POWER ELECTRONIC LAB 2023

POWER ELECTRONIC LAB (EE-381L)

(Fall 2023)

Lab No: 06

Lab Title: Three Phase Controlled Rectifiers

Submitted By:
Name: UMAR DARAZ
Registration No: 215010

Submitted To:
Engr. Mazhar Iqbal

Department of Electrical Engineering

Air University - Aerospace and Aviation Campus,
Kamra
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EXPERIMENT NO 6:
Three Phase Controlled Rectifiers
OBJECTIVE:
 To analyze the working and performance of a 3-phase half wave controlled rectifier.
 To analyze the working and performance of a 3-phase full wave controlled rectifier.
 Observe the effect of inductive load on working of a controlled rectifier.
 Observe the effect of freewheeling diode on working of an controlled rectifier
 To analyze the working and performance of a full bridge in inverter mode.
THEORY:
Single phase half controlled bridge converters & fully controlled bridge converters are
used extensively in industrial applications up to about 15kW of output power. The single
2𝑉𝑚
phase controlled rectifiers provide a maximum dc output of 𝑉𝐷𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜋 .
The output ripple frequency is equal to the twice the ac supply frequency. The single
Phase full wave controlled rectifiers provide two output pulses during every input supply
cycle and hence are referred to as two pulse converters. Three phase converters are
3-phase controlled rectifiers which are used to convert ac input power supply into dc
output power across the load.
Features of 3-phase controlled rectifiers are
 Operate from 3 phase ac supply voltage.
 They provide higher dc output voltage and higher dc output power.
 Higher output voltage ripple frequency.
 Filtering requirements are simplified for smoothing out load voltage and load
current
 Three phase controlled rectifiers are extensively used in high power variable
speed industrial dc drives.

3- PHASE HALF WAVE CONVERTER

Three single phase half-wave converters are connected together to form a three phase
half-wave converter as shown in the figure 1.

Figure 1 Three phase half wave rectifier

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The 3-phase half wave converter combines three single phase half wave controlled
rectifiers in one single circuit feeding a common load. The thyristor T1 in series with one
of the supply phase windings ‘a - n’ acts as one half wave controlled rectifier. The
second thyristor T2 in series with the supply phase winding ‘b - n’ acts as the second
half wave controlled rectifier. The third thyristor T3 in series with the supply phase
winding ‘c - n’ acts as the third half wave controlled rectifier.
The 3-phase input supply is applied through the star connected supply transformer as
shown in the figure. The common neutral point of the supply is connected to one end of
the load while the other end of the load connected to the common cathode point.
When the thyristor T1 is triggered at 𝜔 = (𝜋/6 + 𝛼) = (300 + 𝛼), the phase voltage Van
appears across the load when T1 conducts. The load current flows through the supply
phase winding ‘a - n’ and through thyristor T1 as long as T1 conducts.
When thyristor T2 is triggered at 𝜔 = (5𝜋/6 + 𝛼) = (1500 + 𝛼), T1 becomes reverse
biased and turns-off. The load current flows through the thyristor T2 and through the
supply phase winding ‘b - n’. When T2 conducts the phase voltage Vbn appears across
the load until the thyristor T3 is triggered.
When the thyristor T3 is triggered at 𝜔 = (3𝜋/2 + 𝛼) = (2700 + 𝛼), T2 is reversed biased
and hence T2 turns-off. The phase voltage Vcn appears across the load when T3
conducts. When T1 is triggered again at the beginning of the next input cycle the
thyristor T3 turns off as it is reverse biased naturally as soon as T1 is triggered. The
figure shows the 3-phase input supply voltages, the output voltage which appears

Figure 2 Three phase half wave rectifier output

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across the load, and the load current assuming a constant and ripple free load current
for a highly inductive load and the current through the thyristor T1.
Three Phase Full Wave Controlled Rectifier
Three phase full converter is a fully controlled bridge controlled rectifier using six
thyristors connected in the form of a full wave bridge configuration. All the six thyristors
are controlled switches which are turned on at a appropriate times by applying suitable
gate trigger signals. The three phase full converter is extensively used in industrial
power applications up to about 120kW output power level, where two quadrant
operation is required. The figure shows a three phase full converter with highly inductive
load. This circuit is also known as three phase full wave bridge or as a six pulse
converter. The thyristors are triggered at an interval of 𝜋/3 radians (i.e. at an interval of
60o). The frequency of output ripple voltage is 6fs and the filtering requirement is less
than that of three phase semi and half wave converters.

