CH.

4 Full-wave and Three-

phase rectifiers
(Converting AC to DC)
4-1 Introduction

The average current in AC source is zero
in the full-wave rectifier, thus avoiding problems
associated with nonzero average source currents,
particularly in transformers.
The output of the full-wave rectifier has inherently
less ripple than the half-wave rectifier.
Uncontrolled and controlled single-phase and three-
phase full-wave converters used as rectifiers are
analyzed.
4-2 Single-phase full-wave rectifiers

Fig. 4-1 Bridge rectifier










The lower peak diode voltage make it more suitable
for high-voltage applications.








Fig. 4-2 center-tapped transformer
rectifier

With electrical isolation, only
one diode voltage drop between
the source and load, suitable for
low-voltage, high-current applications



Resistive load

(

t s s t
t s s
=
2
0
0
wt , wt sin Vm
wt , wt sin Vm
) wt ( v

}
= =
t
t
t
0
2 ) ( ) sin(
1
Vm
wt d wt Vm Vo
) (
2
R
Vm
R
Vo
Io
t
= =

2
Im
= Irms
power absorbed by the load resistor
rmsR I P
R
2
=
power factor Pf=1

R-L load Fig.4-3

=
t + + =
4 2
0
, , n
) nwt cos( Vn Vo ) wt ( v

t
=
Vm
Vo 2

|
.
|

\
|
+

=
1
1
1
1 2
n n
Vm
Vn
t

R
Vo
Io =

| jnwL R |
Vn
Zn
Vn
In
+
= =


If L is relatively large, the load current is essentially
dc. ( )
R >> L for
Io Irms
R
Vm
R
Vo
Io ) wt ( i
e
(
(

(
~
t
= = ~

2

Source harmonics are rich in the odd-numbered harmonics.
Filtersreducing the harmonics.
R >> L e

R-L source load Fig.4-5
For continuous current operation, the only modification to
the analysis that was done for R-L load is in the dc
term of the Fourier series .The dc component of current
in this circuit is.

R
Vdc
Vm
R
Vdc Vo
Io

=

=
t
2
The sinusoidal terms in the Fourier analysis
are unchanged by the dc source, provided
that the current is continuous.
Discontinuous current is analyzed like
section 3-5.
Capacitance output filter: Fig. 4-6
Assuming ideal diodes

u
=
u
of f diodes , e sin Vm
on pair diode one , | wt sin Vm |
) wt ( v
) wRc /( ) wt (

0
u
the angle where the diodes become reverse biased,
which is the same as for the half-wave rectifier
and is
t + e = e = u

) RC ( Tan ) RC ( Tan
1 1

o t + = wt

) sin( Vm e sin Vm
) RC /( ) (
o + t = u
e u o + t

0 = o u
e u o + t
sin e ) (sin
) RC /( ) (

o
= solved numerically for
o
Peak-to-peak variation(ripple)

) sin 1 ( | ) sin( | o o t = + = A Vm Vm Vm Vo
In practical circuits where RC
,

2
,
2
t
o
t
u ~ ~
minimal output voltage occurs at
o + t = wt

) RC /(
) RC /( ) (
e Vm e Vm ) ( v
e t
e
t

t
+ t
= = o + t
2 2
0
| |
f RC
Vm
RC
Vm

RC
Vm
e Vm e Vm Vm Vo
) RC /( ) RC /(
2
1 1
1

=
e
t
=
(

|
.
|

\
|
e
t
=
= ~ A
e t e t

f w
x x x
e
x
t 2
...
3 2 1
1
3 2
=
+ + + + =

is half that of the half-wave rectifier.
t >>
Fig. 4-7 (a) Voltage doubler
Fig. 4-7 (b) Dual voltage rectifier
=full-wave rectifier(sw. open)+
voltage doubler(sw. closed)
L-C filtered output Fig.4-8

C holds the output voltage at a constant level, and the L
smoothes the current from rectifier and reduces the peak
current in diodes.
Continuous
Current
(
L
V 2
t
Vm
Vo Vx = =
=0 , full-wave rectified
)

0 ,
) (
2 = = = = Ic
R
Vm
R
Vo
I I
R L
t

L
i
The variation in can be estimate from the first
Ac term (n=2) in the Fourier series.
The amplitude of the inductor current for n=2 is

