Single-Phase Controlled

Rectifiers

Dr. K. C. Jana, Associate Professor, EE

Department, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
Monsoon, 2021, Power Electronics, 5th B. Tech, EE (EEC310)
Phase control technique

 The term Phase controlled rectifier is a one type of rectifier circuit

in which the diodes are replaced by Thyristors or SCRs. As the
diodes offer no control over the o/p voltage, whereas the
Thyristors can be used to differ the output voltage by adjusting
the firing angle or delay angle.
 A phase control Thyristor is activated by applying a short pulse to
its gate terminal and it is deactivated due to line or natural
communication. In case of heavy inductive load, it is Turned-OFF
by firing another thyristor of the rectifier during the negative half
cycle of i/p voltage. 2
Applications of Rectifier:
 Phase controlled rectifier applications include paper
mills, textile mills using DC motor drives and DC
motor control in steel mills.
 AC fed traction system using a DC traction motor.
 Electro-metallurgical and Electrochemical processes.
 Reactor controls.
 Magnet power supplies.
 Portable hand instrument drives.
 Flexible speed industrial drives.
 Battery charges.
 High voltage DC transmission.
 UPS (Uninterruptible power supply systems).
Types of Phase Controlled Rectifier

A Rectifier system 4
Performance related parameters of AC-DC converters:
Output ac power
P( ac ) V( RMS ) I( RMS )
Output dc power

P( dc ) V( dc ) I( dc )
Efficiency of Rectification (Rectification Ratio).
P( dc )
 100%
P( ac )

The o/p voltage consists of two components The dc component

V(dc)The ac /ripple component V(ac) Vr(rms)
Performance related parameters:
The total RMS (V(RMS)) value of output
voltage is given by
Vac Vr (rms )  VRMS Vdc
2 2
Ripple Average or dc component

V( RMS )  V( 2dc ) Vr2( rms ) 1 2

Vo ( ) Vdc 
(2 1 )  1
Vo ( )d

V( ac ) Vr ( rms )  V(2RMS ) V(2dc ) 1 2

1 2
VRMS  
(2 1 )  1
Vo2 ( )d

Form Factor (FF), which is a measure of the shape of the

output voltage is given by
V( RMS ) RMS value of output voltage
FF  
V( dc ) Average or DC value of output voltage
Performance related parameters:
The Ripple Factor (RF) w.r.t. o/p
voltage w/f
Vr ( rms ) V( ac )
rv  RF  
V( dc ) V( dc )

2
V2
( RMS ) V 2
( dc )  V( RMS ) 
rv     1
V( dc )  V
 ( dc ) 

 rv  FF 2 1
Performance related parameters:
Vr pp  peak to peak ac ripple output voltage
Vr pp  VOmax  VOmin 
Ir pp  peak to peak ac ripple load current
Ir pp  IOmax IOmin
P( dc )
Transformer Utilization Factor (TUF) TUF 
Vs Is
Where
VS  RMS supply (secondary) voltage
I S  RMS supply (secondary) current
Performance related parameters:

Where
vS  Supply voltage at the transformer secondary side
iS  i/p supply current
(transformer secondary winding current)
iS 1  Fundamental component of the i/p supply current
I P  Peak value of the input supply current
  Phase angle difference between (sine wave components) the fundamental
components of i/p supply current & the input supply voltage.
Performance related parameters:

  Displacement angle (phase angle)

For an RL load
  Displacement angle = Load impedance angle
L 
   tan 
1
 for an RL load
 R 
Displacement Factor (DF) or
Fundamental Power Factor
DF  Cos
Performance related parameters:
Harmonic Factor (HF) or
Total Harmonic Distortion Factor (THD)