Figure 3 Three phase full wave rectifier

The circuit shown in figure 3 is also known as three phase full wave bridge or as a six
pulse converter. The thyristors are triggered at an interval of (𝜋/3) radians (i.e. at an
interval of 60°). The frequency of output ripple voltage is 6f s and the filtering requirement
is less than that of three phase semi and half wave converters. At 𝜔t = (𝜋/6 + 𝛼),
thyristor T6 is already conducting when the thyristor T1 is turned on by applying the
gating signal to the gate of T1. During the time period 𝜔t = (𝜋/6 + 𝛼) to (𝜋/2 + 𝛼),
thyristors T1 and T6 conduct together and the line to line supply voltage Vab appears
across the load. At 𝜔t = (𝜋/2 + 𝛼), the thyristor T2 is triggered and T6 is reverse biased
immediately and T6 turns off due to natural commutation. During the time period wt =
(𝜋/2 + 𝛼) to (5𝜋/6 + 𝛼), thyristor T1 and T2 conduct together and the line to line supply
voltage ac v appears across the load. The thyristors are numbered in the circuit diagram
corresponding to the order in which they are triggered. The trigger sequence (firing
sequence) of the thyristors is 12, 23, 34, 45, 56, 61, 12, 23, and so on. The figure shows
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the waveforms of three phase input supply voltages, output voltage, the thyristor current
through T1 and T4, the supply current through the line ‘a’.

Figure 4 output waveform

Figure 5 Gate triggering pulse

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Equipment’s:
1. Power supply module
2. Thyristor Firing unit
3. Power Diode module
4. Dc Motor/Generator
5. Four-Pole Squirrel-cage induction Motor
6. Smoothing Inductor
7. Tandem Rheostats,
8. Resistive load
9. Inductive load
10. Current/voltage Isolator module
11. Data acquisition and Interface module
12. Oscilloscope
13. Connection leads and accessories
PROCEDURE:
1. Install all the required module in the EMS Workstation.
2. Make sure that the main switch of the Power Supply is set to the O (OFF)
position, and the voltage control knob is turned fully counter clockwise. Set the
voltmeter select switch to the required position, and then ensure the Power
Supply is connected to a three-phase wall receptacle.
3. Ensure that the POWER INPUT of the data acquisition module is connected to
the main Power Supply, and ensure the USB port cable from the computer is
connected to the data acquisition module. Set the 24V-AC power switch to the
I (ON) position.
4. Make sure that the toggle switches on the Resistive Load, Inductive and power
Thyristor module are all set to the O (open) position
5. Set up the circuit as shown in Figure 7, the DC SOURCE is part of the Thyristor
Firing Unit.
6. Make the following setting on the thyristor firing unit.

ANGLE CONTROL COMPLEMENT ...................................... 0

ANGLE CONTROL ARC COSINE .......................................... 0
DC SOURCE ...................................................................... Minimum
FIRING CONTROL MODE ................................................. 3 phase
7. On the oscilloscope make the following setting.

