Reactance Influence on 6-Phase Rectifiers

R. L. W I T Z K E V. K R E S S E R J. K. D I L L A R D
FELLOW AIEE MEMBER AIEE ASSOCIATE MEMBER AIEE

C ONVENTIONAL METHODS OF calculating recti­

fier voltage regulation are valid only if the angle of
overlap is less than 360 degrees divided by the number of
Figure 3 (right). Laboratory
waveshapes for a = 30 degrees,
u = 9 0 degrees

phases. With larger overlap angles, any a-c reactance

common to two or more simple rectifiers introduces an
(a)
(b)
Line-to-line voltage
Line-to-line and anode-to-cathode
voltages
4-^4/ * ^
angle of inherent delay, even though the rectifiers are
(c) Anode-to-cathode voltage and
operated without phase control. This inherent delay anode current
reduces the direct voltage and, therefore, increases the (a)
voltage regulation.
Included is a curve for estimating voltage regulation of voltage (Ed/Ed0) is plotted
6-phase double-way and double-Y rectifiers. Defining against reactance factors in
1(XJES as the reactance factor based on commutated Figure 1. The curve applies
direct current, the ratio of direct voltage to no-load direct to both double-way and
double-Y circuits provided
that, in the case of the double-
I.UU1
Y circuit, leakage reactance
between secondaries is negli­ (b)

gible. Based on the load cir­

cuit being predominantly in­
ductive, there are three modes
s
X »

> of operation as load current is

ÜJ
increased from zero to short-
ÜJ
0.40
X
circuit value. In the first
X ^
mode of operation the corn-
x^ mutating angle (u) increases
from zero to 60 degrees.
X
During the second mode the
0
0.20 Q40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60
commutating angle is fixed at 60 degrees, but the start of
IcXc/Es commutation is delayed by an inherent delay angle (a)
which varies from zero to 30 degrees as load current is
Figure 1. Voltage regulation curve for 6-phase rectifier showing
increased. The inherent delay angle does not increase
laboratory data
during the third mode as the commutating angle increases
to 120 degrees at short circuit. Commutating angle and
inherent delay angle are plotted against reactance factors
120
V6/4
1
3\Z£/4
1 vr in Figure 2.
Calculated values of Ed/Edo were substantiated by
100 laboratory data taken from a model rectifier on the analogue
computer. In Figure 1 the laboratory points are indicated
z
lo
by crosses and laboratory data corrected for resistance drop
80
in the circuit are indicated by circles. Oscillograms taken
70
1°
on the analogue computer during the third mode of opera­
60
ccMMUTATW G AN6LE (u)/ j»- tion are shown in Figure 3. Figure 3a shows the oscillo­
|o
50 scope calibration, line-to-line voltage at no load, and a line-
1 1
ji- to-line voltage for 30 degrees inherent delay with approxi­
40
OELAY itNGL E (00 Ito
X mately 90 degrees overlap. The oscilloscope was adjusted
30
/ to make one time division equal to approximately 36 de­
/ grees and this calibration was maintained for all pictures.
10
Digest of paper 53-54, "Influence of A-C Reactance on Voltage Regulation of 6-Phase
0 Rectifiers," recommended by the AIEE Committee on Electronic Power Converters
0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 and approved by the AIEE Committee on Technical Operations for presentation at the
AIEE Winter General Meeting, N e w York, N . Y., January 19-23, 1953. Scheduled
I C Xc/E 8 for publication in AIEE Transactions, volume 72, 1953.
R. L. Witzke and J . K. Dillard are with the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East
Figure 2. Commutating angle and forced delay angle in 6-phase Pittsburgh, Pa., and J . V . Kress er is with the Westinghouse Electric Corporation,
bridge rectifier San Francisco, Calif.

AUGUST 1953 Witzke, Kresser, Dillard—Reactance Influence 689