‫كلية الهندسة‬ ‫ أكتوبر‬6 ‫جامعة‬

Power Electronics
Single Phase Uncontrolled Full
Wave Rectifiers

Dr. Hossam Khalil

1
 Table of contents

• The Bridge Rectifier with Resistive Load

1

• The Bridge Rectifier with Highly Inductive Load

2

• The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

3

2
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
 The Bridge Rectifier with Resistive Load
For the bridge rectifier of fig a (fig. b),
these are some basic observations:

• Diodes D1 and D2 conduct together, and D3 and D4

conduct together. D1 and D3 cannot be ON at the
same time. Similarly, D2 and D4 cannot conduct
simultaneously. The load current can be positive or
zero but can never be negative.
• The voltage across the load is +vs when D1 and D2 are
ON. The voltage across the load is -vs when D3 and D4
are ON.
• The maximum voltage across a reverse-biased diode
is the peak value of the source. This can be shown by
Kirchhoff’s voltage law around the loop containing
the source, D1, and D3. With D1 ON, the voltage
across D3 is -vs.
• The current entering the bridge from the source is
iD1-iD4, which is symmetric about zero. Therefore, the
average source current is zero.
• The rms source current is the same as the rms load
current. The source current is the same as the load
current for one-half of the source period and is the
negative of the load current for the other half. The
squares of the load and source currents are the same,
so the rms currents are equal.
• The fundamental frequency of the output voltage is 2
𝜔, where 𝜔 is the frequency of the ac input since two
periods of the output occur for every period of the
input.
3
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
 The Bridge Rectifier with Resistive Load

4
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
 The Bridge Rectifier with Resistive Load
The voltage across a resistive load for the bridge rectifier of fig. a is expressed as

The dc component of the output voltage is the average value, and load current is
the resistor voltage divided by resistance.

The rms value of the output voltage and current are

𝜋
1 𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = (𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡)2 𝑑𝜔𝑡 = = 0.707𝑉𝑚
𝜋 2
0

0.707𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = = 0.707𝐼𝑚
𝑅 2

Power absorbed by the load resistor can be determined from I2rmsR

5
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
The Bridge Rectifier with Highly Inductive Load
For an RL series-connected load in fig. a,
the method of analysis is similar to that for
the half-wave rectifier with the
freewheeling diode.

After a transient that occurs during start-

up, the load current io reaches a periodic
steady-state condition similar to that in fig.
b.

For the bridge circuit, current is

transferred from one pair of diodes to the
other pair when the source changes
polarity. The voltage across the RL load is
a full-wave rectified sinusoid, as it was for
the resistive load.

6
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
The Bridge Rectifier with Highly Inductive Load
If L >> R

In some applications, the load inductance

may be relatively large or made large by
adding external inductance.
The dc component of the output voltage is
the average value, and load current is the
resistor voltage divided by resistance.

The rms value of the output voltage and

current are
𝜋
1 𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = (𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡)2 𝑑𝜔𝑡 = = 0.707𝑉𝑚
𝜋 2
0

𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 ≈ 𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝑑𝑐
7
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier
For The Center-Tapped Transformer
Rectifier of fig a, these are some basic
observations:

• Kirchhoff’s voltage law shows that only one

diode can conduct at a time. Load current can
be positive or zero but never negative.
• The output voltage is +vs1 when D1 conducts
and is -vs2 when D2 conducts. The transformer
secondary voltages are related to the source
voltage by vs1=vs2=vs( N2/2N1).
• Kirchhoff’s voltage law around the
transformer secondary windings, D1, and D2
shows that the maximum voltage across a
reverse-biased diode is twice the peak value of
the load voltage.
• Current in each half of the transformer
secondary is reflected to the primary,
resulting in an average source current of zero.
• The transformer provides electrical isolation
between the source and the load.
• The fundamental frequency of the output
voltage is 2𝜔 since two periods of the output
occur for every period of the input.
8
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

9
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
The Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier
For Resistive Load
The voltage across a resistive load for the bridge rectifier of fig. a is expressed as

The dc component of the output voltage is the average value, and load current is
the resistor voltage divided by resistance.

The rms value of the output voltage and current are

𝜋
1 𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = (𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡)2 𝑑𝜔𝑡 = = 0.707𝑉𝑚
𝜋 2
0

0.707𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚
𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = Or 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = = 0.707𝐼𝑚
𝑅 2

Power absorbed by the load resistor can be determined from I2rmsR

10
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
The Bridge Rectifier with Highly Inductive Load
If L >> R
The dc component of the output voltage is
the average value, and load current is the
resistor voltage divided by resistance.

