Unit 2: Single Phase Fully Controlled Converters:

Introduction
Half controlled converter has an output voltage
varying from positive maximum to zero. Its
operation is confined only in first quadrant.
In half wave circuits, the input converter has a large
dc component since the current flow is
unidirectional.
Also in this converters only one pulse of load
current is produced during one cycle of source
voltage. Hence can be termed as single phase one
pulse converter.
The above disadvantage of single phase half wave is
minimized by use of single phase full wave
converter.
Single phase Full wave converter is also called as
single phase two pulse converter.
Types:
1. Single phase full wave Mid-point converter(M-2
connection)
2. Single phase full wave bridge converter (B-2
connections)
1. Single phase full wave Mid-point converter(M-2
connection)
Is made up of two single phase converters feeding
the same load
A converter transformer contain midpoint
secondary winding.
A load is connected between the center tap of
secondary winding and common cathode point of
two thyristors making up the converter.
Single phase full wave Mid-point converter with R-
Load.
Circuit diagram is as shown below
During +ve half cycle:
𝜔𝑡 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋
Point A is positive w.r.t point B, T1=forward biased.
If T1 is fired at an angle 𝛼 current would flow
through A-T1-R-0. this current continuous to flow up
to the angle 𝜔𝑡=𝜋.
At 𝜔𝑡=𝜋, supply voltage Vs and load voltage
V0=zero, current through T1=0
Therefore thyristor T1 is turned off by line or natural
commutation
During -ve half cycle:
𝜔𝑡 = 𝜋 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜔𝑡 = 2𝜋
Point B is positive w.r.t point A, T2=forward biased.
If T2 is fired at an angle 𝜔𝑡=𝜋+𝛼 current would flow
through B-T2-R-0. this current continuous to flow up
to the angle 𝜔𝑡=2𝜋.
At 𝜔𝑡=2𝜋, Vs (supply voltage) and V0 (Load
Voltage)=zero, current through T2=0
Therefore thyristor T2 is turned off by line or natural
commutation
Assumption: Both T1 and T2 are triggered at same
firing angle and hence they share equal load.
Voltage and current waveform is as shown below
1. Average output voltage
1 𝜋
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡𝑑𝜔𝑡
𝜋 𝛼
𝑉𝑚
= 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 … … . . 1
𝜋
2. Average load current
𝑉𝑑𝑐 𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑑𝑐 = = [1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼]………(2)
𝑅 𝜋𝑅
3. The r.m.s load voltage
𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛼
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝜋−𝛼 + ……..(3)
2𝜋 2
4. r.m.s load current
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛼
𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = = 𝜋−𝛼 + ……..(4)
𝑅 𝑅 2𝜋 2
Example 1:
A single phase full wave controlled converter is
supplied at 220 V, 50 Hz. Determine the average load
when the firing angle is 45° for purely resistive load.
Assignment
Single Phase Full Wave Midpoint converter with RL
Load, Freewheeling diode, RLE load (Circuit diagram,
wave form etc)
2. Single phase full wave bridge converter (B-2
connections)
In midpoint-center tap is required.
By using bridge configuration we can avoid the
transformer requirement.
Requires four thyristors
Operates either in first quadrant or fourth quadrant
and hence called two quadrant converter or fully
controlled converter
Circuit diagram is as shown below
Positive Half cycle
T1 and T2= forward biased
A𝑡 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼; firing pulse is given to thyristor T1 and T2
as shown in figure.
Current flows through path Ph-T1-A-R-B-T2-N
At 𝜔𝑡=π, supply voltage and load voltage=zero
The instant after 𝜔𝑡=π, the supply voltage reverse
and Thyristors T1 and T2 are turned off by line
commutation.
During the interval 𝜔𝑡=𝛼 and 𝜔𝑡=π, load voltage
=source voltage because load is directly connected
to the source through T1 and T2
Negative Half cycle
T3 and T4= forward biased
A𝑡 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼+𝜋; firing pulse is given to thyristor T3
and T4 as shown in figure.
Current flows through path N-T3-A-R-B-T4-Ph
At 𝜔𝑡=2π, supply voltage and load voltage=zero
The instant after 𝜔𝑡=2π, the supply voltage reverse
and Thyristors T3 and T4 are turned off by line
commutation.
During the interval 𝜔𝑡=𝛼+ π and 𝜔𝑡=2π, load
voltage =source voltage because load is directly
connected to the source through T3 and T4
Wave form is as shown below
1. Average output voltage
1 𝜋
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡𝑑𝜔𝑡
𝜋 𝛼
𝑉𝑚
= 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 … … . . 1
𝜋
2. Average load current
𝑉𝑑𝑐 𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑑𝑐 = = [1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼]………(2)
𝑅 𝜋𝑅
3. The r.m.s load voltage
𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛼
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝜋−𝛼 + ……..(3)
2𝜋 2
4. r.m.s load current
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛼
𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = = 𝜋−𝛼 + ……..(4)
𝑅 𝑅 2𝜋 2
Assignment:
Bridge converter with RL load, RLE load (ckt diagram,
waveform etc.)
Compare full controlled bridge rectifier and half
controlled bridge rectifier
Effect of source Impedance on the performance of
converters.
The input source impedance is important for the
input transformer or for the load impedance
connected to the converter.
Impedance are normally predominantly inductive
The impedance of a fully controlled bridge converter
is shown in figure below.
If the source impedance is
purely resistive then commutation of thyristors may be
considered as instantaneous.