IS2  I S21  IS 
2  Sn
I 2

THD  HF  2
   1  n2
IS1  IS 1  IS21

Where
I S = RMS value of input supply current.
I S1 = RMS value of fundamental component of the i/p supply
current.
n=order of unwanted frequency components (harmonics)
Performance related parameters:
Input Power Factor (PF)
VS I S 1 I S1
PF  cos   cos 
VS I S IS
The Crest Factor (CF)
I S  peak  Peak input supply current
CF  
IS RMS input supply current
For an Ideal Controlled Rectifier
FF  1;   100% ; Vac  Vr  rms   0 ; TUF  1;
RF  rv  0 ; HF  THD  0; PF  DPF  1
Performance related parameters:
W VS 1 IS 1 (cos  ) I S 1 P( dc )
PF    cos  TUF 
Vs Is Vs I s Is Vs Is
IS ( peak ) Peak input supply current
CF  
Is RMS input supply current
2
V 2
( RMS ) V 2
( dc )  V( RMS ) 
rv  RF     1
V( dc )  V
 ( dc ) 
V( RMS ) RMS value of output voltage
FF  
V( dc ) Average or DC value of output voltage


IS2  I S21  IS 
2  Sn
I 2

THD  HF  2
   1  n 2

IS1  IS1  IS21

Single phase half wave rectifier circuit
Single-phase Half-wave Rectifier with R-load

i0 = Load current
VT = Voltage across the
thyristor T

vs  Vm sin  t  i/p ac supply voltage

Vm  max. value of i/p ac supply voltage
Vm
VS   RMS value of i/p ac supply voltage
2 14

vO  vL  output voltage across the load

Single-phase Half-wave Rectifier with R-load

v0 = VmSinωt for α≤ωt≤ π

i0 = VmSinωt / R for for α≤ωt≤ π
Single-phase Half-wave
Rectifier with R-load

When the thyristor is triggered at  t  

vO  vL  Vm sin  t ;  t   to 
vO
iO  iL   Load current;  t   to 
R
Vm sin  t
iO  iL   I m sin  t ;  t   to 
R
Vm
Where I m   max. value of load current
R
Single-phase Half-wave Rectifier with R-load
1) Average output voltage:
2
1
VO dc   Vdc 
2  v .d t ;
0
O


1
  Vm sin t.d t 
2 

Vm  
   cos t 
2  

Vm
   cos   cos   ; cos   1
2
Vm
 1  cos   ; Vm  2VS
2
Single-phase Half-wave Rectifier with R-load
2) RMS output voltage:
2  2
1 1  
 0 vO .d t   2  Vm sin t.d t     0.d (t ) 
2 2 2
VO RMS 
2

1

1  cos 2 t  V 2 
   1  cos 2t  .d t 
2 
 V 2
.d  t  m

4
m
2
 
V 1  sin 2t  
 m t    
2    2  

V 1  sin 2  sin 2  
 m       
2  2 
Vm  sin 2 
       
2   2 
Single-phase Half-wave Rectifier with R-load
The RMS value of load current can be calculated by
dividing the rms load voltage by resistance R. This
means,
RMS Load Current I0rms= RMS Load Voltage / R

Input volt ampere (VA)in can be calculated as

Input Volt Ampere
= (RMS Supply Voltage) x (RMS Load Current)
= VsxI0rms

Maximum average (dc) o/p voltage is obtained when   0

Vm Vm
and the maximum dc output voltage, Vdc max   Vdm  1  cos 0  
2 
Vo ( dc ) Vm Vm 1
Vdcn   1  cos   /  1  cos  
Vdm 2  2
Output voltage of Single-phase Half-wave Rectifier with R-load
Output voltage of Single-phase Half-wave Rectifier with R-load

Vdm
VO(dc)
VO ( dc )  1  cos  
2
Vdm 1
Vdcn  1  cos  
2
0.6Vdm

0.2 Vdm

0 60 120 180
Trigger angle in degrees
Single-phase Half-wave Rectifier with R-L load

When the thyristor T is fired at ωt =

α, load voltage equal to the source
voltage instantaneously. Once the
thyristor is gated, it stars conducting.