The rms value of the output voltage and

current are

𝜋
1 𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = (𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡)2 𝑑𝜔𝑡 = = 0.707𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 ≈ 𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝑑𝑐
𝜋 2
0

The lower peak diode voltage in the bridge rectifier makes it more suitable for
high-voltage applications. The center-tapped transformer rectifier, in addition
to include electrical isolation, has only one diode voltage drop between the
source and load, making it desirable for low-voltage, high-current applications.
11
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
 Table of contents

• Three Phase Uncontrolled Half Wave Rectifiers

1

• Three –Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled Bridge

Rectifier
2

• Six-phase Star Rectifier

3

2
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
Three Phase Uncontrolled Half Wave Rectifiers
A basic three-phase half-wave
rectifier circuit with resistive load is
shown in Figure. The rectifier is fed
from an ideal 3–phase supply through
delta–star 3-phase transformer.

The principle of operation of this convertor can be explained

as follows:
• The diode in a particular phase conducts during the period when the
voltage on that phase is higher than that on the other two phases. For
example: from π/6 to 5π/6, D1 has a more positive voltage at its
anode, in this period D2 and D3 are off. The neutral wire provides a
return path to the load current.
• The conduction sequence is: D1 ,D2, D3.

It is clear that, unlike the single-phase rectifier circuit, the conduction

angle of each diode is 2π/3, instead of π.

3
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
Three Phase Uncontrolled Half Wave Rectifiers

4
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
Three Phase Uncontrolled Half Wave Rectifiers
Variation of voltage across Diode D1

Voltage variation across diode D1 can be obtained by applying KVL to the loop
consisting of diode D1, Phase ‘a’ winding and load R.

So, -VD1 -Vo + Va = 0 or VD1 = Va – Vo

When Diode D1 conduct:
Vo = Va
Therefore , VD1 = Va – Va = 0
When diode D2 conduct :
Vo = Vb
Therefore , VD1 = Va – Vb
At 𝜔t = 180⁰, Vb=0.866Vmp , Va = 0 VD1 = - 0.866Vmp
At 𝜔t = 210⁰, Vb= Vmp , Va = -0.5Vmp VD1 = -1.5Vmp
At 𝜔t = 240⁰, Vb=0.866Vmp , Va = -0.866Vmp VD1 = - √3Vmp
At 𝜔t = 270⁰, Vb=0.5Vmp , Va = -Vmp VD1 = -1.5Vmp

5
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
Three Phase Uncontrolled Half Wave Rectifiers
Variation of voltage across Diode D1

When Diode D3 conducts :

VD1= Va - Vc
At 𝜔t = 300⁰, Va=-0.866 Vmp , Vc=0.866Vmp VD1=-√3Vmp

At 𝜔t = 330⁰, Va=-0.5Vmp , Vc =Vmp VD1=-1.5Vmp

At 𝜔t = 360⁰, Va=0 , Vc=0.866Vmp VD1=-0.866Vmp

At 𝜔t = 390⁰, Va= 0.5Vmp , Vc=0.5Vmp VD1=0

D3 D1 D2 D3

6
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
Three Phase Uncontrolled Half Wave Rectifiers
Let
𝑉𝑎𝑛 = 𝑉𝑚 sin𝜔t 𝑉𝑏𝑛 = 𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔t-2π/3) 𝑉𝑏𝑛 = 𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔t-4π/3)

The dc component of the output voltage is the average value, and load current is
the resistor voltage divided by resistance.
5𝜋/6
3 3 3𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡 𝑑𝜔𝑡 = = 0.827𝑉𝑚
2𝜋 2π
𝜋/6

3 3𝑉𝑚 0.827𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑑𝑐 = =
2π𝑅 𝑅

The rms value of the output voltage and current are

5𝜋/6
3 0.84𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = (𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡)2 𝑑𝜔𝑡 = 0.84𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 =
2𝜋 𝑅
𝜋/6

The rms current in each transformer secondary winding can also be found as
5𝜋/6
1
𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = (𝐼𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡)2 𝑑𝜔𝑡 = 0.485𝐼𝑚
2𝜋
𝜋/6
7
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled Bridge Rectifier
Three-phase rectifiers are
commonly used in industry to
produce a dc voltage and current
for large loads. The three-phase
voltage source is balanced and
has phase sequence a-b-c.

Some basic observations about the circuit are as follows:

• Kirchhoff’s voltage law around any path shows that only one diode
in the top half of the bridge may conduct at one time (D1, D3, or D5).
The diode that is conducting will have its anode connected to the
phase voltage that is highest at that instant.

• Kirchhoff’s voltage law also shows that only one diode in the bottom
half of the bridge may conduct at one time (D2, D4, or D6). The diode
that is conducting will have its cathode connected to the phase
voltage that is lowest at that instant.

