Power Electronics

LECTURE#04
Power Diode CIRCUITS

(CLO-1)
(PLO-1)
 tRR and IRR Calculations
• In practice, a design engineer frequently needs to calculate tRR and IRR ,
in order to evaluate the possibility of high frequency switching.
• As a thumb rule, lower tRR , the faster the diode can be switched.

𝒕𝑹𝑹 = 𝒕𝒂
+ 𝒕𝒃 diodes 𝑡𝑏 is negligible
• In abrupt recovery
• Following expression can be used o calculate the

𝟐𝑸𝑹
reverse recovery time:
𝒕𝑹𝑹
=
𝑹

𝒅𝒊/ and can be

from the area enclosed𝒅𝒕
• where the storage charge
QRR
calculated
is by the path of
the recovery current.
• Reverse Recovery current can be calculated as:
𝒅𝒊
𝑰𝑹𝑹 𝒅𝒕
𝟐𝑸𝑹𝑹
2
 Example-1
• The manufacturer of a selected diode gives the rate of fall of the
diode current di/dt=20 A/μs, and its reverse recovery time
trr
=5μs. What value of peak reverse current do you expect?

SOLUTION. The peak reverse current is given as:

𝑑𝑖
𝐼𝑅𝑅 2𝑄𝑅
= 𝑑𝑡
𝑅

The storage charge QRR is calculated as:

2𝑄𝑅
𝑡𝑅𝑅
=
𝑅

𝑑𝑖/
𝑑𝑡 3
 Example-1 (contd…)
2𝑄𝑅𝑅
𝑡𝑅𝑅 𝑄𝑅 2
1 𝑑𝑖 𝑅
= =𝑅
�
𝑅
𝑑𝑖/𝑑𝑡
�

2 𝑑𝑡 𝑄 = 1 × 20𝐴
× 5×
10
𝑅−6
𝑅 2 𝜇𝑠
𝑄𝑅𝑅 =
50𝜇𝐶
Hence,
𝑑𝑖 20𝐴
𝐼𝑅𝑅 2𝑄𝑅 𝐼𝑅𝑅 2×
50𝜇𝐶
= 𝑑𝑡 = 𝜇𝑠
𝑅

𝐼𝑅𝑅 = 44.72
4
 Example-2
• The current waveform passing through a diode switch in a
switch mode power supply application is shown in following
figure. Find the average, r.m.s, and the peak current.

SOLUTION. The current pulse duration is shown to be 0.2 ms within a period of 1

ms and with a peak amplitude of 50 A. Hence the required currents are:

0.
𝐼𝑎𝑣 = 50 2 =
1
× 10𝐴
0.
50 2 =
1
2
𝐼𝑅𝑀𝑆
× 22.36𝐴
= 𝐼𝑝𝑘 = 5
 Snubbers Circuits
• Snubbers are used for:
– turn-on: to minimize large over currents through the
device at turn-on
– turn-off: to minimize large over voltages across the device
during turn-off.
– Stress reduction: to shape the device switching waveform
such that the voltage and current associated
with the device are not high simultaneously.

• Switches and diodes requires snubbers circuits.

– However, new generation of IGBT, MOSFET and IGCT do
not require Snubbers Circuits.
6
 Snubber Circuits for Diode
• Snubber circuits are essential for diodes used in switching circuits.
• It can save a diode from overvoltage spikes, which may arise during
the reverse recovery process (especially in abrupt recovery).

• A very common snubber circuit for

a power diode consists of
a capacitor and a resistor
connected in parallel with the
diode.

7
 Snubber Circuits for Diode
• When the reverse recovery current decreases, the capacitor by
virtue of its functional property will try to hold the voltage
across it, which, approximately, is the voltage across the diode.
• The resistor on the other hand will help to dissipate some of the
stored energy, which forms the IRR loop.
• The dv/dt across a diode can be calculated as:

1
𝑣 ∫ 𝐶𝑠=stored capacitance
𝐶
= 𝑖𝑑𝑡
𝑠
1 0.632
×𝑉
𝑣 = ∫𝑠
𝐶 𝑅
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑣 𝑠 0.632
× 𝑉𝑠
𝑠

= 8
 Snubber Circuits for Diode
𝑑𝑣 0.632
× 𝑉𝑠
=
𝑑𝑡 𝑅𝑠𝐶𝑠
• Usually the dv/dt rating of a diode is given in the manufacturers
datasheet.
• Knowing dv/dt and the RS, one can choose the value of the snubber
capacitor CS.

