors T1, T2 respectively at zero voltage crossing of
the supply voltage. The source is connected to load for n = 2 cycles. When gate pulses are
withdrawn, load remains disconnected from source for m = 1 cycle as shown in Fig. 4.2(c). In
this way, process of turn-on and turn-off is repeated for the control of load power i.e. by
varying the number of n and m cycles, ac ouptput voltage can be varied and controlled as per
the required application. ON-OFF control or interal cycle control is also known as burst firing,
zero-voltage switching, cycle selection.
Advantage of ON-OFF control
(i) It does not cause fluctuations in performance of the system.
Disadvantage of ON-OFF control
(i) It introduces sub-harmonics in the line current, which causes pulsation of so alternator
shaft at that frequency is not suitable for large power application.
Applications of ON-OFF control
(i) Such control is used in heating applications, like furnance etc.
Mathematical Analysis
If load is connected to source for n number of cycle and disconnected for m number of
cycles then,
rms value of output voltage, Vor
1
2π
n 2
Vor =
2π(n + m) 0
∫(Vm sin ωt ) 2 d ωt
1
n m 2 2π
v m (1 − cos 2 ωt ) d ωt
2
=
4π(n + m) 0
∫
Vm n n
or Vor = = Vs
2 n+m n+m
Vor = Vs K …(4.1)
where Vs = rms value of source voltage
n
K= = duty cycle of ac voltage controller
n+m
V2 R
= or ⋅
V ⋅V
R s or
Vor
or PF = = K …(4.6)
Vs
K ⋅ Im
or (I T )avg = …(4.7)
π
rms value of thyristor current, (IT)or
1
π
n 2
(IT )or =
2π(n + m) 0
∫
(I m sin ωt ) 2 ⋅ dωt
Im k
or ( I T ) or = …(4.8)
2
From equation (4.1), it is clear that voltage can be controlled in steps only. therefore, a
smooth and fine voltage variation is not possible. For increasing resolution of steps, total
number of control-cycles (n + m) are to be increased, which caused large fluctuation in the
output voltage. This is the main hurdle in the adoption of On-Off technique. If On and Off
periods (n and m) are reduced to overcome this demerit, it limits the controllability.
AC Voltage Controllers 159
FIG. 4.4: Various Circuit Configurations for 1–φ Full Wave AC voltage Controllers
π α
∫
Vor = ( Vm sin ωt ) 2 . d ωt
1
Vm 1 2
Vor = {( π − α ) + 1
sin 2 α }
2 π
or 2 …(4.9)
162 Advanced Power Electronics
Vor2
Power delivered to load = I or
2
R= …(4.11)
R
The Power Factor (PF):
1
1 2
PF = or = [( π − α ) + 12 sin 2α ]
V …(4.12)
Vs π
4.4.2 Single-phase full wave ac voltage controller with RL load
Power circuit diagram and various waveforms of single-phase ac voltage controller with
RL load are shown in Fig. 4.6.
Working operation with RL load is same as that with R load, except the difference that
here due to inductive nature of load, load voltage and current are not in phase. Due to inductive
load, load current i0 rises and decays gradually so it does not reduce to zero at ωt = π, rather
reduces to zero at ωt = β, where β > π as shown in waveforms of fig. 4.6(b). Here also,
thyristors are turned off by natural or line commutation.
ωL ,
If α ≤ φ where φ is power factor angle or impedance angle of RL load, φ = tan −1
R
then the control becomes ineffective and so output voltage remans same as that of the input
sinusoidal voltage (v0 = vs). But if α ≥ φ, then commutation of thyristor take place at the
extinction angle β, where load or thyristor current becomes zero as shown in fig. 4.6(b).
The expression for instantaneous load current i0 can be obtained as:
During period α < ωt < β, when thyristor T1 is on, the voltage equation for the circuit of
Fig. 4.6(a) is:
di 0
vs = Vm sin ωt = Ri0 + L
dt
Its solution is of the form
Vm
i0 = sin (ωt − φ) + Ae −( R L ) t …(4.13)
Z
Where Z = R 2 + ( ωL ) 2
ωL
φ = tan −1 …(4.14)
R
Constant A can be obtained using initial boundary conditions, i.e. at ωt = α, i0 = 0.