Purely inductive and large process of commutation of

current from one thyristor to the other is modifier.
Commutation process may take some time , during
which both the incoming and outgoing thyristors
conduct simultaneously. This period is called
commutation overlapping period
Figure: circuit diagram
Figure: Equivalent circuit
Figure: Current and voltage waveform
During +ve half cycle:
Current path=Ph-Ls-T1-Load-T2-N (shown as V1, Ls, T1,
T2, Load in figure of equivalent circuit)
During –ve half cycle:
Current path=N-T3-Load-T4-Ph (shown as V2, Ls,T3,T4
and load in figure of equivalent circuit)
Initially assume that T3 and T4 pair is conducting.
When T1 and T2 are triggered at the firing angle "𝛼,
the current increases slowly from zero due to
source impedance, transferring the current from T3,
T4 pair.
T3 T4 slowly decreases to zero from its initial value
Idc.
at the same time incoming thyrsistors T1 and T2
build up gradually to full value load current Idc.
This change takes place during the overlap period
and the angle is called overlap angle "𝜇".
As all thyrsistors are conducting during this period,
Vs is absent and VL=0.
From figure it is clear that a part of load voltage is
lost, which would otherwise be present if there is
no source inductance.
During the overlap angle 𝜇, KVL for the loop PQRSP in
figure equivalent circuit is given by
𝑑𝑖 𝑇1 𝑑𝑖 𝑇2
𝑉1 − 𝐿𝑠 = 𝑉2 − 𝐿𝑠
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑖 𝑇1 𝑑𝑖 𝑇2
𝑉1 − 𝑉2 = 𝐿𝑠 − 𝐿𝑠
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑖 𝑇1 𝑑𝑖 𝑇2
𝑉1 − 𝑉2 = 𝐿𝑠 −
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
We know that
𝑉1 = 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡
𝑉2 = −𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡
𝑉1 − 𝑉2 = 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡 + 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡 = 2𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡

𝑑𝑖 𝑇1 𝑑𝑖 𝑇2
∴ 2𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡 = 𝐿𝑠 − … … . (1)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
Assume load current is constant
𝑖 𝑇1 + 𝑖 𝑇2 = 𝑖𝑑𝑐
Or
𝑑𝑖 𝑇1 𝑑𝑖 𝑇2
+ = 0 … … … (2)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
From equation (1)

𝑑𝑖 𝑇1 𝑑𝑖 𝑇2 2𝑉𝑚
− = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡 … … . (3)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝐿𝑠
Adding (2) and (3)
2𝑑𝑖 𝑇1 2𝑉𝑚
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡
𝑑𝑡 𝐿𝑠
𝑑𝑖 𝑇1 𝑉𝑚
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡 … … … … … … . . (4)
𝑑𝑡 𝐿𝑠
During overlap period, load current iT1 builds up from
zero to Idc through thyristors T1 and T2.
At 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼; 𝑖 𝑇1 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝜔𝑡 = 𝛼 + 𝜇; 𝑖 𝑇1 = 𝐼𝑑𝑐
∴ from equation (4)
𝐼𝑑𝑐
𝑉𝑚 𝛼+𝜇
𝑑𝑖 𝑇1 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡𝑑𝜔𝑡
0 𝜔𝐿𝑠 𝛼
Or
𝑉𝑚
𝐼𝑑𝑐 = cosα − cos 𝛼 + 𝜇 … … … 5
𝜔𝐿𝑠
∴ average output voltage Vdc is given by