• The RS can be calculated from the diode reverse recovery current:

�
𝑅𝑠 = �
𝑅𝑅 𝑠

• The designed dv/dt value𝐼must always be equal or lower than the

dv/dt value found from the datasheet.
9
 Series and Parallel Connection of Power Diodes
• For specific applications, when the voltage or current rating of a
chosen diode is not enough to meet the designed rating, diodes
can be connected in series or parallel.
• Connecting them in series will give the structure a high voltage
rating that may be necessary for high-voltage applications.

10
 Series and Parallel Connection of Power Diodes Bridge
• If a selected diode cannot match the required current rating,
one may connect several diodes in parallel.
• In order to ensure equal current sharing, the designer
must choose diodes with the same forward voltage drop
properties.

11
 Diode With RC Load
• When switch S1 is closed at t=0, the charging current, 𝑖 𝑡 that

through the capacitor and voltage drop, (𝑣𝑐) across it are found from:
flows

�
𝑖 𝑡 = 𝑒 −𝑡/
𝑠
𝑅𝐶
�
�
�

12
 Diode With RL Load
• When switch S1 is closed at t=0, the current through the inductor is
increased

𝑉𝑠 = 𝑣𝐿
+ 𝑣𝑅

𝑉𝑠 = 𝑑𝑖
𝐿 +
𝑑𝑡
𝑅𝑖
�
𝑖
𝑠 1 −
=
� 13
 Diode With RL Load
• The waveform shows when t>>T, the voltage
inductor tends to be and across its current
zero maximum value. reaches

• If an attempt is made to open

S1 energy stored in
inductor (=0.5Li2) will
be transformed into high
reverse voltage across
diode and switch.

14
 Example#3
• A diode circuit is shown in figure, with R=44Ω and C=0.1μF. The
capacitor has an initial voltage Vo=220 v. If S1 is closed at t=0
determine:
1. Peak Diode Current

2. Energy Dissipated in resistor

3. Capacitor voltage at t=2 μs

15
 Example#3….
• Solution:
1. Peak Diode Current
𝑉 𝐼𝑃 =220 = 5
𝐼𝑃 44
𝑜 𝐴
=2. Energy Dissipated in Resistor
𝑅
1
𝐸 =
2
𝐸 = 2.42 ×
2
C𝑉 10−3𝐽
�
�

3. Capacitor voltage at t=2 μs

16
 Freewheeling Diode
• A diode used to eliminate fly back, which is the sudden voltage
spike seen across an inductive load when its supply voltage is
suddenly reduced or removed.
• If switch S1 is closed, a current is established through the load, and
then, if the switch is open, a path must be provided for the
current in the inductive load.
– This is normally done by connecting a diode Dm, called a
freewheeling diode.

circuit with an inductance and a flyback diode 17

 Freewheeling Diode Modes..
• The circuit operation is divided into two modes.
• Mode 1 begins when the switch S1 is closed.
• During this mode the current voltage relation is:

𝒊𝟏 𝑽𝒔
𝟏− 𝑽𝒔 = 𝑳
= 𝒅𝒊𝟏 𝒅𝒕
𝑹 𝒆
−𝒕𝑹/𝑳 + 𝑹𝒊𝟏

18
 Freewheeling Diode Modes….
• Mode 2 starts when the switch S1 is opened and the load
current starts to flow through Dm.
𝒅𝒊𝟐
𝟎=𝑳 𝒊𝟐 = 𝒊𝟏
+𝒅𝑹𝒊
𝒕
�

𝒆−𝒕𝑹/𝑳
�

19
Modes of Operation
Mode 1 (Switch ON):

•S1 Closed: Current flows from the voltage source through the
inductor.
•Energy is stored in the magnetic field of the inductor.
•The diode is reverse-biased and does not conduct.

