Study of AC and DC Converter

I. Introduction
At present time there is an increasing demand for efficient systems every time we communicate approximately
electricity consumptions and so as to keep up with those needs engineers were coming forward growing
efficient conversion strategies and additionally been capable of design circuits with excessive performance.
Nevertheless, technology on this discipline remains improving with facing new demanding situations. Converter
in power electronics converts power from one type to another by means of various the voltage or frequency.
Power conversion is based on kind of the input and output power. Converter driven programs are broadly used.
The electrical power conversion is an exceptional field of electrical engineering. The Power electronics is the
utilization of solid-state gadgets to control of electric power and transformation of electric power. It is also
restrictive as it excludes rotating machines (electrical motor and generator) . Converter may do one or more
functions and give an output that varies from the input. The converters are used to increase or decrease the
magnitude of the input voltage, invert polarity or produce several output voltages of either the same polarity
with the input, different polarity, or mixed polarities. The converters are used in nonlinear components. For
example, the semiconductor switches, and linear reactive components. There are different types of linear
components such as the inductors, transformers and capacitors for intermediate energy storage as well as
current and voltage filtering. The size, weight and cost of the converter are mainly determined by these
components. However, power conversion systems can be classified according to whether the input and output
are alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) [2,3]. Alternative current (AC) to Direct current (DC) is one of
those heavily used conversion in power electronics system. For instance, a laptop battery adapter is the example
of the AC to DC conversion. Here, adapter ‘s input current is AC and output current is DC. The reason behind for
using the constant DC voltage is that it is free of ripples or unwanted frequencies. The DC circuit is formed in
such a way that the rectification and filtering process will be carriedout properly. If the supply of DC voltage is
not constant, a laptop cannot be charged properly. The main feature of the rectifier is it must handle the output
current (load). After that, we connect the output of rectifier to the filter. As we know, filter is nothing but a
device, which filters out the ripples in the unidirectional ac voltage and converts it back to pure dc voltage.
There are two kinds of filter used in the circuit, inductor and capacitor. Capacitors are the widely used filters.
But instead of giving less value if we increase the value of capacitor some circuit, we can get voltage greater
than or equal to the dc output voltage (that must be same of transformer output voltage) so that you'll get a
pure dc output without any ripples. Theoretically, it is recommended to use a high voltage capacitor (like 150%
of output voltage) to get less ripple and a smooth graph. We try to add a couple of capacitors to get our desired
output dc voltage lesser than the transformer output voltage, that is why we will connect a voltage regulator
next to the capacitor [3]. We are using 230V/50Hz AC supply which connect to step-down transformer which will
step down and give a DC voltage depending on transformer rating that connect rectifier circuit, whichconverts
from AC to pulsating DC after that connect Capacitor (filter). Afterwards it converts pulsating AC to pure DC. In
order to get constant DC, we need to connect regulator IC - LM7812that maintains the output voltage at a
constant value. We are using LM7812 IC, which provides +12 volts regulated power supply. In addition, we try to
collect the different changing value for changing the AC voltage and will try to simulate the output waveform.
Background Study
The transmission of electric power is in an alternating current (AC) system, with a few exceptions. With the
advancement of alternating to direct current converters, they are becoming a recognized and widely used
application. As a result, ac dc converter has recently framed a functional research domain. The need for DC
power might be supplemental, such as in electronic controls, or critical, such as the DC connection of a motor.
Meanwhile, governing authorities, such as IEC 1000, Std 500, and others, maintain rigorous harmonics
guidelines. This is due to the requirement for a strong factor and minimal line current harmonics distortion.To
change line frequency from ac to dc, a line frequency diode bridge rectifier is utilized. A large filter capacitor is
utilized at the rectifier output to diminish the ripple in the output voltage. In any case, current drawn by this
converter is peaky by characteristics for the larger capacitor. This input current is high in low order harmonics
and because of the existence of these harmonics, the aggregate harmonic distortion is high and the input control
factor is denied. Issues related with these low power factors also, harmonics, utilities will authorize harmonic
standards and rules which will constrain the measure of current distortion permitted into the utility. It is greatly
required to accomplishing rectification at near utility powefactor and low input current distortion .