Channel-1 Sensitivity ............................ 5 V/DIV. (DC coupled)

Vertical Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CH-1
Time Base ............................................................... 5 ms/DIV.
Trigger Source .................................................................. LINE
Trigger Coupling ................................................................. AC
8. On the Power Supply, make sure that the voltage control knob is set to the 0
Position then set the main power switch to the I (ON) position. On the Thyristor
Firing Unit, vary the setting of the DC SOURCE control knob to set the required
FIRING ANGLE. Note the required reading in table 1.
9. Now change the load as per required in lab tasks.
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10. For second task, On the Tandem Rheostats, set the control knob to the center
position. On the Power Supply, make sure that the voltage control knob is set to
the O position, then set the main power switch to I (ON). The Four-Pole
Squirrel-Cage Induction Motor should begin to rotate.
11. On the Power Supply, adjust the voltage control knob to obtain the line to-line
voltage shown in Table 1, as indicated by the voltmeter on the Power Supply.

Table 1
LINE VOLTAGE LINE-TO-LINE VOLTAGE
Vac Vac
120 90
220 175
240 175
12. Turn the control knob on the Tandem Rheostats to adjust the voltage E, of the
dc source to the level indicated in Table 2.
Table 2

LINE VOLTAGE DC Source voltage

E1dc
Vac V
120 100
220 200
240 200
13. On the Thyristor Firing Unit, adjust the FIRING ANGLE to 0°. Adjust the Tandem
Rheostats to obtain the current I, shown in Table 3.
Table 3

LINE VOLTAGE CURRENT

I1dc
Vac A
120 0.5
220 0.25
240 0.25
14. For each FIRING ANGLE in Table 4, adjust the Thyristor Firing Unit to the given
firing angle, then adjust the Tandem Rheostats to obtain the current I, shown in
Table 3. Observe the waveforms on the oscilloscope. Calculate the theoretical
output voltage, record the measured voltage E1,dc as well as the reactive
power, and calculate the active power delivered to the reversible de power
supply.
 POWER ELECTRONIC LAB 2023

LAB TASKS:
Note: While performing the lab tasks, the steps are same as described in procedure
above. Always prefer to use 50% of the rated value. Take pictures of the circuit and
paste it in the lab reports. Take the readings required in Table 1 and pictures of the
waveform of voltage and current across load, power thyristor Q1 and Q2 and
Firing angle.

TASK1:

(a) Construct the three phase half wave bridge rectifier shown in figure 6 on plecs.
Show the waveform of voltage and current across load, power thyristor Q1 and
Q2 and Q3.

PLECS CIRCUIT

WAVEFORMS
 (b) Build the three phase half wave bridge rectifier circuit as shown in figure 6
using EMS hardware. Use the resistive load and set the firing angle 45°.

RESISTIVE HARDWARE

RESISTIVE WAVEFORM METERING WINDOW

(c) Now connect inductive load and observe the effect of change in load on output
waveform. Explain it. Keep firing angle 45°.

INDUCTIVE HARDWARE
 OUTPUT WAVEFORM METERING WINDOW

Firing angle:
OUTPUT CURRENT OUTPUT VOLTAGE
Load OUTPUT POWER CONDUCTION ANGLE
I1 dc E1 dc
Resistive

Inductive

TASK2:
(a) Build the three phase full bridge rectifier circuit as shown in figure 7 using EMS
hardware for resistive load.

RESISTIVE LOAD HARDWARE

OUTPUT WAVEFORM METERING WINDOW

(b)Build the three phase full bridge rectifier circuit as shown in figure 7 using EMS
hardware. For each FIRING ANGLE in Table 4, adjust the Thyristor Firing Unit tothe
given firing angle, then adjust the Tandem Rheostats to obtain the current I, shown in
Table 3. Observe the waveforms on the oscilloscope. Calculate the theoretical output
voltage, record the measured voltage E1,dc as well as threactive power, and calculate
the active power delivered to the reversible depower supply.

TASK 2 MOTOR DRIVER WITH INDUCTIVE LOAD

QUESTIONS:
1. Why conduction angle is higher when inductive load is attached?

2. Briefly explain when bridge rectifier circuit is in inverter mode and what is reversible
power source?

3. What is the average output voltage E for a three-phase full wave rectifier if the line-
to-line source voltage is 240 V and the firing angle is 60°?
CONCLUSION: