Assignment #2

1110-BE-EE04

Arsalan Ahmed Shaikh | Power Electronics | April 27, 2015

Q#1. Compare half controlled and fully controlled converter

circuits.
Ans. A single-phase bridge type semi-converter is also referred to as single-phase half-controlled
rectifier. It is a two-pulse converter of single-quadrant type. A typical semiconductor using two
thyristors and three diodes is shown in figure 1(a). The two thyristors are T1 and T2; the two diodes
are D1 and D2; the third diode connected across load is free-wheeling diode FD. The load is RLE
Type. Various voltage and current waveforms are shown in the figure 1(b). The load current
waveforms shown in figure 1(c) is assumed to be continuous.

Controlled means not necessarily controlling both positive and negative part of waveform.
Controlled means using only thyristor for rectification, even if diodes are used, then it is for
freewheeling, but not for rectification. Controlled rectifier can be used to control either half
wave or full wave, depending upon number of thyristor used. One thyristor can control from 0 to
180 degree. So by using two thyristor you control both part of waveform. Half-wave controlled
rectifier-controlled (only thyristor) rectifier controlling only half of wave 0 to 180 or 180 to
360.
A fully controlled converter or two pulse converter results in lower current ripple factor compared

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with half controlled converter or one pulse convertor. By adapting symmetrical triggering the dc
component that would be otherwise present in the supply lines of the half controlled convertor is
eliminated. Single phase full wave controlled converters are two pulse converters. There are two
types of single phase two pulse converters:
1.
2.

Single phase full wave midpoint thyristor converter

Single phase full wave thyristor bridge converte

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Q#2. What are the advantages of using a freewheeling diode in

converter circuits?
Answer. A Free Wheel Diode (FWD) at the output of a full wave rectifier will:
1. Increase DC voltage for a given firing angle due to the elimination of negative portions of the
instantaneous dc waveform in a SCR phase controlled converter,

2. Will reduce the generated ripple voltage on the DC side of a SCR phase controlled converter due
to same reason as in above, reducing the filtering requirements.

3. Will improve the input PF in an SCR phase controlled converter due to ending the input current
waveform earlier by permitting internal free-wheeling.

4. Use of the FWD prevents operation of the SCR converter in inversion mode.

5. Reduces the harmonics

However, the above will happen only if (a) the DC side has sufficient inductance either as filter or
as part of load, (b) the firing angle is more than 30 deg for 3-phase, only after which the negative
portion appears. Note that there will be no benefit in a diode rectifier since the FWD is always
reverse-biased.

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Q#3. List the two modes of operation of dual converter bridge.

Explain each mode of operation.
Answer. As the name indicates, a dual converter consists of two full converters or fully controlled
rectifiers. These two converters are connected in anti-parallel and they share a common load. A
well-known application is speed control of dc motor drives. It provides reversible dc voltages for
speed reversal. There are two modes of operation of dual converter bridge:
1.
2.

Non circulating current mode

Circulating current mode

Dual Converter with circulating current:

In circulating current mode, both converters are gated simultaneously, one operating in the
rectifying mode and other in the inverting mode to avoid short circuits. The firing angles are
adjusted such that 1+ 2=180. This ensures that one converter operates in rectifier mode and
other in inverter mode.

Their average output voltages are equal. However, there is a difference in the instantaneous values
of the output voltages causing a circulating current through the converters. To reduce the
circulating current it is necessary to include a coil of inductance Lc in the circulating path current.
The load is connected to the center tape of the coil.

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Dual converters without circulating current mode:

In non-circulating current mode, at a given time only one converter is triggered. The firing pulses
are not applied to the other converter. When reversal of output voltage is required, the firing pulses
for the conducting converters are stopped and the second converter is gated. Since the conducting
SCRs in the first converter turn-off only when the current goes to zero, a small dead time must be
allowed before the second converter is gated. Otherwise, the ac input is shorted through the two
converters. For this, a current sensor is required which ensures that all the SCRs in the converter 1
are turned-off before the firing pulses are applied to the SCRs of the second converter.

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Q#4. Explain the operation of half uncontrolled and controlled

bridge converter with necessary waveforms. Also drive and
expression for the average output voltages.
Answer. A single-phase bridge type semi-converter is also referred to as single-phase halfcontrolled rectifier. It is a two-pulse converter of single-quadrant type. A typical
semiconductor using two thyristors and three diodes is shown in figure 1(a). The two
thyristors are T1 and T2; the two diodes are D1 and D2; the third diode connected across
load is free-wheeling diode FD. The load is RLE Type. Various voltage and current
waveforms are shown in the figure 1(b). The load current waveforms shown in figure 1(c) is
assumed to be continuous.

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Q#5. Draw the circuitry for the fully controlled thyristor-bridge

converter and explain its operations with necessary waveforms.
Drive an expression for average output voltage.
Answer.

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Q#6. Explain the effects of source inductance on the operation of

thyristor converters.
Answer.

Q#7. List the two modes of operation of dual converter bridge.

Explain each mode of operation.
Answer. Following are the two modes:
1.
2.

Singe-phase full wave midpoint thyristor converter

Single phase full wave thyristor bridge wave converterf

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