Mode 2 (Switch OFF):

•S1 Opened: The current through the inductor cannot instantly stop
due to its stored energy.
•The inductor forces current to continue flowing, forward-biasing the
freewheeling diode.
•Current circulates through the inductor and diode, gradually
dissipating energy without producing a harmful voltage spike.
Freewheeling Diode Operation

21
 Freewheeling Diode Waveform
• The waveform of the entire operation is given below.
• When S1 is ON:
• Voltage across the
diode is negative
(reverse-biased), so
it does not conduct.
• Current rises
through the inductor.
• When S1 is OFF:
• Voltage across the
diode becomes
positive (forward-
biased), allowing
current flow.
• Current slowly
decreases as the
S1 Closed S1 Open
inductor releases
energy.
22
 Rectification
• Converting AC (from mains or other AC source) to DC power
by using power semiconductor devices is called rectification.
• Two Categories
– Uncontrolled Rectifiers
– Controlled Rectifiers
• It is desired that the rectifier present a resistive load to the ac power
system.
• This leads to
– Unity power factor
– ac line current has same wave shape as voltage
• An ideal rectifier should have η = 100%, Vac = 0, RF = 0, TUF = 1, HF =
THD = 0, and PF = PDF = 1.

23
 Rectifier Performance Parameters
Parameter Equation
𝑃𝑜𝑑𝑐
𝑉 𝐼
𝜂 = 𝑜𝑑𝑐=𝑜𝑑𝑐
Efficiency (𝜂)
𝑃 𝑉 𝐼
𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠

𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝑉𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝐹𝐹 =
Form Factor (FF)
𝑉𝑜𝑑𝑐
𝑉𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐶𝐹 =
Crest Factor (CF)
𝑉𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠

𝑉 𝑉2 − 𝑉2 𝑉2
Ripple Factor (RF)
− 𝑉2
𝑅𝐹 =𝑉 = =
𝑉𝑜𝑑𝑐
𝑜𝑑𝑐
𝑉2
𝑜𝑑𝑐
= 𝐹𝐹2 − 1 24
 Rectifier Performance Parameters
Parameter Equation
𝑃𝑜𝑑𝑐 𝑃𝑜𝑑𝑐
𝑉𝑜𝑑𝑐 𝐼𝑜𝑑𝑐
Transformer Utilization
𝑇𝑈𝐹 = = =
Factor (TUF)
𝑃𝑎𝑐(𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑) 𝑉𝑠 𝐼𝑠
𝑉𝑠 𝐼𝑠
𝑃𝑅 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 cos ∅
𝑃𝐹 = =
Power Factor (PF)
𝑃𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠
Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV) 𝑃𝐼𝑉 = 𝑉𝑚
Total Harmonic Distortion I S2  I 2S1 I S2
(THD) THDi  2
 1
IS1 I2
S1

25
 Transformer Utilization Factor (TUF)
• The transformer utilization factor (TUF), which is a measure
of the merit of a rectifier circuit, is defined as the ratio of the
dc output power to the transformer volt–ampere (VA) rating
required by the secondary winding
𝑃𝑜𝑑𝑐 𝑃𝑜𝑑 𝑉𝑜𝑑𝑐 𝐼𝑜
𝑇𝑈𝐹 ==
𝑃𝑎𝑐(𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 = =
𝑐 𝑑𝑐
𝑉𝑠 𝑉𝑠 𝐼 𝑠
𝑑)
𝐼𝑠 and rms current ratings of
• where Vs and Is are the rms voltage
the secondary transformer.

26
 Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV)
• Peak inverse voltage is an important parameter in the design
of rectifiers.

• PIV is the maximum voltage that appears across the

diode during its blocking state.

𝑃𝐼𝑉 = 𝑉𝑚

27
 Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
• This is a measure of the distortion of a waveform, as a
difference between the total rms ac current (secondary
current, Is) and fundamental component of ac source
current (Is1), defined by decomposing the secondary
current into Fourier series.

I S2  I S12 I 2
THDi  S 1
2 2
 I S1 I S1

• In the case of pure sinusoidal source current

Is=Is1, therefore HF=0.