However, the current does not start at this instant of firing. Since, the load is inductive,
it will not allow any sudden change and will gradually increases. At ωt = π, the load
voltage Vo reduces to zero. However, the load current will not be zero at this instant
and thyristor will be turn off at ωt = β.
Single-phase Half-wave Rectifier with R-L load
After ωt = β, vo = 0 and io = 0. At ωt =
(2π+α), the SCR is triggered again, vo is
applied to the load and load current
develops as discussed before. The angle β
where the load current becomes zero is
called an extinction angle and the angle (β-
α) for which thyristor is ON is
called conduction angle.

The SCR is reverse biased from ωt = β to ωt

= 2π. During this period, the current through
thyristor is also zero. Therefore, circuit turn
off time is tc = [(2π – β) / ω] second. This
time must be greater than the thyristor turn-
off time otherwise thyristor may turn on at
undesired instant and will lead to
commutation failure.
Calculation of Steady Load Current:
Steady state load current for single phase half wave
controlled rectifier is given as:

Calculation of Average Load Voltage and Current:

The average value of any function f(x) is given as:

The average voltage of this controlled rectifier with

RL load may be calculated as:
1) Average load current:
The DC or average load current can be
calculated by dividing the average load voltage
by the circuit resistance.
Therefore, average load current of single-phase
half-wave controlled rectifier is given as:

2) RMS Load Voltage:

RMS load voltage of single-phase half-wave
controlled rectifier is given as:
 2  
1
2
1  
 0 vO .d t   2  Vm sin t.d t     0.d (t )
2 2 2
VO RMS 
2  
Vm  1 
         sin 2  sin 2   
2   2 
Performance related parameters for a single-phase half
controlled rectifier for R-load for    / 2
Vm
Vdc  RF  (1  cos  )  0.1592Vm for    / 2
2
Vm 1  sin 2 
VRMS        0.3536Vm for    / 2
2   2 
V( RMS )
FF   2.221
V( dc )
2
V 2
( RMS ) V 2
( dc )  V( RMS ) 
rv  RF     1  1.983
V( dc )  V( dc )
 
 0.1592Vm  / R
2
P( dc )V /R 2
TUF   dc
  0.1014
 
Vs Is Vs I Load ,rms Vm / 2  0.3536Vm / R 
Single-phase Half-wave Rectifier under highly
inductive load with Freewheeling Diode:
For Large Load Inductance the load current does not reach
zero, & we obtain continuous load current
Single-phase Half-wave Rectifier under inductive load with
Freewheeling Diode:
vS
Supply voltage

0    t


iG
Gate pulses
T
i0
0 t +

V
+ R
iO
 Load current
Vs

~ FWD

L
t=

0 t
  2

vO
Load voltage

0    t

Single-phase Half-wave Rectifier under small inductive load
with Freewheeling Diode:
During the period  to  the load current is carried by the SCR.
During the period  to  load current is carried by the free wheeling diode.
The value of  depends on the value of R and L and the forward resistance
of the FWD.
The average output voltage
Vm
Vdc  1  cos   which is the same as that
2
of a purely resistive load.
The following points are to be noted
For low value of inductance, the load current
tends to become discontinuous.
 Single-Phase
Full-Wave Controlled Rectifier Using A
Center Tapped Transformer

(Discontinuous Conduction Mode)

       
I. Single-phase full-wave Rectifier for RL load without FWD:

Operation under Discontinuous Load Current without

FWD for        
vO Vm

T1
A
T1 T2
+ t
vO 0
R L

AC O
Supply
iO

T2


B T1 T2 t
0 
  
() ()
Operation under Discontinuous Load Current without FWD
1
 vO Vm
VO dc   Vdc   v .d  t 
  
t
O
T1 T2

1  0
VO dc   Vdc    Vm sin  t.d  t   
   iO


Vm   
VO dc   Vdc    cos  t 
    T1 T2
0 
V  
VO dc   Vdc  m  cos   cos   () ()

Vm Vm
For R-load (L=0) VO dc   cos  cos   1 cos 
 

1 2 2 
 V sin t.d t  
  m
When the load inductance is negligible VO RMS  

 L  0  , extinction angle    radians
Vm 1 sin 2  sin 2  
Hence, 1) average and       
2  2 
2) RMS voltage for R load (   )
Vm 1 sin 2 
      , as  = , sin2 =0
2  2 
II. Single-phase full-wave Rectifier for RL load with FWD:

Operation under Discontinuous Load Current with FWD

T1
vO Vm
A
+
vO T1 T2 t
L 0
AC O
R 
Supply
iO

T2 
D D
B T1 T2 t
0 
  
() ()
Inductive load under discontinuous
operatios: for        
Operation under Discontinuous Load Current with FWD
1) Thyristor T1 is triggered vO Vm

at t   ; and conducts
T1 T2 t
from t   to  . 0

2) FWD is conduct for a
iO
small period  to  . 

