ELG4139: Rectifiers and Controlled Rectifiers

AC to DC Converters
Linear Rectifier
Consist of:
Transformer: steps ac voltage up or down.
Rectifier Diodes: change ac to bumpy dc.
Filter Network: includes capacitors and inductors,
smooths out the bumps.
Voltage Regulator: keeps the voltage constant.
Protection: usually a zener diode circuit.
Example: Computer Power Supply

Example: Adjustable Motor Speed Drive

Power Supply Specifics: Half Wave Rectifier
Source: ARRL
Half-Wave Rectifier
High ripple factor.

Low rectification
efficiency.

Low transformer
utilization factor.
Power Supply Specifics
Full Wave Center-Tapped Rectifier
Source: ARRL
Power Supply: Full Wave Bridge Rectifier
Source: ARRL
Filtering
Capacitors are used in power supply filter networks. The
capacitors smooth out the rippled AC to DC.

Source: ARRL
Rectifier Performance Parameters
2 2
dc rms ac
V V V =
ac dc
P P / = q Rectification Efficiency
dc rms
V V FF / =
1 1
2
2
2
2 2
= =

= = FF
V
V
V
V V
V
V
RF
dc
rms
dc
dc rms
dc
ac
Form Factor
Ripple factor

Example 1: A half-wave rectifier has a pure resistive load of R
Determine (a) The efficiency, (b) Form factor (c) Ripple factor.
t
t
t
e e
t
t
m m
m dc
V V
t d t V V = = =
}
)) 0 cos( cos (
2
) sin(
2
1
0
R
V
R
V
I
m dc
dc
t
= =
2
) sin (
2
1
0
2 m
m rms
V
t V V = =
}
t
e
t
R
V
I
m
rms
2
=
% 53 . 40
2
*
2
*
*
*
= = = =
R
V V
R
V V
I V
I V
P
P
m m
m m
rms rms
dc dc
ac
dc
t t
q


57 . 1
2
2
= = = =
t
t
m
m
dc
rms
V
V
V
V
FF
211 . 1 1 57 . 1 1
2 2
= = = = FF
V
V
RF
dc
ac
.
Three-Phase Diode Bridge Rectifier
Waveforms and Conduction Times of Three-Phase Bridge Rectifier
Three-Phase Full-Wave Rectifier

Example 2: A single-phase diode bridge rectifier has a purely resistive load of
R=15 ohms and, VS=300 sin 314 t and unity transformer ratio. Determine (a) The
efficiency, (b) Form factor, (c) Ripple factor, (d) and, (d) Input power factor.
V
V
t d t V V
m
m dc
956 . 190
2
sin
1
0
= = =
}
t
e e
t
t
A
R
V
I
m
dc
7324 . 12
2
= =
t
( ) V
V
t d t V V
m
m rms
132 . 212
2
sin
1
2 / 1
0
2
= =
(
(

=
}
t
e e
t
% 06 . 81 = = =
rms rms
dc dc
ac
dc
I V
I V
P
P
q
11 . 1 = =
dc
rms
V
V
FF
482 . 0 1 1
2
2
2
2 2
= = =

= = FF
V
V
V
V V
V
V
RF
dc
rms
dc
dc rms
dc
ac
Input power factor =
1
cos Power Real
= =
S S
S S
I V
I V
Power Apperant
|
Alternative! Controlled Switching Mode
By using linear regulator, the AC to DC converter is not efficient and
of large size and weight!
Using Switching-Mode
High efficiency
Small size and light weight
For high power (density) applications.
Use Power Electronics!

Thyristors and Controlled Rectifiers
Controlled Rectifier Circuit

=
1
2

1 +

=
1
2

1/2

=

2
1

+
2
2
1/2

Example: Consider the following SCR-based variable voltage supply. For RL=240 Ohm, derive the
RMS value of the load voltage as a function of the firing angle, and then calculate the load power
when the firing angle o is 0, t/2, and t.
Full-Wave Rectifiers Using SCR

=
2
2

=
2

=
2
2

1/2

=

2
=

With a purely resistive load, SCRs S
1
and S
2
can conduct from o to t, and SCRs S
3

and S
4
can conduct from o+t to 2t.