CHAPTER 2

DC CONVERTERS
(UNCONTROLLED RECTIFIER)
INTRODUCTION

Rectifier
DC (AC-DC)
Converters Chopper
(DC-DC)
 Rectifier
(AC-DC)
Halfwave Fullwave
rectifier rectifier

Resistive Inductive With Bridge With

freewheeling
load load diode rectifier Center Tap
 DEFINITION OF RECTIFIER

A rectifier is an electrical device that converts

alternating current (AC) which periodically
reverses direction to direct current (DC) which
flows in only one direction.
UNCONTROLLED
R LOAD
 Single Phase
Halfwave Rectifier with Resistive Load
Positive half cycle
Diode D1 is forward biased
and will conducts, the input
voltage appear across the
load.

Negative half cycle

Diode D1 is reverse biased
and blocking condition, the
output voltage is zero.
The average value of the output voltage, Vdc and
output current, Idc

Vm
Vdc   0.318 Vm

Vdc 0.318 Vm
I dc  
R R
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑚 = 2𝑉𝑠
 The output DC power, Pdc

Pdc  Vdc  I dc
0.318 Vm
 0.318 Vm 
R


0.318 Vm 
2

R
The Root-mean-square (RMS) value of the output
voltage, VRMS and output current,IRMS

𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑅𝑀𝑆 = = 0.5𝑉𝑚
2

𝑉𝑅𝑀𝑆 0.5𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑅𝑀𝑆 = =
𝑅 𝑅

𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑚 = 2𝑉𝑠
The output ac power,Pac
𝑃𝑎𝑐 = 𝑉𝑅𝑀𝑆 × 𝐼𝑅𝑀𝑆

0.5𝑉𝑚
= 0.5𝑉𝑚 ×
𝑅
2
0.5𝑉𝑚
=
𝑅
Efficiency or rectification ratio,n

𝑃𝑑𝑐
𝜂=
𝑃𝑎𝑐
 Exercise 1
A single phase halfwave rectifier has a
purely resistive load R=150Ω, the peak
supply voltage Vm=120 V, and the supply
frequency f=60 Hz. Determine the:

i. Average output voltage.

ii. RMS output current.
iii. Output ac power.
iv. Rectification ratio.
Answer Exercise 1
i. Average output voltage
Vdc = 38.197V

ii. RMS output current

IRMS = 0.4A

iii. Output AC power

Pac = 24W

iv. Rectification ratio

n = 40.53%
 Single Phase
Halfwave Rectifier with R-L Load
During the interval 0 to π/2

Voltage : The source voltage Vs increases from zero

to its positive maximum, while the
voltage across the inductor VL opposes
the change of current through the load.

Current :Current through an inductor cannot change

instantaneously, the current gradually increases until
it reaches its maximum value.
During the interval π/2 to π
Voltage : The source voltage decreases from its positive
maximum to zero. The induced voltage in the inductor
reverses polarity and opposes the associated
decrease in current, the diode in forward current.

Current : The current starts decreasing gradually at a delayed

time, becoming zero when all the energy stored by
then inductor is released to the circuit.
 The average value of the
output voltage,Vdc and output current,Idc

𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 1 − cos 𝜋 + 𝛽
2𝜋

𝑉𝑑𝑐
𝐼𝑑𝑐 =
𝑅

𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑚 = 2𝑉𝑠
 Exercise 2
A single phase halfwave rectifier has a
resistive & inductive load with L=50mH and
R=180Ω. Given the peak supply voltage
Vm=240V, β = 0.25 and the supply frequency
f=60 Hz. Determine the:

i. Average output voltage.

ii. Output DC power.
Answer Exercise 2

i. Average output
voltage.
Vdc = 75.207V

ii. Output DC power.

Pdc = 31.423W
 Single Phase
Halfwave Rectifier Inductive Load
with Freewheeling Diode
• Diode Dm will prevent negative
voltage appearing across the load.

• When the supply voltage goes to

zero, the current from D1 is
transferred across to diode Dm.

• This is called commutation of

diodes. The result is the charge in
the inductor will be used to keep
diode Dm on, instead of previously
forcing D1 to remain in its forward
state.