L
Vm
L
/ Vm
L
V
Z
V
I
te
=
e
t
=
e
= =
3
2
2
3 4
2
2
2
2
2
where
2
1
1
1
1 2
=
|
.
|

\
|
+

t
= n ,
n n
Vm
Vn
For Continuous current,
L
I I <
2

R
Vm
L
Vm
t
<
te
2
3
2

e
>
3
R
L

1
3
>
e
R
L
Discontinuous current

When is positive ( at )
,
Vo wt V v
m L
= sin

| |
( ) | |
? i

, wt f or
wt Vo wt Vm
L

wt d Vo wt Vm
L
wt i
L
wt
L
= =
< s s
=
=
}
| |
t | | o
o o
e
e
o
, 0 ) (
,
) cos (cos
1
) ( sin
1
) (

L
i
Vo wt V
m
= sin
o = wt
|
.
|

\
|
=

Vm
Vo
1
sin o
Procedure for determining Vo

(1) Estimate a Value for Vo slightly below Vm, and solve ? = o
(2) Solve numerically,
|


) ( ) cos (cos 0 ) ( o | | o | = = Vo Vm i
L
(3) Solve
| |
}
}
|
o
|
o
o o
e t
=
t
=
) wt ( d ) wt ( Vo ) wt cos (cos Vm
L

) wt ( d ) wt ( i I
L L
1 1
1
(4) Slove Vo= R I
L
(5) Repeat step (1)~(4) until the computed Vo in step(4)
equals the estimated Vo in step(1)
Output Voltage for discontinuous current is larger than
for continuous current.(see Fig4-8(d))
4-3 controlled full-wave rectifiers

Resistive load Fig.4-10
) cos (
Vm

) wt ( d ) wt sin( Vm Vo
o +
t
=
t
=
}
t
o
1
1

angle delay = o

) cos 1 ( o
t
+ = =
R
Vm
R
Vo
Io

t
o
t
o
t
t
o
4
) 2 sin(
2 2
1

) ( ) sin (
1
2
+ =
=
}
R
Vm
wt d wt
R
Vm
I
rms
The power delivered to the load rmsR I P
2
=
The rms current in source is the same as the rms current in
the load.
R-L load : Fig.4-11

Analysis of the controlled full-wave rectifier operating in the
discontinuous current mode is identical to that of the controlled
half-wave rectifier, except that the period for the output current
is . t
| |
) /( ) t (
o
e ) sin( ) t sin(
Z
Vm
) wt ( i
et o e
u o u e = for
| s e s o t

R
L
, )
R
L
( tan
) L ( R Z
= t
e
= u
e + =
1
2 2
For discontinuous current

t o | + <
discontinuous current :
continuous current
0 ) ( , > + + = o t o t i wt
| |
current continuous f or
R
L
Tan
0 ) - (
0 ) - sin(
e
e
1 -
) (
0 1 ) sin(
0 ) sin( ) sin(
) /(
) /( ) (
e
u o
o u
o u
o u
u o u o t
et t
et o o t
= s
>
>
> +
> +

+
,.... 6 , 4 , 2
1
) 1 sin(
1
) 1 sin( 2
1
) 1 cos(
1
) 1 cos( 2
cos
2
) ( sin
1
) cos( ) (
2 2
1
=
(

+
+
=
(

+
+
=
+ =
= =
+ + =
}

=
n
n
n
n
n Vm
b
n
n
n
n Vm
a
b a Vn
Vm
wt d wt Vm Vo
n nwt Vn Vo wt v
n
n
n n
n
0
o o
t
o o
t
o
t t
u
o t
o
) (
an
bn
Tan n
1 -

= u
Fig 4-12
R
Vo
Io
)
In
( Io Irms
| jnwL R |
Vn
Zn
Vn
In
... , n
=
+ =
+
= =

= 4 2
2 2
2
R-L Source load Fig.4-14
The SCRS may be turned on at any time that they are
forward biased, which is at an angle

) ( sin
1
Vm
Vdc

> o
For continuous current case, the average bridge output voltage is

average load current is
The ac voltage terms are unchanged from the controlled rectifier
with an R-L load. The ac current terms are determined from
circuit.
Power absorbed by the dc voltage is


e l is L if R Io rmsR I P arg
2 2
~ =
o
t
= cos
Vm
Vo
2
R
Vdc Vo
Io

=
Vdc Io Pdc =
Power absorbed by resistor in the load is
Controlled Single-phase converter operating as an inverter
seeing Fig 4-14. 4-15

.