3) Thyristor T2 is triggered D D
T1 T2 t
at t      and conducts 0
   

from t      to 2 () ()

4)Again FWD conducts from t  2 to  +

During discontinuous load current, vO  0 .

 Operation under Discontinuous Load Current with FWD
1) Average output voltage: vO Vm

1
VO dc  Vdc   vO .d t 
  t 0 T1 T2 t

1 0
 VO dc  Vdc 
  Vm sin t.d t 



iO
V    
VO dc  Vdc  m   cos  t  
   D D
T1
t
V 0 T2
VO dc  Vdc  m   cos   cos   ; cos   1    
 () ()
Vm
 VO dc  Vdc  1  cos 


2) RMS output voltage: 1 2 2 
 
  m
VO RMS    V sin  t .d  t
(Same as R-load) 
Vm 1  sin 2 
      
2  2 
Single-phase full-wave Rectifier under RL-load with FWD:

 The load current is discontinuous for low

values of load inductance and for large
values of trigger angles.
 However, for large values of load inductance
the load current flows continuously without
falling to zero.
 Thus, the load current may be continuous for
large load inductance and for low value of
trigger angles.
 Single-Phase
Full-Wave Controlled Rectifier Using A
Center Tapped Transformer
(Continuous Conduction Mode Due to
highly Inductive load)
I. Single-phase full-wave Rectifier under RL-load without FWD:

vO Vm

T1 T2
t
T1
0
A
+
vO
iO
R L
AC O
Supply    

T2 T2
T1 t
B
0
   
() ()
Single-phase full-wave Rectifier under RL-load without FWD:
1) Average Output Voltage: v Vm
O
     
1 1 
T2
vO .d t     Vm sin t.d t  
  
VO dc   Vdc  T1 t
t
    0

    
Vm  Vm iO
   cos  t   cos   cos      ;
   
    

V 2V t
VO dc   Vdc  m  cos   cos    m cos  0
 
   
() ()
2) RMS Output Voltage:
2 
 
 2
 
1  cos 2t  .d t
   
2    V
VO RMS    V 2
sin 2
 t .d  t   2

2
m m
 2

Vm2    
 Vm 1   
 sin 2t 
 

 d t    cos 2t.d t    t 
2  
   
  2     2   
Vm 1   sin(2  2 )  sin 2   Vm
   
2  2  2
Single-phase full-wave Rectifier under RL-load without FWD:

Vdc  Vdm  cos 

Single-phase full-wave Rectifier under RL-load without FWD:
Control characteristic of a single phase full-wave controlled
rectifier with RL load for continuous load current operation
without FWD
Vdc  Vdm  cos 
VO(dc)

Vdm

0.6Vdm

0.2 Vdm

0
30 60 90 120 150 180
-0.2Vdm

-0.6 Vdm

-Vdm
Trigger angle in degrees
Single-phase full-wave Rectifier under RL-load without FWD:
Vdc  Vdm  cos 
By varying the trigger angle we can vary the
output dc voltage across the load. Hence we can
control the dc output power flow to the load.
For trigger angle  , 0 to 90 0
 i.e., 0    90  ;
0

cos  is positive and hence Vdc is positive

Vdc & I dc are positive ; Pdc  Vdc  I dc  is positive
Converter operates as a Controlled Rectifier.
Power flow is from the ac source to the load.
Single-phase full-wave Rectifier under RL-load without FWD:
For trigger angle  , 90 0 to 180 0
 i .e., 90 0
   180 0
,
cos  is negative and hence Vdc  Vdm  cos 
Vdc is negative; I dc is positive ;
Pdc  Vdc  I dc  is negative.
In this case the conve rter operates
as a Line Co mmutated In ve rter.
Power flows from the load ckt. to the i/p ac source.
The inductive load energy is fed back to the
i/p sou rce.
Drawbacks Of Full-Wave Controlled Rectifier
With Centre Tapped Transformer