• D1 and D4 cannot conduct at the same time. Similarly, D3 and D6

cannot conduct simultaneously, nor can D5 and D2.
8
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled Bridge Rectifier

Some basic observations about the circuit are as follows:

• The output voltage across the load is one of the line-to-line

voltages of the source. For example, when D1 and D2 are ON,
the output voltage is vac. Furthermore, the diodes that are ON
are determined by which line-to-line voltage is the highest at
that instant. For example, when vac is the highest line-to-line
voltage, the output is vac.

• There are six combinations of line-to-line voltages (three

phases taken two at a time). Considering one period of the
source to be 360o, a transition of the highest line-to-line voltage
must take place every 360o/6=60o. Because of the six transitions
that occur for each period of the source voltage, the circuit is
called a six-pulse rectifier.

• The fundamental frequency of the output voltage is 6𝜔, where

𝜔 is the frequency of the three-phase source.
9
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled Bridge Rectifier
The figures shows the phase voltages and
the resulting combinations of line-to-line
voltages from a balanced three-phase
source and the current in each of the
bridge diodes for a resistive load.

The diodes conduct in pairs (6,1), (1,2),

(2,3), (3,4), (4,5), (5,6), (6,1), . . . . Diodes
turn on in the sequence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1, . . .

The current in a conducting diode is the

same as the load current. To determine the
current in each phase of the source,
Kirchhoff’s current law is applied at nodes
a, b, and c,

10
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled Bridge Rectifier
Let
𝑉𝑎𝑛 = 𝑉𝑚 sin𝜔t 𝑉𝑏𝑛 = 𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔t-2π/3) 𝑉𝑏𝑛 = 𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔t-4π/3)

𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 𝑉𝑎𝑛 − 𝑉𝑏𝑛 = 3𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔t+π/6)

𝑉𝑏𝑐 = 𝑉𝑏𝑛 − 𝑉𝑐𝑛 = 3𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔t-π/2)

𝑉𝑐𝑎 = 𝑉𝑐𝑛 − 𝑉𝑎𝑛 = 3𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔t-7π/6)

The dc component of the output voltage is the average value, and load current is
the resistor voltage divided by resistance.
𝜋/2 𝜋/2
3 3
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 3𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔t+π/6) 𝑑𝜔𝑡 = 3𝑉𝑚 (sin𝜔t cosπ/6+cos𝜔t sinπ/6)𝑑𝜔𝑡
𝜋 𝜋
𝜋/6 𝜋/6
𝜋/2
3 3 1 3 3𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 3𝑉𝑚 ( sin𝜔t + cos𝜔t)𝑑𝜔𝑡 = = 1.654𝑉𝑚
𝜋 2 2 π
𝜋/6

𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑑𝑐 = 1.654
𝑅
The average power is 𝑃𝑑𝑐 = 𝑉𝑑𝑐 𝐼𝑑𝑐
11
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
Three Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled Bridge Rectifier
The rms value of the output voltage is

𝜋/2
3
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ( 3𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡−π/6))2 𝑑𝜔𝑡 = 1.655𝑉𝑚
𝜋
𝜋/6

The rms current in each phase can also be found as

𝐼 𝑎,𝑏,𝑐 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 0.78𝐼𝑚

The rms current through a diode is:

𝐼 𝐷 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 0.552𝐼𝑚

Where

𝐼𝑚 = 1.73𝑉𝑚 /𝑅

12
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
 Six-phase Star Rectifier
The six-phase voltages on the secondary are
obtained by means of a center-tapped
arrangement on a star-connected three
phase winding.

The diode in a particular phase conducts

during the period when the voltage on that
phase is higher than that on the other
phases. The conduction angle of each diode
is π/3.

Currents flow in only one rectifying element

at a time, resulting in a low average current,
but a high peak to an average current ratio
in the diodes.

Six-phase star circuit is attractive in

applications which require a low ripple
factor and a common cathode or anode for
the rectifiers.

13
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
 Six-phase Star Rectifier
The average value of the output voltage can be found as

The rms of the output voltage can be found as

2𝜋/3
3 3 𝜋 3
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = (𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡)2 𝑑𝜔𝑡 = 𝑉𝑚 ( + ) = 0.956𝑉𝑚
𝜋 𝜋 6 4
𝜋/3

The rms current in each transformer secondary winding can also be found as

1 𝜋 3
𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝐼𝑚 ( + ) = 0.396𝐼𝑚
2𝜋 6 4

Where

𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑚 =
𝑅

14
Dr. Hossam Khalil Faculty of Engineering 6 October University
Questions??

15