28
 Uncontrolled Rectifiers
• In most power Electronic systems, the power input is in
the form of a 50Hz or 60Hz sine wave ac voltage.
• The general trend is to use inexpensive diode rectifiers
to convert ac into dc in an uncontrolled manner.

29
 Uncontrolled Rectifier Classification
• Single Phase Half Wave Rectifier
• Single Phase full Wave (Centre Tap)
• Single phase full Wave (Bridge)
• 3 Phase Star Rectifier
• 3 Phase Bridge Rectifier

30
Single Phase Half Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier
• A single Phase half wave rectifier is the simplest type
• It is typically only applicable for laboratory application and does
not suggested for industrial or domestic applications.

31
 Single Phase Half Wave Rectifier

• Although output voltage is

D.C, it is discontinuous and
contains Harmonics.
32
 1-Phase Half Wave Rectifier Performance Parameters

• Voltage Relationships
– Average Value of Load voltage
(𝑉𝑜𝑑𝑐 )
1 �𝑉
𝑉
𝑉𝑜𝑑𝑐 = sin 𝜔𝑡 𝑑𝜔𝑡
�
𝑚
2𝜋0 = 𝑚

∫
𝜋
– RMS value of Load Voltage
(𝑉𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠 )

1
𝑜𝑟𝑚 = ∫ 𝑉 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜔𝑡 𝑑𝜔𝑡 �
𝑚
�
� 2
2 2
�
𝑚
=
�
𝑠
𝜋 0
�
33
 1-Phase Half Wave Rectifier Performance Parameters
• Current Relationships
– Average Value of Load Current (𝐼𝑜𝑑𝑐)
𝑉𝑜𝑑𝑐
𝑜𝑑
𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑐
= =
– RMS value of Load Current 𝑅
𝑉
𝜋𝑅
(𝐼𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠)
𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠
�𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑉𝑚
= =
�𝑠
𝑅
2𝑅
– Load and Diode Currents
𝑉
𝐼𝑠 = 𝐼𝐿 = 𝐼𝐷 2
= 𝐼𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝑚

= 𝑅 34
Example 4: The rectifier shown in figure has a pure resistive load
of 10Ω. Determine (a) The efficiency, (b) Form factor (c) Crest
Factor (d) Ripple factor (e) Transformer Utilization Factor (f) PIV

Solution

Vodc   285 
 3.141 Vorms  Vm  285 
Vm 90.7V 2 2
142.4V
I odc  Vm  9.07 I orms  
R A 2 R 14.25A 34
V
 Example-4
(a) Efficiency

(c) Crest Factor

Podc Vodc Iodc
 
Vm 285
CF  
Porms 142.4 2

90.7  Vorms
 V I 100 
9.07
142.4
orms orms
40.54%
14.2
(b) Form Factor (d) Ripple Factor
Vm
V
Vorms FF 2 1
FF  2 RF  Voac
Vodc Vm od
 c
 
RF  1.572 1 
1.211

FF  2  1.57 35
 Example-4
90.7 ×
(e) Transformer Utilization Factor

𝑇𝑈𝐹 = 𝑃𝑜𝑑𝑐= 𝑇𝑈𝐹 9.07 =

𝑉
𝑠 𝐼
𝑠 = 0.707𝑉𝑚 × 0.286
𝑉𝑠𝑜𝑑𝑐
𝑠 𝐼𝑜𝑑𝑐 14.25
• The poor𝑉TUF
𝐼 of a half-wave rectifier signifies that the transformer
employed must have a 3.496 (1/0.286) VA rating in order to
deliver 1W dc output power to the load.
.
• If the transformer rating is 1 KVA (1000VA) then the half-
wave
rectifier can deliver 1000 X0.287 = 287 watts to resistance load.

• In addition, the transformer secondary winding has to carry a dc

current that may cause magnetic core saturation.