0 0
90 0 < o <

0 > Vo
rectifier operation

0 0
180 90 < <o

0 < Vo
inverter operation

IoVo P P
ac bridge
= =
For inverter operation, power is supplied by the dc source,
and power is absorbed by the bridge and is transferred to
the ac system.

Vdc and Vo must be negative
4-4 Three-phase rectifiers

Resistive load : Fig 4-16
DiodeONDiodeON
Diode ON
A transition of the highest line-to-line voltage must take place
every
0 0
60 6 / 360 =
.
Because of the six transitions that occur for each period
of the source voltage, the circuit is called a six-pulse
rectifier.

vo(t)3 6
|
Diode turn on in the sequence 1,2,3,4,5,6,1,..

=
=
=
2 5
6 3
4 1
D D c
D D b
D D a
i i i
i i i
i i i
0 0
60 6 / 360 =
|

=
=
=
2 5
6 3
4 1
D D c
D D b
D D a
i i i
i i i
i i i
Each diode conducts one-third of the time, resulting in
avg o avg D
I I
, ,
3
1
=

rms o rms D
I I
, ,
3
1
=

rms o rms S
I I
, ,
3
2
=
Apparent power from the three-phase source is
rms , S rms , L L
I V S

= 3
... , , , n ,
) n (
V
V
V .
V
) wt ( wtd sin V
/
V
) t nw cos( V Vo ) t ( v
L L , m
n
L L , m
L L , m
/
/
L L , m
.. , , n
n
18 12 6
1
6
95 0
3
3
1
2
3 2
3
0
0
18 12 6
0
=
t
=
=
t
=
t
=
t + + =

t
t

=
}

Since the output voltage is periodic with period 1/6 of the ac

supply voltage, the harmonics in the output are of order 6k,
k=1,2,3,

Adevantageoutput is inherently like a dc voltage, and the high-
frequency low-amplitude harmonics enable filters to be effective.
For a dc load current (constant I0) --- Fig4.17
.... t w cos t w cos t w cos t w cos t w (cos I i
o a 0 0 0 0 0
13
13
1
11
11
1
7
7
1
5
5
1 3 2
+ +
t
=
which consists of terms at fundamental frequency of the ac
system and harmonics of order 6k

1, k=1,2,3,
Filters(Fig.4-18) are frequently necessary to prevent harmonic
currents to enter the ac system.
Resonant filters for 5th and 7th harmonics.
High-pass filters for higher order harmonics.
4-5 Controlled three-phase rectifiers
o
t
t
o
t
o
t
cos )
3
(
) ( sin
3
1
,
3
2
3
,
L L m
L L m o
V

wt wtd V V

+
+

=
=
}
Harmonics for output voltage remain of order 6k, but amplitude are
functions of o
. seeing Fig. 4-20
Twelve-pulse rectifiersusing two six-pulse bridges
The purpose of the transformer connection is to introduce
phase shift between the source and bridge.
This results in inputs to two bridges which are
apart. The two bridge outputs are similar, but also shifted by

A Y
0
30

0
30
0
30
.
The delay angles for the bridge are typically the same.

o
t
o
t
o
t
cos
6
cos
3
cos
3
, , ,
, ,
L L m L L m L L m
o Y o o
V V V
V V V

A
= + = + =
The peak output of the twelve-pulse converter occurs midway
between alternate peaks of the six-pulse converters. Adding the
voltages at that point for gives
= 0 o

= = =

0 932 . 1 ) 15 cos( 2
, , ,
o for V V V
L L m L L m peak o
Since a transition between conducting SCRs every
, there are a total of 12 such transitions for each period of the
ac source. The output has harmonic frequencies which are multiple
of 12 times the source fre. (12k k=1,2,)

30
,... 2 , 1 1 12
cos
1
cos
1
(cos
3
) ( ) ( ) (
....) cos
13
1
cos
11
1
cos
7
1
cos
5
1
(cos
3 2
) (
....) cos
13
1
cos
11
1
cos
7
1
cos
5
1
(cos
3 2
) (
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
= =
+ = + =
+ + + =
+ + =
A
A
k , k order harmonic , i
...) t w 13
13
t w 11
11
- t w I
4
t i t i t i
t w 13 t w 11 t w 7 - t w 5 t w I t i
t w 13 t w 11 t w 7 t w 5 t w I t i
ac
o Y ac
o
o Y
t
t
t
Cancellation of harmonics 6(2n-1) 1 , n=1, 2, has resulted
from this transformer and converter configuration.