Therefore,
Rα
V −
0 = m sin(α − φ) + Ae Lω
Z
Rα
− Vm
or A= sin(α − φ)e Lω
Z
Substitution of this value of A is equation (4.13) gives i0 as
Vm R α
i0 = sin(ωt − φ) − sin(α − φ) exp − t …(4.15)
Z L ω
The value of β can be found by solving the above equation for i0 (β) = 0, which gives
R α − β
sin (β − φ) = sin (α − φ). exp …(4.16)
L ω
164 Advanced Power Electronics
and the conduction angle γ durng which current flows from angle α to angle β is given by
γ=β−α …(4.17)
4.4.3 Single phase full-wave ac voltage controller with purely inductive load
Power circuit diagram and various waveforms of a transistor controlled reactor (TCR) or
ac voltage controller with purely inductive load are shown in Fig. 4.7. For a purely inductive
load, φ = 90º. Therefore the output voltage control is effective from π/2 ≤ α ≤ π only, for which
v0 varies from Vor to 0.
The expression for load current is given by:
Vm π π α − ωt
i 0 (ωt ) = sin ωt − − sin α − exp
ωL 2 2 tan(π 2)
Vm
= (cos α − cos ωt ) …(4.18)
ωL
motor drives, rather a three-phase bidirectional controller is commonly used. The circuit diagram
of a three-phase full-wave (or bidirectional) controller is shown in Fig. 4.8 with a Y-connected
resistive load. The firing sequence of thyristors is T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6. If we define the
instantaneous input phase voltage as
v AN = 2 Vs sin ωt
2π
v BN = 2Vs sin ωt −
3
4π
v CN = 2Vs sin ωt −
3
the instantaneous input line voltages are
π
v AB = 6Vs sin ωt −
6
π
v BC = 6Vs sin ωt −
2
7π
v CA = 6Vs sin ωt −
6
The waveforms for the input voltages, conduction angles of thyristors, and output phase
voltages are shown in Figure 4.8 for α = 60º and α = 120º. For 0 ≤ α < 60º, immediately before
the firing of T1, two thyristors conduct. Once T1 is fired, three thyristors conduct. A thyristor
turns-off when its current attempts to reverse.
For 60º ≤ α < 90º, only two thyristors conduct at any time. For 90º ≤ α < 150º, although
two thyristors conduct at any time, there are periods when no thyristors are on. For α ≥ 150º,
there is no period for two conducting thyristors and the output voltage becomes zero at
α=150º.The range of delay angle is:
0 ≤ α ≤ 150º …(4.20)
Similar to half-wave controllers, the expression for the rms output phase voltage depends
on the range of delay angles. The rms output voltage for a Y-connected load can be found as
follows. For 0 ≤ α < 60º.
12
1 2π
Vo = ∫ d ( ωt )
2
v an
2π 0
1 2 π 3 sin 2 ωt 2 π+ α sin 2 ωt
= 6 Vs
2π ∫ α 3
d ( ωt ) + ∫π4 3
d ( ωt )
sin 2 ωt
2π 3 π 2+α sin 2 ωt
+ ∫
π 3+ α 3
d ( ωt ) + ∫
π2 3
d ( ωt )
12
…(4.21)
π sin 2 ωt
+ ∫
2 π 3+ α 3
d ( ωt )
12
1 π α sin 2α
= 6Vs − +
8
...(4.22)
π 6 4
For 60º ≤ α < 90º:
12
1 π 3 sin 2α 3 cos 2α
V0 = 6 Vs + + ...(4.23)
π 12 16 16
For 90º ≤ α ≤ 150º:
12
1 5π α sin 2α 3 cos 2α
V0 = 6 Vs − + + ...(4.24)
π 24 4 8 16
The power devices of a three-phase bidirectional controller can be connected together, as
shown in Fig. 4.8. This arrangement is also known as tie control and allows assembly of all
thyristors as one unit. However, this arrangement is not possible for motor control because the
terminals of the motor windings are not normally accessible.
