ELEC4614 Power Electronics

University of New South Wales

School of Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications

Tutorial 2 - Rectifier circuits 1

1. A single-phase, half-wave rectifier is supplied from a 240V, 50Hz supply. Calculate the mean
load voltage and current for:

a) a 10 resistive load;

b) a load consisting of a 10 resistor in series with a 0.1H inductor.

[(a) 108V, 10.8A; (b) 58.7V, 5.87A]

2. A single phase half-wave controlled rectifier is connected to a 110V, 50Hz supply and to a load
consisting of a 10 resistor in series with a 50mH inductor.

If the firing angle of the thyristor is 45, derive an expression for the load current and
determine the extinction angle by iteration. Compare with the extinction angle given by the
conduction angle chart. Calculate the mean load voltage and current.

If a flywheel diode is connected, calculate the firing angle that will result in the same mean
voltage and current as before.
[239, 30.3V; 3.02A; 77]

3. A 100 V battery is to be charged via a single diode and series resistor from an ac supply with a
peak voltage of 200V. Calculate the value of the series resistor which will result in an average
charging current of 1 amp. Assume that the diode has a constant forward resistance of 2 and
that battery has a constant EMF of 100V and negligible internal resistance.
[19.8]

4. For a single phase, fully controlled bridge rectifier, derive an expression for the power supplied
to a resistive load as the firing angle is varied. If one thyristor becomes faulty and will not turn
on, calculate the firing angle which will give 25% of maximum possible load power. [HINT:
power is a function of RMS current]
[ V̂ 2  π  α  0.5sin2α  2π R ; 90]

5. A heater with a resistance of 40 is supplied from a 240V ac supply. The heater power is to
be continuously variable between 100W and 1000W. Show that the necessary control can be
achieved by using a single phase, fully controlled bridge rectifier, and calculate the range of
firing angle required. Assume that a loss-less inductor is connected in series with the heater
to ensure ripple-free current, and allow for a forward voltage drop of 1.5V for each thyristor.
[72.2 to 20.1]

6. A single-phase fully controlled bridge rectifier supplies ripple-free current to a highly inductive
load. Derive an expression for the mean load voltage and also the rms value of the ac line
current assuming:

a) no flywheel diode;

b) a flywheel diode is connected.

[(a) V  2 V̂ cosα , I  I ; (b) V  V̂ [cosα  1] , I  I πα ]

AV ac dc av ac dc
π π π

Uncontrolled Rectifiers 1 J Fletcher

ELEC4614 Power Electronics

Uncontrolled Rectifiers 2 J Fletcher