This principle can be expanded to arrangements of higher pulse

number by incorporating increased number of six-pulse converters
with transformers which have the appropriate phase shifts.
The characteristic ac harmonics of a p-pulse converter will be
pk 1 , k=1,2,3

More expense for producing high-voltage transformers with the

appropriate phase shifts.
Three-phase converter operating as a inverter
seeing 4-22.
The bridge output voltage Vo must be negative.

operation Inverter - - 0 Vo ,
operation Rectifier - - 0 Vo ,
> < < <
> > < <
180 90
90 0
o
o
4-6 DC power transmission
By using controlled twelve-pulse converter (generally).
Used for very long distances of transmission lines.

Advantages(1) , voltage drop in lines
(2) , line loss


0 =
L
X
=
C
X

( + current line
(3) Two conductors required rather than three
(4) Transmission towers are smaller.
(5 ) Power flow in a dc transmission line is controllable
by adjustment of delay angles at the terminals.
(6) Power flow can be modulated during disturbances on
one of the ac system. System stability increased.
(7) The two ac systems that are connected by the dc
line do not need to be in synchronization.
)
Disadvantagescostly ac-dc converter, filter, and control system
required at each end of the line to interface
with the ac system.

Fig.4-23 using six-pulse converter
(

< <
< < +
=
inverter
rectifier
V V
o o
180 90 ,
90 0 ,
,
2 1
o
o

For current being ripple free

2
, 2
2
1
, 1
1
2 1
cos
3
cos
3
o
t
o
t
L L m
o
L L m
o
o o
o
V
V
V
V
R
V V
I

=
=
+
=
Power supplied by the converter at terminal 1 is
o o
I V P
1 1
=
Power supplied by the converter at terminal 2 is
o o
I V P
2 2
=
Fig.4-24 using twelve-pulse converter
(a bipolar scheme)
One of the lines is energized at and the other is energized
at - . In emergency situations, one pole of the line can operate
without the other pole, with current returning through the ground path.

dc
V +
dc
V
4-7 commutation effect of source inductance ( )
Single-phase bridge rectifier: Fig.4-25
s
X
Assume that the load current is constant Io.
Commutation interval starts at t= t

) changed polarity ( Source
o
m
t
o s
I ) wt cos (
Ls
V

I ) wt ( wtd sin Vm
Ls
) wt ( i
+ +
e
=
+
e
=
}
e
t
1
1
Commutation is completed at t=
t
+u
| |
0 0
1 I ) u cos(
Ls
V
I ) u ( i
m
+ + t +
e

= = + t
)
Vm
X I
( cos )
Vm
Ls I
( cos u
S o o
2
1
2
1
1 1
=
e
=

=> Commutation angle

Ls X
S
e =
Average load voltage is
)
V
X I
(
2V

) u cos (
V
) wt ( d wt sin V V
m
s o m
m
m
u
o

t
=
+
t
=
t
=
}
t
1
1
1
Source inductance lowers the average output voltage of full-
wave rectifier.
Three-phase rectifier Fig.4-26
During Commutation from , The voltage across La
is


3 1
D to D
wt sin
V
v
v
L L , m
AB
La
2 2

= =
Current in starts at I0 and decreases zero in the
commutation interval

La

)
V
I X
( cos )
V
I L
( cos u
I ) wt ( d wt sin
V
La
) u ( i
L L , m
s
L L , m
a
u
L L , m
La

+ t
t

=
e
=
+
e
= = + t
}
0 1 0 1
0
2
1
2
1
2
1
0
During the commutation interval from , the converter
output voltage is

3 1
D to D
2
AC BC
o
v v
v
+
=
2 2
2
0
BC AC BC AC
AC
AB
AC
.
.
c L a L AC o
BC AC AB CA BC AB
v v v v
v
v
v v v v v
v - v v , v v v
+
=

=
= + =
= = + +
Average output Voltage Single-phase rectifier
)
V
I X
(
V
V
L L , m
s
L L , m
o

t
=
0
1
3
Source inductance lowers the average output voltage of three-
phase rectifiers.