The gating sequence is as follows:
1. Generate a pulse signal at the positive zero crossing of the supply phase voltage van..
2. Delay the pulse by angles α, α + 2π/3, and α + 4π/3 for gating T1, T3, and T5
through gate-isolating circuits.
AC Voltage Controllers 167
3. Similarly, generate pulses with delay angles π + α, 5π/3 + α, and 7π/3 + α for gating
T2, T4 and T6.
SOLVED PROBLEMS
Example 4.1: A single-phase full wave ac voltage controller has a resistive load of 5W.
The input ac voltage is 230 V at 50Hz. For a delay angle of 120º determine the rms load
current, rms thyristor current, and input power factor.
Solution: rms load voltage is given by
12
1 sin 2α
Vor = Vs (π − α) +
π 2
168 Advanced Power Electronics
12
1 π 0.866
= 230 −
π 3 2
= 101.69V
rms load current is given by
Ior = Vor/R
= 101.69/5
= 20.34 A
rms thyristor current = I or 2 = 20.34 2 = 14.38A
Input power factor is given by
12
1 1
pf = (π − α ) + sin 2α
π
2
12
1 π 0.866
= −
π 3 2
= 0.442
Example 4.2: An ac voltage regulator operating from 230V, 50Hz supply uses integral
cycle control to control the flow of power to 10Ω load. The thyristors conduct for 18 cycles and
remain off for 32 cycles. Find
(a) rms value of output voltage, Vor
(b) power output to the load
(c) power input to the regulator
(d) input power factor
(e) average and rms values of SCR current (neglect losses).
Solution:
Duty ratio,
18
k= = 0.36
18 + 32
(a) rms value of the output voltage,
Vor = 230 0.36 = 138V
(b) Power output to the load,
Vor2 1382
= = 1904.4W
RL 10
(c) Power input to the regulator
= 1904.4 W as losses are neglected.
(d) Input power factor,
Real power 1904.4
=
Apparent power 230 I or
AC Voltage Controllers 169
Vor 138
But I or = = = 13.8A
RL 10
Substituting for Ior the input power factor = 0.6
230 2
(c) Im = = 32.522A
10
I m k 32.522 × 0.6
rms value of thyristor current = = = 9.756A
2 2
kI m
Average value of thyristor current = = 3.727A
π
12
1 π 1 2π
= 230 π − + sin
π 2 2 2
230
= = 162.66V
2
rms load current,
Vor 162.66
I or = = = 16.26A
R 10
Power input to load = 16.262 × 10 = 2644 W
V I V 162.66
Load power factor, pf = V I = V = 230 = 0.7
or or or
s or s
219.3
I or = = 7.31A, [Refer 4.3.10 for derivation]
30
Example 4.5: A single-phase ac voltage controller is connected to an inductive load with
a resistance of 10Ω and load impedance angle of 45º. The input ac voltage is 230V at 50Hz.
Determine the maximum load voltage, maximum load current, and range of delay angle for
which the load voltage does not change.
Solution: Load impedance angle or lod phase angle, φ = 45º
Maximum rms load voltage, can only be the supply voltage, Hence it is 230 V.
XL
tan φ = =1
R
∴ R = XL = 10W
Z = 10 2 Ω
230
Maximum rms load current, I max = = 23 × 0.707 = 16.261A (rms )
10 2
Range of delay angel = 0 to 45º.
Example 4.6: A resistance heating load is controlled from a single-phase supply using a
TRIAC in the phase angle control mode. Determine the firing angle delay when the load power
is 50% of its maximum value.
1 sin 2α 50 1
(π − α ) + = =
π 2 100 2
α sin 2α 1
1− + =
π 2π 2
By inspection, α = π/2
Example 4.7: A single-phase voltage controller controls the power input to a load circuit
consisting of R = 3Ω and ωL = 4Ω. If the supply voltage is 230V at 50Hz, calculate
(i) control range of firing angle,
(ii) maximum value of rms load current,
(iii) maximum power input to the load,
(iv) maximum power factor, and
(v) maximum value of average and rms thyristor current.
Solution:
(i) Control range of firing angle: φ to π
I th rms
Average value of SCR current, I th rms = = 20.707 A
1.57
Example 4.8: A single-phase voltage controller is employed for controlling the power
flow from 230V, 50Hz source into a load circuit consisting of R = 3Ω and ωL = 4Ω. Calculate.
(a) the control range of firing angle,
(b) the maximum value of rms load current,
(c) the maximum power and power factor,
(d) the maximum values of average and rms thyristor currents,
(e) the maximum possible value of di/dt that may occur in the thyristor and
(f) the conduction angle for α = 0º and α = 120º assuming a gate pulse of duration π
radian.
Solution: (a) For controlling the load, the minimum value of firing angle α = load phase
−1 ωL 4
angle, φ = tan = tan −1 = 53.13º. The maximum possible value of α is 180º.
R 3
(b) The maximum value of rms load current I0 occurs when a = φ = 53.13º. But at this
value of firing angle, the power circuit of ac voltage controller behaves as if load is directly
connected to ac source. Therefore, maximum value of rms load current is
230 230
I0 = = = 46A
R + (ωL)
2 2
32 + 4 2
I 02 R 46 × 3
Power factor = = = 0.6 .
Vs I 0 230
(d) Average thyristor current is maximum when a = φ and conduction angle γ = π.
172 Advanced Power Electronics
1 α+π Vm
I TAVM =
2π ∫
α Z
sin (ωt − φ) d(ωt)
Vm 2 × 230
= = = 32.527A
2 Z π × 33 + 4 2
di 0
(e) Maximum value of occurs when α = φ.
di
di 0 ω.Vm
= cos(ωt − φ) − 0.
di Z
Its value is maximum when cos (ωt – φ) = 1
di 0 2 .230 · 2π × 50
∴ = = 2.0437 × 10 4 A sec .
dt max 5
(f) For α = 0º, the conduction angle γ is 180º. For α = 120º and
φ = 53.13º, gives a conduction angle of about 95º.
UNSOLVED PROBLEMS
4.1 List two methods of voltage control employed in ac voltage controllers.
4.2 Write the expression for the output voltage of ac voltage controller employing integral
cycle control.
4.3 Draw the circuit of a bidirectional switch using common cathode.
4.4 Sketch the circuit of single-phase ac chopper that uses common cathode connected SCRs.
4.5 What is the control range of firing angle of single-phase bidirectional controller supplying
an RL load?
4.6 What is the load angle in connection with an RL load?
4.7 What are all the advantages and the disadvantages of ac voltage controllers?
4.8 List the applications of ac voltage controllers.
4.9 For the single-phase ac voltage controller, discuss how single pulse gating is ‘not suitable
and show that high-frequency carrier gating overcomes the problems due to single
frequency gating.
4.10 Explain the reason for using inverse parallel connected SCRs in preference to TRIAC in
the ac voltage controllers feeding highly inductive loads.
4.11 Explain the operation of solid state tap changer using anti-parallel SCRs. How can this be
used as ac voltage stabilizer.
4.12 Write short notes on ac voltage regulators using thyristors.
4.13 Explain the working of a three-phase ac chopper.
4.14 Sketch the circuit of a single-phase ac chopper that has common cathode connected SCRs.
4.15 Discuss the operation of a single-phase ac voltage controller with inductive load. Draw
the relevant voltage waveforms.
4.16 Draw the power circuitry for a single-phase ac voltage controller using thyristor and explain
its operation for resistive load. Also derive an expression for rms load voltage.
AC Voltage Controllers 173
4.17 Prove that the form-factor of SCR current of an ac chopper feeding resistance load is
12
π
(π − α ) + sin 2α where α is the firing angle.
(1 + cos α) 2
4.18 Investigate the operation of a single-phase voltage controller supplying RL load when the
firing angle α is
(i) less than the load angle φ
(ii) equal to load angle φ
(iii) greater than the load angle φ
4.19 A single-phase ac regulator with two SCRs connected back to back has a resistive load of
10Ω and source voltage of 230 V, 50 Hz; a can be varied from 0º to 180º. Calculate
(a) greatest rms value and average value of SCR current, (b) minimum circuit turn-off
time, and (c) maximum value of di/dt occurring in the SCR.