• This would reduce the value of the

extended angle of conduction of
the diode D1, β to zero.
 Single Phase
Fullwave Bridge Rectifier
• During positive half-cycle of the
input voltage, the power is supplied
to the load through diode D1 and
D2. The output voltage, Vo=Vm

• During negative half-cycle of the

input voltage, diode D3 and D4
conduct. The output voltage,
Vo= -Vm

• It is commonly used in industrial

application.
 The average value of the
output voltage,Vdc and output current,Idc

2𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑑𝑐 =
𝜋

𝑉𝑑𝑐
𝐼𝑑𝑐 =
𝑅

𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑚 = 2𝑉𝑠
 The output DC power,Pdc

𝑃𝑑𝑐 = 𝑉𝑑𝑐 × 𝐼𝑑𝑐

2𝑉𝑚 2𝑉𝑚
= ×
𝜋 𝜋𝑅

2
2𝑉𝑚
=
𝜋2𝑅
The root-mean-square (RMS) value of the output
voltage, VRMS and output current,IRMS

𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑅𝑀𝑆 =
2

𝑉𝑅𝑀𝑆
𝐼𝑅𝑀𝑆 =
𝑅
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑚 = 2𝑉𝑠
The output AC power,Pac

𝑃𝑎𝑐 = 𝑉𝑅𝑀𝑆 × 𝐼𝑅𝑀𝑆

𝑉𝑚 𝑉𝑚
= ×
2 2𝑅

2
𝑉𝑚
=
2𝑅
Efficiency or rectification ratio,n

Pdc

Pac
 Single Phase
Fullwave Rectifier with Center Tap
 Each half of the transformer with
associated diode act as a half-wave
rectifier.

 During positive half-cycle of the input

voltage, the power is supplied to the
load through diode D1 while D2 is
reversed biased. The output voltage,
Vo=Vm
 During negative half-cycle of the input
voltage, diode D2 conduct while D1 is
reversed biased. The output voltage,
Vo= -Vm
 Exercise 3
A single phase fullwave bridge uncontrolled
rectifier has a purely resistive load R=130Ω, the
root mean square voltage Vrms=250 V, and the
supply frequency f=60 Hz. Determine the:

i. Peak supply voltage

ii. RMS value of output current
iii. Average output voltage
iv. AC & DC output power
v. Rectification ratio
Answer Exercise 3
i. Peak supply voltage
= 353.55V

ii. RMS value of output current.

= 1.923A

iii. Average output voltage

= 225.077V

iv. AC & DC output power.

= 389.698W, 480.75W

iv. Rectification ratio

= 0.811
 Exercise 4
A single phase fullwave uncontrolled rectifier
with center tap has a purely resistive load
R=125Ω, the root mean square current, Irms
= 0.8768A and the supply frequency f=60 Hz.
Determine the efficiency of the rectifier,

Answer Exercise 4
Efficiency of the rectifier
= 0.81
SUMMARIZATION OF RECTIFIER

A rectifier is an electrical device that converts

alternating current (AC) which periodically
reverses direction to direct current (DC) which
flows in only one direction.
 Rectifier (AC-DC)

Halfwave rectifier Fullwave rectifier

Resistive load Bridge rectifier

Inductive load With Center Tap

With freewheeling
diode
 Single Phase Halfwave Rectifier
Halfwave rectifier R Load R-L Load

Average output voltage, Vdc 𝑉𝑚 𝑉𝑚

1 − cos( 𝜋 + 𝛽)
𝜋 2𝜋

Average output current, Idc 𝑉𝑑𝑐 𝑉𝑑𝑐

𝑅 𝑅

RMS value of output voltage, 𝑉𝑚

Vrms 2

RMS value of output current, 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠

Irms
𝑅

Rectification ratio or 𝑃𝑑𝑐 𝑉𝑑𝑐 × 𝐼𝑑𝑐

efficiency,n 𝜂= =
𝑃𝑎𝑐 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 × 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠
 Single Phase Fullwave Rectifier
Bridge &
Fullwave rectifier
Center Tap

Average output voltage, Vdc 2𝑉𝑚

𝜋
Average output current, Idc 𝑉𝑑𝑐
𝑅

RMS value of output voltage, 𝑉𝑚

Vrms
2
RMS value of output current, 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠
Irms
𝑅

Rectification ratio or Pd c Vd c  I d c
efficiency,n  
Pac Vrms  I rms
UNCONTROLLED
R-L LOAD AND
FW DIODE
 Single Phase
Halfwave Rectifier with R-L Load
During the interval 0 to π/2

Voltage : The source voltage Vs increases from zero

to its positive maximum, while the
voltage across the inductor VL opposes
the change of current through the load.

Current :Current through an inductor cannot change

instantaneously, the current gradually increases until
it reaches its maximum value.
During the interval π/2 to π
Voltage : The source voltage decreases from its positive
maximum to zero. The induced voltage in the inductor
reverses polarity and opposes the associated
decrease in current, the diode in forward current.