𝛼+𝜋
𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡𝑑𝜔𝑡
𝜋 𝛼+𝜇
𝑉𝑚
= [cos(𝛼 + 𝜇) − cos(𝛼 + 𝜋)
𝜋
𝑉𝑚
= [cos 𝛼 + 𝜇 + cos 𝛼 … … … (6)
𝜋
From equation (5)
𝜔𝐿𝑠
cos(𝛼 + 𝜇)= cos 𝛼 − 𝐼𝑑𝑐
𝑉𝑚
Using this value in equation (6)
𝑉𝑚 𝜔𝐿𝑠
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = cos 𝛼 − 𝐼𝑑𝑐 + cos 𝛼
𝜋 𝑉𝑚

2𝑉𝑚 𝜔𝐿𝑠
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = cos 𝛼 − 𝐼𝑑𝑐 … … . . 7
𝜋 𝜋
Again from equation (5)
𝜔𝐿𝑠
cos 𝛼 = cos 𝛼 + 𝜇 + 𝐼𝑑𝑐
𝑉𝑚
Using this value in equation (6)
𝑉𝑚 𝜔𝐿𝑠
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = cos 𝛼 + 𝜇 + 𝐼𝑑𝑐 + cos 𝛼 + 𝜇
𝜋 𝑉𝑚

2𝑉𝑚 𝜔𝐿𝑠
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = cos 𝛼 + 𝜇 + 𝐼𝑑𝑐 … … . . 8
𝜋 𝜋
With the help of equation (7), a dc equivalent circuit
for a two –pulse, single phase full converter can be
drawn as shown in figure below
In above figure, diode indicates load current is
unidirectional, the voltage drop due to source
impedance Ls is proportional to Idc and L
Thus as the load current increases the
commutation interval increases and as a result
average output voltage decreases ( shown in figure)
Example:
A single phase fully controlled bridge converter is
supplied at 230 V, 50 Hz with source inductance of 2
mH. Determine the load voltage neglecting the
resistance voltage drop, when the converter is
operating at a firing angle of 45° and load current is
constant at 10A.
Solution:
𝜋
Vrms=230 V; Vm=230x 2; α = 45° = ; 𝐿𝑠 =
4
2𝑥10−3 𝐻
 2𝑉𝑚 𝜔𝐿𝑠
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = cos 𝛼 − 𝐼𝑑𝑐
𝜋 𝜋
2 2𝑥230
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = cos 45 −
𝜋
314𝑥2𝑥10−3 𝑥10
𝜋
= 144.49 𝑉
 2𝑉𝑚 𝜔𝐿𝑠
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = cos 𝛼 + 𝜇 + 𝐼𝑑𝑐
𝜋 𝜋

𝜇=6.315°
The load resistance
𝑉𝑑𝑐 140
R= = = 28Ω
𝐼𝑑 5
2. A single phase full converter is connected to ac
supply of 330 𝑠𝑖𝑛314𝑡 volt and 50 Hz. It operates
with a firing angle 𝛼 = 45°. The total load current is
maintained constant at 5 A and the load voltage is
140 V. Find the source inductance, angle of overlap
and the load resistance.
 2𝑉𝑚 𝜔𝐿𝑠
𝑉𝑑𝑐 = cos 𝛼 − 𝐼𝑑𝑐
𝜋 𝜋
2𝑥230 314𝑥2𝑥5𝑥𝐿𝑠
140= cos 45
−
𝜋 𝜋
𝐿𝑠 = 17.25mH
References:
1. “Power Electronics (Circuit, Devices and
Applications)” 3rd Edition. Muhammad H. Rashid.
2. “Power Electronics” Dr. P S Bhimbra
3. “Power Electronics” Vedam Subrahmanyam
4. “Power Electronics” S.Sirvanagaraju,M Balasubba
Reddy, A.Mallikarjuna Prasad