[Ans. (a) 16.26 A, 10.35 A, (b) 10 m sec. (c) cc]
4.20 A single-phase ac voltage controller is connected to a resistive load of 10Ω where the
supply voltage is 230V at 50 Hz. Determine (a) rms load voltage, (b) rms load current, (c)
rms thyristor current, (d) average thyristor current, (e) form factor of thyristor current
wave, (f) input power factor for a trigger angle of 60°.
[Ans. (a) 206.31V, (b) 20.63A, (c) 14.59 A, (d) 7.76, (e) 1.88, (1) 0.894 log]
4.21 A single-phase ac voltage controller is connected to a resistance load of 5Ω. The supply
voltage is 230V. Estimate the load voltage, rms load current, and rms thyristor current for-
a delay angle of 1200. Also draw the load voltage waveforms and derive an expression for
the rms load voltage.
[Ans. 101.69V, 20.34A, 14.38A]
4.22 A single-phase ac voltage controller is connected to an inductive load with an impedance
angle of 40°. The supply voltage is 230 V, 50 Hz. Estimate the rms load voltage for trigger
angles of 30° and 90°. Assume the conduction angle to be 120° for the trigger angle of
90°.
[Ans. 230 V, 206.15V]
4.23 A resistance-heating load is controlled from a single-phase supply using a TRIAC in the
phase angle control mode. Determine the firing delay when the power is at 70% of its
maximum.
[Ans. α = 700]
4.24 A single-phase 230 V, 1 kW heater is connected across 230 V, 50 Hz single-phase supply
through an SCR. The firing angle is 30°. Calculate the power absorbed by the load.
[Ans. 971.12 W]
4.25 A single-phase full wave ac voltage controller has a resistive load of (a) 10 2 and (b) 5Ω
The input ac voltage is 230V, 50Hz. For a delay angle of 90°, determine the rms load
voltage, rms load current, rms thyristor current and input power factor.
[Ans. (a) 162.5V, 16.25A, 11.49A, 0.706, (b) 162.5V, 32.5A, 22.98A, 0.705 log]
4.26 A single-phase ac load consists of a resistance of 20Ω in series with an inductance of 50
mH. It is fed from a 230 V, 50 Hz ac supply through a static ac switch consisting of two
174 Advanced Power Electronics
anti- parallel SCRs. Determine the firing angle range in which it is possible to vary the
voltage across the load. For a firing angle of 90°, determine the conduction angle. Plot the
load voltage and load current waveforms.
[Ans. 38.14° to 180°]
4.27 A single-phase full wave ac voltage controller feeds a resistive load of 30Ω The input
voltage is 230 V at 50 Hz. For a delay angle of 90°, estimate the rms load voltage and rms
load current. Also draw the load voltage waveforms and derive an expression for the mis
load voltage.
[Ans. 162.5 V, 5.416 A]
4.28 A single-phase full wave ac voltage controller has a resistive load of 5. The input ac
voltage is 230 V at 50 Hz. For a delay angle of 120°, determine the rms tad voltage, rms
load current, rms thyristor current and input power factor.
[Ans. 101.69 V, 20.34 A, 14.38 A, 0.442 log]
4.29 A single-phase ac chopper has a resistive load of 5 2. The input ac voltage is 230 V at 50
Hz. For a delay angle of 30°, determine the rms load voltage, rms load current, and rms
device current.
[Ans. 226.65 V, 45.33 A, 32.05]
4.30 A single-phase ac voltage controller is connected to a resistive load of 10Ω. The supply
voltage is 230 V, 50 Hz. Determine the mis load voltage, rms load current and input power
factor for a trigger angle of 60°.
[Ans. 206.31, 20.631, 0.897 log]
4.31 A single-phase ac voltage controller is connected to an inductive load. The supply voltage
is 230 V at 50 Hz. Determine the rms load voltage for a trigger angle of 60°. The load
impedance angle and conduction angle are 45° and 140° respectively.
[Ans. 198.02 V]
4.32 A single-phase ac chopper is connected to a resistive load of 20Ω. The supply voltage is
230V at 50 Hz. For a delay angle of 45°, estimate the rms load voltage and rms load
current. Also draw load voltage and load current waveforms.
[Ans. 219.3 V, 10.96 A]