 We require a center-tapped transformer which

is quite heavier and bulky.
 Cost of the transformer is higher for the
required dc output voltage & output power.
 Hence full-wave bridge converters are
preferred.
 Single-Phase
Full-Wave Bridge-Controlled
Rectifier
Single-phase full-wave Bridge Rectifier under RL-load
without FWD:

 Two types of Full-wave Bridge Controlled Rectifiers

are
 Half-Controlled Bridge Converter
(Semi-Converter)
 Fully Controlled Bridge Converter
(Full-Converter)
 The bridge-type full wave controlled rectifier does not
require a center-tapped transformer and hence very
popular
 Single Phase
Full-Wave Half-Controlled Bridge Converter
(Single-Phase Semi-Converter)
1) Half-Controlled Bridge-Converter (Semi-Converter)
for a constant current load (RLE load) with FWD

The load current is assumed continuous and ripple free,

which may conduct the combinations of thyristor and diodes
or FWD.
Waveforms of single-phase semi-converter for constant load
current with FWD for  > 900

Single Quadrant
Operation
Waveforms of single-phase semi-converter for constant load
current with FWD for  > 900
Trigger Pattern of Thyristors T1

Thyristor T1 is triggered at T2

t   , at t   2    ,... D1
Thyristor T2 is triggered at D2
t      , at t   3    ,...
T1
The time delay between the gating T2
signals of T1 &T2   rad or 1800
FWD is conducting for the period of
0 to α, π to π+α, .... Dm Dm
2) Half-Controlled Bridge-Converter (Semi-Converter) for a
highly inductive load (RLE load) with FWD
Waveforms of output voltage and current for highly
inductive load current with FWD for  < 900
vO Vm

T1 T2
D2 D1 t
0


iO
  
T1 T2
D2 Dm D1 Dm t
0
   
() ()
Operation under continuous Load Current with FWD
vO Vm
1) Average output voltage:
1
 T1 T2
vO .d t 
 t0
VO dc  Vdc  D2 D1 t
0
 
1
 VO dc  Vdc   V sin t.d t 
 m
iO

Vm  
   
VO dc  Vdc    cos  t 
   T1 T2
D2 Dm D1 Dm t
V
VO dc  Vdc  m   cos   cos   ; cos   1 0    
 () ()
Vm
 VO dc  Vdc  1  cos 


2) RMS output voltage: 1 2 2 
 V sin t.d  t  
  m
VO RMS  
(Same as full-controlled 
rectifier(center-tap) Vm 1 sin 2 
      
with FWD) 2  2 
Operation under continuous Load Current with FWD
Vdc can be varied from a max.
2Vm
value of to 0 by varying  from 0 to  .
 Vdm
For   0, The max. dc o/p voltage obtained is VO ( dc )  1  cos  
2
2Vm 1
Vdc max   Vdm  VO(dc) Vdcn  1  cos  
 Vdm 2
Normalized dc o/p voltage is
Vm
Vdc 1  cos   0.6Vdm
Vdcn  Vn   
Vdm  2Vm 
 
   0.2 Vdm

1
Vdcn  1  cos   0 60 120 180
2 Trigger angle  in degrees
Performance Parameters of Semi-converter under inductive load
with FWD for    / 2
Vm
Vdc  RF  (1  cos  )  0.3183Vm for    / 2

Vm 1 sin 2 
VRMS        0.4999Vm for    / 2
2  2 
V( RMS )
FF  1.57
V( dc )
2
V 2
( RMS ) V 2
( dc )  V( RMS ) 
rv  RF     1  1.211
V( dc )  V( dc )
 

 0.3183Vm  / R
2
P( dc )
V /R 2
TUF    dc
 0.2865

Vs Is Vs I Load Vm / 2  0.4999Vm / R  
 Single-Phase Full-Wave
Full-Bridge Converter
(Fully Controlled Bridge Converter)
With RLE Load
Single-phase Full-bridge converter for RLE load without
FWD
Waveforms of full-bridge Converter operating under continuous
Load Current (RLE load) without FWD

T1 T3
T2 T4
Waveforms of full-bridge Converter operating under constant
Load Current (RLE load) without FWD

iO Constant Load Current

iO=Ia
Ia
t
 
iT1 Ia Ia
T1 & iT2
T2 T1 T2 T1 T2 t
  
T3
T4 iT3 Ia
& iT4 T3 T4 T3 T4 t
  
Single-phase full-wave Rectifier under RLE-load without FWD:
1) Average Output Voltage:
 
2  
VO dc   Vdc    Vm sin t.d t  
2   
2Vm 2Vm
  cos t  
 
 cos 
2 
2) RMS Output Voltage:
2 
 
 2
 
1  cos 2t  .d t
   
2   
VO RMS    V 2
sin 2
 t .d  t  Vm2
2
m
  2
   
Vm2   Vm 1   
 sin 2t 
 

   d t    cos 2t.d t    t    
2     2    2   


Vm 1
 
 sin(2  2 )  sin 2    Vm
 
2  2  2
Single-phase full-wave Rectifier under RLE-load without FWD:
Thyristor current: I O  RMS 
The rms thyristor current can be calculated as, IT  RMS  
2
I O dc 
The average thyristor current can be calculated as, IT  Avg  
2
Normalized voltage:
The normalized average output voltage is given by
VO dc  Vdc
Vdcn  Vn  
Vdc max  Vdm
2Vm
cos 
Vdcn  Vn    cos 
2Vm

Single-phase full-wave Rectifier under RLE-load without FWD:

VO ( dc )  Vdm cos 
Vdcn  cos 
Transfer Characteristics of Single-phase full-wave Rectifier
under RLE-load without FWD: VO ( dc )  Vdm cos 
VO(dc) Vdcn  cos 
Vdm

0.6Vdm

0.2 Vdm

0
30 60 90 120 150 180
-0.2Vdm

-0.6 Vdm

-Vdm
Trigger angle in degrees
Single-phase full-wave Rectifier under RLE-load without FWD:

Two Quadrant Operation

0< < 900
Controlled
Rectifier
Operation

900< <1800
Line Commutated
Inverter Operation
Single-phase full-wave Rectifier under RLE-load without FWD:
 During the period from t =  to  the input voltage vS and the
input current iS are both positive and the power flows from the
supply to the load.
 The converter is said to be operated in the rectification mode
Controlled Rectifier Operation
for 0 <  < 900
• During the period from t =  to (+), the input voltage vS
is negative and the input current iS is positive and the output
power becomes negative and there will be reverse power flow
from the load circuit to the supply.
• The converter is said to be operated in the inversion mode.
Line Commutated Inverter Operation
for 900 <  < 1800
Performance Parameters Of Single-phase Full-bridge Controlled
Rectifiers having continuous load current for    / 4
2Vm
V( dc )  RF  cos   0.636Vm for    / 4

Vm
V( RMS )   0.707Vm for any 
2
V( RMS )
FF  1.11
V( dc )
2
V 2
( RMS ) V 2
( dc )  V( RMS ) 
rv  RF     1  0.486
V( dc )  V( dc )
 

 0.636Vm  / R
2
P( dc )
V /R 2
TUF   dc
  0.8089

Vs Is Vs I Load Vm / 2  0.707Vm / R  
The rms thyristor current can be
I O RMS 
calculated as IT  RMS  
2
The average thyristor current can be
I O dc 
calculated as IT  Avg  
2
 Single-Phase Dual Converter

(Two Full-bridge converters connected

back-to-back)
Single Phase Dual Converter using full-bridge converters
Single Phase Dual Converter using full-bridge converters
The average dc output voltage of
2Vm
converter 1 is: Vdc1  cos 1

The average dc output voltage of
2Vm
converter 2 is: Vdc 2  cos  2

In the dual converter operation, one converter (say converter-1)
is operated as a controlled rectifier with   900.
The second converter is operated as a line commutated
inverter in the inversion mode with   900
2Vm 2Vm 2Vm
Vdc1  Vdc 2 or, cos 1  cos  2    cos  2 
  
cos 1   cos  2 or cos  2   cos 1  cos   1 
  2    1  or
1   2    radians
Which gives
 2     1 
 vO1, vO2 =Instantaneous o/p voltage of
converter 1 and 2.
 The circulating current ir can be determined
by integrating the instantaneous voltage  1 t
difference (which is the voltage drop across
2 1
the circulating current limiting reactor Lr),
starting from t = (2 - 1).
 As the two average output voltages during the
interval t = (+1) to (2 - 1) are equal
and opposite their contribution to the
instantaneous circulating current ir is zero.
Ripple current of Single Phase Dual Converter
1  t 
ir    vr .d t   ; vr   vO1  vO 2 
 Lr  2 1  
As the o/p voltage vO 2 is negative, so, vr   vO1  vO 2 

1  t 
 ir     vO1  vO 2  .d t   ;
 Lr  2 1  
As vO1  Vm sin t for  2  1  to t

Vm  t t 
ir     sin t.d t    sin t.d t  
 Lr   2 1   2 1  
2Vm
ir   cos t  cos 1 
 Lr
The instantaneous value of the circulating current depends on the delay angle.
Current through the Single Phase Dual Converter with
circulating current

For trigger angle 1  0, the magnitude of circulating current

becomes minimum when t  n , n  0, 2, 4,....
Similarly, the magnitude becomes maximum
when t  n , n  1,3,5,....
For a peak load current is I p , one of the converters that controls
 4Vm 
the power flow may carry a peak current of  I p  ,
  Lr 
Vm 4Vm
where, I p  I L max   , and ir  max    max. circulating current
RL  Lr
 Mode of Operation

1) Non-circulating current (circulating current free)

mode of operation.
2) Circulating current mode of operation.
1) Non-Circulating Current Mode of Operation
In this mode only one converter is operated at a time by suitable gate
pulses.
 When converter 1 is ON for the duration 0 < 1 < 900
 Output, Vdc & Idc both are positive.
 When converter 2 is ON 0 < 2 < 900
 Output Vdc and Idc both are negative.
1) Circulating Current Mode Of Operation
 In this mode, both the converters are switched ON and operated
at the same time.
 The trigger angles 1 and 2 are adjusted
such that (1 + 2) = 1800 ; 2 = (1800 - 1).
 When 0 <1 <900, converter 1 operates as a controlled rectifier
and converter 2 operates as an inverter with 900 <2<1800.
 In this case Vdc and Idc, both are positive.
 When 900 <1 <1800, converter 1 operates as an Inverter and
converter 2 operated as a controlled rectifier by adjusting its
trigger angle 2 such that 0 <2<900.
 In this case Vdc and Idc, both are negative.
Advantages of Circulating Current Mode Of Operation

 The circulating current maintains continuous conduction of

both the converters over the complete control range,
independent of the load.
 One converter always operates as a rectifier and the other
converter operates as an inverter, the power flow in either
direction at any time is possible.
 As both the converters are in continuous conduction we obtain
faster dynamic response. i.e., the time response for changing
from one quadrant operation to another is faster.
 Disadvantages of Circulating Current Mode Of
Operation
 There is always a circulating current flowing
between the converters.
 When the load current falls to zero, there will
be a circulating current flowing between the
converters so we need to connect circulating
current reactors in order to limit the peak
circulating current to safe level.
 The converter thyristors should be rated to
carry a peak current much greater than the
peak load current.
Four Quadrant Operation Using Dual Converter

Conv. 2 Conv. 1
Inverting Rectifying
2 > 900 1 < 900

Conv. 2 Conv. 1
Rectifying Inverting
2 < 900 1 > 900