• As a result, half-wave
requirement is small. rectifiers are used only when the current
36
 Example-4
(f) Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV)

𝑃𝐼𝑉 = 𝑉𝑚
𝑃𝐼𝑉 = 285𝑉

38
 Example-4(Conclusion)
• Taking into account the obtained rectifier parameters we conclude that
this type of rectifier is characterized with bad parameters presented by :
1. Low (poor) transform utilization 28.6%, which means that the
transformer must be 1/0.286=3.49 times larger that when it is used
to deliver power from a pure ac voltage.
2. Low ( poor) rectification efficiency = 40.5%
3. Presence of current dc component in the secondary current causing
additional losses ( winding and core heating).
4. High ripple factor (1.21), which means that a filter with large
capacitance is required for smoothing the output voltage, therefore
this yield high capacitor starting current problem.
• Therefore this type of rectifier is rarely used due to the weakness
in
quality of it's power and signal parameters. 39
 Exercise#1
• A diode whose internal resistance is 20Ω is to supply power
to a 100Ω load from 110V(rms) ac source. Calculate (a) peak
load current (b) the dc load current (c) the rms load current (d)
TUF
(e) TUF when Rf=0Ω (f) Conclusion.

Solution:
Given a half-wave rectifier circuit Rf =20Ω, RL=100Ω
Given an ac source with rms voltage of 110V
Therefore the maximum amplitude of sinusoidal
input is given by

𝑉𝑚 = 2 𝑉𝑟 𝑚𝑠 = 1.41 × 110 = 155.56𝑉

𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑚 = =
155.56
𝑅𝑓 + 𝑅1.29𝐴
𝐿 20 +
=)
(a) Peak load current (𝐼𝑚 39
 Exercise#1……
(b) the dc load current (c) the rms load current

𝐼𝑚 𝐼𝑚
(𝐼𝑜𝑑𝑐) (𝐼𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠)

𝑜𝑑𝐼 = = �𝑜𝑟𝑚 = =
𝑐 0.41𝐴
� 𝑠
2
0.645𝐴
�
�
(d) TUF
𝑃𝑜𝑑𝑐
𝑉𝑜𝑑𝑐𝐼𝑜𝑑𝑐
𝑇𝑈𝐹 = =
𝑉𝑠 𝐼𝑠
(𝐼𝑜𝑑𝑐 × 𝑅𝐿) ×
𝑉𝑠 𝐼𝑠
0.41
𝑇𝑈𝐹 = 110 ×
0.645
(0.41 × 100) ×
𝑇𝑈𝐹 0.41 =
110 ×
= 0.645 0.23 41
 Exercise#1…..
(e) TUF when 𝑹𝒇 =
𝟎𝜴
𝑉𝑚 155.56 𝐼𝑚 𝐼𝑚
𝐼𝑚 = = = 𝐼𝑜𝑑 = = 0.49𝐴 = =
1.55𝐴𝑅𝐿 𝐼𝑐
𝑜𝑟𝑚
𝑠
2
0.775𝐴
100
�
�
𝑉𝑜𝑑𝑐
𝐼𝑜𝑑𝑐
𝑇𝑈𝐹 = 𝑉𝑠
𝐼𝑠
(𝐼𝑜𝑑𝑐 × 𝑅𝐿) ×
0.49
𝑇𝑈𝐹 = 110 ×
0.775

(0.49 × 100) ×
𝑇𝑈𝐹 0.49 =
110 ×
= 0.645 0.28 42
 Half Wave Diode Rectifier With R-L Load
diode D1 will extend beyond 180o until the current becomes zero at 𝝎𝒕
• When a rectifier supply power to RL load, the conduction period of the

=
𝝅 + 𝝈.
: is standard deviation, which should be zero or minimum.

Conduction period of D1 extends beyond ωt = π

𝜎, therefore the average output voltage decreases due to load

• The diode will conduct in the negative half cycle for the time of
43
inductance.
 Half Wave Diode Rectifier With R-L Load- Average Output Voltage

• The average output voltage is given by

𝑉𝑚𝜎
𝜋+

𝑉𝑜𝑑 = ∫ sin 𝜔𝑡
𝑑𝜔𝑡
𝑐
2
𝜋 0
𝑉
− cos 𝜔𝑡
𝑜𝑑
2 0
𝑚
𝑉𝑐 = 𝜋+𝜎
𝜋
𝑉
1 − cos(𝜋
𝑜𝑑
2
𝑚
𝑉𝑐 = + 𝜎)
𝜋
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝜎=
𝜔𝐿 �
tan −1
� is given by
• The average output current

𝑉𝑜𝑑
𝑜𝑑 𝑐
𝐼𝑐 = �
Increase average voltage and current by making σ = 0
� 44
 Half Wave Diode Rectifier With R-L Load – Addition of a freewheeling diode
• The average dc voltage
varies proportionately to [1- cos(π +
σ)].
• This can be made maximum
by decreasing σ (ideally σ = 0 ).
• We can make σ=0 by
adding freewheeling diode Dm .