Current : The current starts decreasing gradually at a delayed

time, becoming zero when all the energy stored by
then inductor is released to the circuit.
 The average value of the
output voltage,Vdc and output current,Idc

𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 1 − cos 𝜋 + 𝛽
2𝜋

𝑉𝑑𝑐
𝐼𝑑𝑐 =
𝑅

𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑚 = 2𝑉𝑠
 Exercise 1
Draw a circuit diagram of a single phase halfwave
uncontrolled rectifier with inductive load and
waveform of:

i. Input voltage
ii. Output voltage
iii. Output current
 Exercise 2
A single phase halfwave rectifier has a
resistive & inductive load with L=50mH and
R=180Ω. Given the peak supply voltage
Vm=240V, β = 0.25 and the supply frequency
f=60 Hz. Determine the:

i. Average output voltage.

ii. Output dc power.
Answer Exercise 2

i. Average output
voltage.
Vdc = 75.207V

ii. Output DC power.

Pdc = 31.423W
 Single Phase
Halfwave Rectifier Inductive Load
with Freewheeling/ Flywheel Diode
• The freewheeling diode is
connected across R-L load

• The load current passes through

load as the diode D1 is turned ON
during positive half cycle

• The energy stored in the inductor of

the load

• The stored energy of the load

passes through freewheeling diode
during negative half cycle
• If there is no freewheeling diode,
the stored energy of load back to
the input supply.
 Exercise 3
Draw a circuit diagram of a single phase
half wave uncontrolled rectifier with
freewheeling diode and waveform of
input voltage, Vin, output voltage, Vout
and output current diode, Id.
 Single Phase Halfwave Rectifier
Halfwave rectifier Resistive Load Inductive Load

1 cos(  )

Average output voltage, Vdc Vm Vm
 0.318 Vm
 2
Average output current, Idc Vdc Vdc
R R
RMS value of output voltage, Vm
Vrms  0.5 Vm
2
RMS value of output current, Vrms
Irms
R
Rectification ratio or Pd c Vd c  I d c
efficiency,n  
Pac Vrms  I rms
UNCONTROLLED
FULLWAVE
 Single Phase
Fullwave Bridge Rectifier
• During positive half-cycle of the
input voltage, the power is supplied
to the load through diode D1 and
D2. The output voltage, Vo=Vm

• During negative half-cycle of the

input voltage, diode D3 and D4
conduct. The output voltage,
Vo= -Vm

• It is commonly used in industrial

application.
 Single Phase
Fullwave Rectifier with Center Tap
 Each half of the transformer with
associated diode act as a half-wave
rectifier.

 During positive half-cycle of the input

voltage, the power is supplied to the load
through diode D1 while D2 is reversed
biased. The output voltage, Vo=Vm
 During negative half-cycle of the input
voltage, diode D2 conduct while D1 is
reversed biased. The output voltage,
Vo= -Vm
The average output voltage and current is define as:

2Vm
Vdc   0.6366Vm

Vdc 0.6366Vm
I dc  
R R
The RMS value of voltage output and current is:

𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑅𝑀𝑆 = = 0.707𝑉𝑚
2

𝑉𝑅𝑀𝑆 0.707𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑅𝑀𝑆 = =
𝑅 𝑅
 Exercise 1
A single phase fullwave bridge rectifier has a purely resistive
load R=130Ω, the root mean square voltage VRMS=250 V, and the
supply frequency f=60 Hz. Determine the:

i. Peak supply voltage.

ii. RMS value of output current.
iii. Average output voltage.
iv. AC & DC output power.
v. Rectification ratio.
 Exercise 2

A single phase fullwave rectifier with center tap has a

purely resistive load R=125Ω, the root mean square
current, Irms = 0.8768A and the supply frequency f=60 Hz.
Determine the efficiency of the rectifier.
 Single Phase Fullwave Rectifier
Fullwave rectifier Bridge Center Tap

Average output voltage, Vdc

0.6366 Vm
Average output current, Idc Vdc
R
RMS value of output voltage,
Vrms 0.707 Vm

RMS value of output current, Vrms

Irms
R
Rectification ratio or Pd c Vd c  I d c
efficiency,n  
Pac Vrms  I rms
 Summarization of Rectifier

A rectifier is an electrical device that converts

alternating current (AC) which periodically
reverses direction to direct current (DC) which
flows in only one direction.