Theory & Methodology

AC-DC converters are electrical circuits that transform alternating current (AC) input into direct current (DC)
output. They are used in power electronic applications where the power input a 50Hz or 60Hz sine-wave AC
voltage that requires power conversion for a DC output. We utilize control electronic converters in our day-by-
day life at home, business work places or in a mechanical situation. Converters have become an integrated part
of industrial electric drives, power supplies and other automobile equipment’s due to high power handling
capability with higher efficiency. Power electronic components such as, Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCRs) [or
Thyristor], Triode for Alternating Current (TRIACs), Insulated Gate Bi-polar Transistor (IGBT) are used for power
electronic converters to control and change over electric power. The principle point of the converter is to deliver
moulding power regarding a specific applicationThe block diagram of a power electronic converter shows that it
contains an electrical energy source, power electronic circuit, a control circuit and a load circuit. This converter
changes one form of electrical energy to another. Commercially available voltages are time varying voltages
used in large quantities. Alternating current (AC) is the electric current which periodically reverses the flow of
direction. Commercially a variable AC wave forms are Sinusoidal, Square wave,Complex wave form and
Triangular wave .
Fig.2: Alternating waveforms.
We are interested in Sinusoidal ac voltage since it is encountered and utilized all over the world. The process of
converting AC current to DC current is also known as rectification. We utilize alternating current in our house,
but we cannot always use alternating current everywhere.Sometimes we need to convert this to a direct current
source. That is why correction is required. The term "rectifier" refers to an AC to DC converter. The circuit
converts an alternating current signal to a direct current signal by allowing the signal to flow in just one
direction. Filters are used to smooth down the output even further.

Some examples of AC-DC converters are:

1) AC/DC converters (off-line) 3ph-Input/3KW

2) AC/DC converter (off-line) as insert unit

3) AC/DC converters (off-line) with 3 outputs, pen frame

4) AC/DC converters (off-line) as Build-In- Unit 6HE

5) AC/DC converters (rectifier) for Telecom Application

Basic Principles
The block diagram of a basic AC-DC converter is given below.

Fig.3: Block diagram of an AC-to-DC converter.

To bias all electronic circuits, a DC power source is necessary. Depending on the electronic application, the DC
output Vo will typically be in the 3-24V range. The diode is highly beneficial in this case since the properties of a
silicon diode are non-linear, which means that current occurs for one voltage polarity but is zero for the
opposite polarity.There are several methods for correction. We'll go through them all afterwards. The simplest
power electronics circuit used in radios for low-cost power supply is the halfwave rectifier. However, for most
power applications, half wave rectification is inadequate. Because the waveform's harmonic richness is so high,
filtering the output is extremely challenging. The essential ideas of this rectifier are fairly simple to grasp. Let's
look at the fundamentals of a half-wave rectifier.

Half Wave Rectifier

During each positive half cycle of the sine wave, the diode is forward biased as the anode is positive so the
current flows through the diode. The diode is in reverse biased during the negativehalf cycle which blocks the
current flow. This way all positive half cycle waveforms are made unidirectional. Using a capacitor parallel to the
load the amount of ripple voltage can be reduced and a steady current is produced.
 Full Wave Rectification
The full wave rectification uses both positive and negative half cycles of the sine wave. In case of full wave
rectification, two diodes are used of which one conducts during the positive half cycle and the other conducts
during the negative half cycle. The important point is that the current through the load flows in the same
direction thus the output is unidirectional. Turning on a diode depends on the polarity of the cathode voltage
and turning it off depends on the device current. Three terminal devices such as Thyristor, BJT and MOSFET etc.
can be used to control the output voltage. The conversion of AC-DC will take place when input is an AC supply
and the output is aDC load for example battery charging, DC motor, electrolysis, electromagnets etc. In
designing a rectifier, two important parameters must be specified: the current handling capability and the Peak
Inverse Voltage (PIV) the diode must withstand without breakdown. PIV is specified by the manufacturer .

Layout Design

Software: Proteus 8 Professional

There is various way of getting AC to DC voltage converter. We can use power electronic converters such as step-
down converter, step-up converter, voltage stabilizer, AC to DC converter, DC to DC converter, DC to AC
converter. Here, we are doing analysis by using Single Phase Transformer with Full Bridge Rectifier.

Fig.4: Circuit Diagram of AC voltage as input with output of Full Bridge rectifier.

