ELEC4614

Power Electronics

University of New South Wales

School of Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications

Tutorial 3 Phase-controlled AC-DC Converters

1.

Derive the general expression for the DC output voltage of a p-pulse fully-controlled
converter, assuming continuous conduction and no overlap.

2.

Figure below shows a single-phase bridge DC supply to a large electromagnet installation,

such as the ones used for high temperature charged particle confinement chambers. The high
magnetic field implies a highly inductive load which keeps the load current smooth and
ripple-free. The AC supply voltage to the rectifier is 1414 V rms and the required magnet
current is 450 A. Calculate the firing angle required for this current.
[31.98]
If the magnetic field needs to be collapsed or brought down to zero quickly what would be
the smallest time, ignoring the overlap and the turn off time of the thyristors, in which this
would be possible?
[0.1536 sec]
R = 2.4
Vd

1414 V

Id

@ 50 Hz

L = 0.6 H

3.

A single-phase fully controlled thyristor bridge converter is supplied at 230 V, 50 Hz. The
supply source inductance is 0.9 mH/line. Neglecting the thyristor voltage drops and
assuming continuous conduction,
(i). plot a graph of load DC voltage Vd VS the firing angle for a load current of 35 A.
(ii). plot a graph of load DC voltage Vd VS load current IL up to 40 A DC for a firing
angle of = 30.
(iii). calculate the overlap angle for IL = 30 A and = 30.
[10.5]

4.

Compare the single-phase half-controlled and fully-controlled thyristor bridge converter

circuits in terms of their displacement, distortion, and power and factors. Assume the load
current to be smooth and ripple-free.

5.

A single-phase fully-controlled thyristor bridge converter is supplied from a 240V 50 Hz

supply.
(i) Calculate the power factor of the converter circuit at firing angles = 0 and 40,
when it supplies a smooth ripple free load current.
[0.9, 0.69]
(ii) Calculate the output DC voltage Vd when the firing angle = 135 and the overlap
angle is 10. Neglect thyristor voltage drops.
[- 164.9 V]
(iii) Plot the converter output voltage and one of the thyristor voltage waveforms for (ii).

Tutorial 3 Controlled AC-DC Rectifiers

F. Rahman/April 2010

ELEC4614

Power Electronics

6.

A three-phase, centre-tap converter has a free-wheeling diode across the load. Sketch the Vd
- characteristic of this converter and contrast this with the characteristic without the
freewheeling diode. Assume continuous conduction.

7.

A DC load requires control of Vd from maximum to 1/4 of the maximum value. If a half
controlled three-phase bridge is to be used, determine the current rating of the freewheeling
diode if the maximum load current is 20 A which is smooth and ripple free.
[14.14 A]

8.

A three-phase fully controlled bridge is supplied from a 415 V supply. Plot the Vd-
characteristic and sketch the load voltage waveforms at = 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and
150.

9.

A three-phase fully controlled bridge supplies a smooth DC load current IL =100A.

(i) Calculate the required RMS and average current ratings of the thyristors. [33A, 58A]
(ii) Calculate the rms values of the total supply AC current and the fundamental supply
[82 A, 78 A]
current.
The converter is supplied from a 380 V, 50 Hz supply. For a Vd of 400 V, calculate
(iii) the input VA to the converter.

[53.97 kVA]

(iv) the required firing angle.

[39]

(v) If the input AC voltage varies by 8%, calculate the range of variation of the firing
angle so that Vd is kept constant.
[12]
Problems 10 and 11 are excluded for 2010.
10. Consider the regenerative converter of figure below. The load current is kept at a constant
level of 20 A. For the operating condition shown in the circuit, calculate the converter output
voltage, the firing angle and the overlap angle .
[105, 26]

van

vo
iL

0.01 H

T1

ia
vbn 0.01 H

ib

0.01 H

ic

T3

T5

R = 1

Vd

Load
L = 0.3 H

230V, 50 Hz

T4

vcn

T6

T2

160 V

(i) Sketch one of the input line currents indicating the transitions during the overlap angle.
(ii) Sketch one of the line-line AC input voltages to the converter indicating the
commutation notches.

Tutorial 3 Controlled AC-DC Rectifiers

F. Rahman/April 2010

ELEC4614

Power Electronics

11. A three-phase fully-controlled converter is supplied from a 415V, 50 Hz supply which has
source inductance of 1.2 mH per line. The converter is operated as an inverter with a firing
angle = 150 when the maximum load current is 50 A. Assuming the thyristor drop to be
1.6 volts for this load current, calculate
(i)

the output DC voltage

(ii)

the overlap angle

[-544.72 V]
[8.47]

(iii) the available recovery angle for the thyristors

[21.53]

(iv) the maximum load current that can be commutated at the above firing, allowing for a
minimum recovery angle of 5.
[101.2 A]

Tutorial 3 Controlled AC-DC Rectifiers

F. Rahman/April 2010