45
 Single Phase Full Wave Rectifier
• A full-wave rectifier converts an ac voltage into
a pulsating dc voltage using both half cycles of
the applied ac voltage.
• In order to rectify both the half cycles of ac input, two
diodes are used in this circuit.
• Both diodes feed a common load with the help of
a center-tap transformer.
• A center-tap transformer is the one which produces two
sinusoidal waveforms of same magnitude and
frequency but out of phase with respect to the
ground in the secondary winding of the transformer.

46
 Single Phase Full Wave Rectifier
• Each half of the transformer with
associated
its acts as a half wave rectifier.
Center-Tapped
Transformer

47
Single Phase Full Wave Rectifier Parameters

1 2V
Vodc   Vm sint dt   m
0

I odc  2Vm
R


1 Vm
Vorms

   m
V sin t
 2
d t 
0 2

Vm
I orms
 2 R

PIV = 2Vm
48
 Single Phase Full Wave Rectifier
Example 5. The rectifier in shown in figure has a purely resistive
load of R Determine (a) The efficiency, (b) Form factor (c) Ripple
factor (d) Crest Factor (e) TUF (f) PIV

Vodc  2Vm 2110

    2:1
70.06V
I odc  Vodc  7 10Ω

Vm=220v
R A
Vorms  Vm 
2 77.78V

I orms  Vorms  7.77

R A 49
 Example-5…..

70.06

Podc

Vodc  Iodc  
7
77.78 81.05%
Poac Vorms 7.77
 Iorms V 77.78
FF  orms  70.06  1.11
Vodc

RF  FF 2 1 1.112 1 
 0.483

50
 Example-5
• The average TUF in centre-tap full-wave rectifying circuit is
determined by considering the primary and secondary
winding separately.

• There are two secondary windings here. Each secondary

is associated with one diode. This is just similar to secondary of
half- wave rectifier. Each secondary has TUF as 0.287.

70.06 ×
𝑇𝑈𝐹 𝑃0𝑑 = 7 =
0.707𝑉𝑚 ×
�
= � 𝑃𝑎𝑐(𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒
𝑐 0.81
𝑑) 7.77
𝑇𝑈𝐹𝑃 + 𝑇𝑈𝐹𝑠 + 𝑇𝑈𝐹𝑠
𝑇𝑈𝑎 = =
0.693 3
𝐹 𝑣 51
 Single Phase Full Wave Bridge Rectifier
• Instead of using centre-
tapped transformer we could use four
diodes.

52
Single Phase Full Wave Bridge Rectifier

Positive half cycle Negative half cycle

Conduction pattern
•D1 – D2 , D3 – D4
•PIV = Vm 53
Single Phase Full Wave Bridge Rectifier
• Advantages of Bridge rectifier circuit:
– No center-tapped transformer is required
– The TUF is considerably high
– PIV is reduced across the diode.

• Disadvantages of Bridge rectifier circuit:

– The only disadvantage of bridge rectifier is the use of four
diodes as compared to two diodes for center-tapped Full
wave rectifier.
– This reduces the output voltage

54
 Example 6 single-phase diode bridge rectifier has a purely resistive load of
R=15 ohms and, VS=300 sin ωt and unity transformer ratio. Determine (a)
The efficiency, (b) Form factor, (c) Ripple factor, (d) Input power factor.