Fig.5: PCB Layout of the circuit

CREATING THE PCB LAYOUT

Open your PCB Layout in the top icon section, and click on the PCB Layout button:
The footprints associated with each schematic symbol will be automatically transferred to the PCB editor using
auto placer option:

Fig.7: PCB layout Manual RoutingNotice the thin blue lines connecting the components. These are called ratsnest
lines. Ratsnest lines are virtual wires that represent the connections between components. They show you
where you need to route the traces according to the wiring connections you created in your schematic:Results

From the circuit diagram shown in Fig 4,

we give an AC source where AC voltage is given 220V and Frequency is 50Hz. Here, a transformer is attached
with AC source which will transform 220v and make it a low voltage AC wave as AC voltage has positive (+Ve)
and negative (-Ve) terminals. Here, after step down to a smaller voltage we need to stop polarity changes. To
make electrons pass only in one direction we need diodes. Here we are using 4 diodes as a bridge so that a
positive and negative cycle will convert into a positive cycle where lower waves are lifted and make the wave as
one directional.

From Fig 14 we can see the output result of the sinusoidal wave when attached with a Full Bridge Rectifier.

Fig.13: Simulation Graph of AC voltage as input with

output of Full Bridge rectifier.

Fig.14: Circuit Diagram of AC voltage as input with output of DC voltageNow, adding capacitor of higher value so
that it can store charge. Here we are using Capacitors C1=470 µF and C2=220 µF. We can see that AC voltage
come from the transformer as a sinusoidal wave, after that rectifier flips the negative half cycle into positive.
Then with the help of capacitor the become smoother. Adding more capacitor, we can get smoother DC voltage.
From

Fig 15. We can see the DC output which is almost straight with the help of capacitors.From the circuit diagram,
we can see the input from AC voltage coming from transformer and the output is from DC voltage source. A
capacitor C3= 470 µF is attached to store charge. Here we use oscilloscope for measuring the graph of AC input
and DC output. We get output of DC voltage= +12V.

Fig.15: Simulations Graph of AC voltage as input with output of DC voltage.Actually, line voltage is always
presented. Filter capacitor fills those gaps as they don't get discharge very fast. It’s smoothly generating DC.
When the first DC wave comes up capacitor getcharged and wave comes to zero instantly but capacitor
discharge slowly, then output line voltage is seen. As the capacitors don't get discharge very fast so capacitor
fills those gaps which smoothly generates DC. Now if we want to make it straighter then we have to add more
voltage regulator. This can be done by a zener diode also. Zener diode act as same as diode but it has a
condition, limitation at a specific voltage. Here we are changing ac voltage to get our desired output. We get our
dc voltage 11.95V when ac voltage is 220V.Here, we can see that we get almost our desired 12V output
voltage.So, we can claim that our project is running properly.Total Cost[Estimated total cost associated with this
project is around 600 Taka]Timeline

Discussion and Conclusion

AC to DC convert by using full bridge rectifierwith different combination of load and observed the DC outcomes
through simulations. We also studied about different types and application of AC-DC converters, keeping our
main focus on single phase with full bridge rectifier converter circuits. We gained vast knowledge about
 PROTEUS software during the project, where we carried out all our circuit construction and simulation
respectively. The main function is to have a good conversion voltage from AC to DC, for that reason where we
are using full bridge rectifier instead of normal diodes attaching or Zener diode. As we know Zener diode have
limitation so when it reaches to that limitation it become bi-directional although it doesn’t need voltage
regulator but it will make bi-directional wave up to a limit. That is why we used full bridge rectifier and a voltage
regulator to make a simple conversion. Besides, for better results we can use a voltage regulator chip or
U0001f3a9 like 7805, 7812, 7905, 7912 to obtain a constant voltage (both positive and negative are possible). In
Bangladesh the supply is 220Volts in 50Hz for households. We get 11.94V as DC output when we apply 220V as
AC input.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We are extremely grateful to our course instructor, NUZAT NUARY ALAM Mam, for her capable direction; smart
supervision and motivation that helped us to complete this project. Without her constant help, this proposition
would not have been conceivable.

REFERENCES

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Journal of Engineering (IOSRJEN), Volume 2, Issue 11, PP 06-11, November 2012. [4] Boylestad, R., Nashelsky, L.
(1998).Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory.New Jersey, U.S.A:PrenticeHall [5] Neamen. D.A.(1905). Electronic
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