 2V m 2Vm
Vdc
 
1 V sin t d t
m
 V
 190.956 I dc 
R
 12.7324
 0 
1/ 2
A
1   V m  212.132 V
Vrms 
  Vm sin  t  2
2
0 
P dtV I  81.06 V
 Pdc V dc dc
FF  rms

ac rms rms % 1.11
I Vdc
V2 V2
V V 2

RF  ac
 rms dc 2
Vrms 1  FF 2 1  0.482 The PIV=300V
Vdc Vdc dc


Input power factor = Re al Power I S cos

Apperant  V I 1
S
VPower
S
55
Three Phase

56
Three Phase Rectification
Why is a 3-Phase Rectifier Preferred Over a 1-Phase Rectifier?
A three-phase rectifier is preferred over a single-phase rectifier due to
the following reasons:
1. Higher DC Voltage Output: This is beneficial for applications
requiring a more stable and efficient power supply.
2. Better Input Power Factor (pf):The power factor in a three-phase
rectifier is higher, leading to reduced losses in power transmission
and conversion. This improves overall system efficiency.
3. Less Ripple Content in Output Current: The ripple factor in a
three-phase rectifier is lower than in a single-phase rectifier. A lower
ripple factor results in smoother DC output, improving load
performance and reducing the need for complex filtering.
4. Lower Size of Filter Components: Due to the higher ripple
frequency in a three-phase rectifier, the required filter components
(capacitors and inductors) are smaller. This reduces the overall size
and cost of the circuit.
Three Phase Rectification
Three Phase Rectifier Classification

59
 Three Phase Supply
• 4 wires
– 3 “active” phases, A, B, C
– 1 “ground”, or “neutral”
• Phase A
• Phase B
• Phase C
• Neutral
• Three phase voltages with respect to Neutral.
 Three Phase Half Wave Rectifier

•In a three-phase half-wave rectifier, each diode's anode is connected to

one phase of the AC supply, while their cathodes are joined at a common
positive point, forming a diode-“OR” type arrangement.
•The common cathode point serves as the (+) terminal for the load, and
the (-) terminal connects to the neutral (N) of the supply.
Conduction Cycle:
1.Phase Rotation: Red (VA) → Yellow (VB) → Blue (VC).
2.Diode Conduction Pattern:
•D1 conducts when VA is most positive, while D2 and D3 remain
reverse-biased.
•120° later, D2 conducts as VB becomes the most positive phase.
•Another 120° later, D3 conducts when VC is at its peak.
3.Cycle Repeats: This results in a sequential D1 → D2 → D3 conduction
pattern, ensuring continuous DC output with a pulsating waveform.
This setup provides a higher ripple frequency than a single-phase rectifier,
reducing the size of filtering components needed for smoothing the DC output.
Three Phase Half Wave Rectifier
 Three Phase Half Wave Rectifier
2𝜋
3
• Average output voltage for one pulse (120o or ) is
given as 3
5/ 6
3 3 V
Vdc
sin t d t  2 
2 / 6
V m
 m

0.827Vm
I dc  3 3 Vm  0.827
2   R
VRm
• Similarly rms value of load voltage for one pulse is given as
5 / 6
3 1  3 3 V  0.8407 V
Vrms  2 V m sin t 
2
 t 
 /6d 2 8 m

0.8407
I rms 

Vm
63
R
Example 7 The rectifier shown in following figure is
operated from 460 V 50 Hz rms supply at secondary side
and the load resistance is R=20 . If
inductance is the source negligible,
efficiency, (b) Form factor (c) Ripple (a)
determine factorRectification
(d) Crest Factor
(e) Peak inverse voltage (PIV) of each diode.

Three-Phase Star Rectifier

64
 Example-7….
• Phase to neutral voltage is given by

460
V  3  265.58 V
S

• Peak voltage now can be calculated as

Vm  265.58 2  375.59 V
• Average value of load voltage and current now can be calculated as

Vdc  3 3 Vm  0.827 Vm 
2 310.6V

I dc  3 3 Vm  
2 R R 15.5A
0827Vm
65
 Example-7
• RMS value of load voltage and current

Vrms  0.8407 Vm 
315.5V
I rms  0.8407 Vm  15.77
R A
• (a) Rectifier efficiency

Pdc


 310.6 15.5
Vdc Idc
  315.515.7  96.7 %
Vrms Irms
7
66
Vdc Idc
 Example-7….
• (b) Form Factor

Vrms 315.5
FF   310.6 
Vdc
1.01
• (c) Ripple Factor
RF  FF 2 1
 0.18

• (d) Crest Factor

Vm  375.59  1.19
CF  315.5
Vrms
• (e) PIV
PIV 3 Vm 
 650.54V 67
 Three Phase Full Bridge Rectifier
• Full-wave three-phase uncontrolled bridge rectifier circuit uses 6
diodes, 2 per phase.
• Full wave rectification is obtained by two half-wave rectifiers.
• It produces a lower ripple output than half-wave 3-phase rectifier
as it has a frequency of six times the input AC waveform.
• In full-wave rectifier no fourth neutral (N) wire is required.

68
 Three Phase Full Bridge Rectifier
• Phase Rotation: Red-Yellow-Blue (VA – VB – VC), with VA starting
at 0°.
• Diode Bridge Network:
• D1, D3, D2, D4 → Between phases A and B.
• D3, D5, D4, D6 → Between phases B and C.
• D5, D1, D6, D2 → Between phases C and A.
Diode Conduction Pattern:
• Positive Rail: D1, D3, D5 → The diode with the highest positive
anode voltage conducts.
• Negative Rail: D2, D4, D6 → The diode with the lowest negative
cathode voltage conducts.
• Diodes conduct in pairs, forming a path through two diodes in series.
• Commutation occurs every 60°, leading to six conduction intervals
per cycle.
This arrangement provides a steady DC output with lower ripple and
is widely used in high-power rectification applications.

69
Three Phase Full Bridge Rectifier Circuit Operation
• If we start the pattern of conduction at 30o, this gives us a conduction
pattern for the load current of: D1-4 D1-6 D3-6 D3-2 D5-2 D5-4 and return
again to D1-4 and D1-6 for the next phase sequence as shown.

70
 Three Phase Bridge Rectifier
2𝜋
6
• Average output voltage for one pulse (60o or ) is
given as 6
2/ 3
3 3 Vm
Vdc  3V msin t d t 


 2  / 3 1.654Vm

I dc  3 3 Vm 
 R
1.654V
R m
• Similarly rms value of load voltage for one pulse is given as
2 / 3
6 3  9 3 V  1.655
3Vm sin t d  t 
Vrms  2
/ 3
V
2 2 4 m
 I rms  1.655 Vm
m

R
• Peak Inverse Voltage of Diode is given as
PIV  71
 Three Phase Bridge Rectifier
Example 8 The 3-phase bridge rectifier is operated from 460 V 50 Hz
supply and the load resistance is R=20ohms. If the source inductance
is negligible, determine (a) The efficiency, (b) Form factor (c) Ripple
factor (d) Crest Factor (e) Peak inverse voltage (PIV) of each diode .

3 3 Vm
Vdc    1.654Vm
 621.226 V
3 3 Vm 1.654Vm
Idc   R  R  31.0613 A

Vrms 3 9  3 m  1.6554 Vm  621.752

 2 4 V V

1.6554 Vm
Irms  R  31.0876 A
 Example-8….
(a) The efficiency
P V I
 dc  dc dc  99.83
Pac Vrms Irms %
(b) Form factor

V
FF  Vrms 1.00084
dc

(c) Ripple factor

RF  FF 2 1
 0.04
(d)CF 3V
Crest Factor 650.55
m
 621.75 
 Vrms
(e) Peak inverse voltage (PIV) of each diode
1.04 PIV 3 Vm 
 Comparison of Diode Rectifiers
Single
Single Phase full Single 3 Phase 3 Phase
Performance Phase Wave phase full Star Bridge
Parameters Half Wave (Centre Wave Rectifier Rectifier
Rectifier Tap) (Bridge)

Efficiency (%) 40.6 81.2 81.2 96.7 99.83

Form Factor 1.57 1.11 1.11 1.01 1
Ripple Factor 1.21 0.48 0.48 0.18 0.04
TUF (%) 28.6 69.3 81.2 66.42 95.42
PIV
Crest Factor 2 1.414 1.414 1.19 1.04

73