Design of a Single-Phase Bridge Rectifier and a Single

Phase Uncontrolled Rectifier

Aminu Hamisu Kura, kuraamin@gmail.com
Mohd. Razali Baharon, mr.razali89@yahoo.com
Abstract - The Electronics power Converters are categorized in to various applications such as
Choppers, Rectifiers, and Inverters. In this assignment we are going to design and analysis of
a single-phase bridge rectifier and a single phase uncontrolled rectifier considering the effect
capacitance value on output voltages and line inductance value on output currents, shows and
discusses the results of the simulation using Matlab software for the models of the rectifier
that were constructed using the calculated values of components for capacitance at problem
one and for two different values of the source inductance at problem two. A single phase
bridge rectifier with pure resistive load only was first design with capacitance filter then, the
voltage output wave-form was analyzed, in order minimized the ripple factors as well as the
harmonics distortion a capacitor and inductor filter is design and in cooperated in the circuit
design for simulation until a less than five percentage ripple factor in dc output voltage is
achieved.
I. INTRODUCTION
According to the general concepts of Power Electronics Systems Rectifiers are the
equipment used for converting AC (from the mains or other Ac sources) to DC power by using
power diodes or thyristors respectively as uncontrolled or controlled rectifiers. There are many
types of rectifiers in terms of output voltage and current and the number of the phases .We can
also assume different rectifiers with different supply characteristics and different loads. Rectifier
as a power supply is fundamentally used for converting from one signal to another (i.e AC to
DC). Power diode may be arranged in different configuration to come up with a rectifier circuit.
The uncontrolled rectifier is build using power diode arranged as full-wave Bridge circuit where
four diode were arranged in such a way that two diode will be conducting at a time during each
half cycle.

During the first half cycle diode D1 and D3 will conduct (i.e forward biased) while diode
D2 and D4 will not conduct (i.e reversed biased) the condition will be reversed during the second
half cycle. An L and C filter is used for filtration of the ripple factor in the output current and
removal of the harmonics component from the output voltage. The source inductance changes
the circuit behavior by introducing the commutation which can be defined as the process of
transferring the load current from one diode or diode pair to another during which the voltage
across the source inductance Ls is the source voltage Vs. [1]
For this study, single phase uncontrolled rectifier with source inductance was designed and
simulated using Matlab software mainly to investigate the effect of the source inductances on the
output voltages and currents.
Objectives

To design and analyze a single phase bridge rectifier and non-isolated (without

transformer) single phase uncontrolled rectifier.

To compare the simulation results with calculated results.

Methodology
The first task is to make a voltage output that is purely dc or fulfill some specific dc
components. The designs started with hand calculation, were we first design for rectifier circuit
with resistive load only and capacitor for filtration purpose for less than 5% ripple factor which
is achieved.
In the Second design we calculate the value of the Resistance, which serve as load. then,
inductance known as the L filter that will be used in the uncontrolled rectifier circuit, then the
full-wave bridge rectifier circuit diagram was design using Matlab software and calculated
values of R and L were assign to the circuit diagram together with the line inductance and run for
simulation to see the nature of waveform as well as the percentage ripple factor to arrived at lessthan 5%. We have change the line inductance value in each case checking for ripple factor until
the less than 5% is achieved.

II. DESIGN CALCULATION AND CONSIDERATIONS

A. Problem 1
1) The first problem is related to single phase bridge rectifier with the following
specifications:
Input Supply: Single Phase

240 V rms

Frequency : 50 Hz
Load resistor,

R L=200

a) Solution
V m=V rms 2=(240) 2=339.4 V
Capacitor, C at Vripple (p-p) < 5%
Vo
Vdc

x 100% = 5%

Vdc = 0.318Vm = 0.318(339.4) = 107.93V

Vo

C=

= 0.05 x Vdc = 0.05(107.93) = 5.396V

Vm
Vo(Rf )

339.4
5.394 (200 x 50)

= 6.29mF

b) Solution
find Vdc
Vdc = RIdc
Idc =

vo

x fC = 2.3V (50 x 6.29mF) = 0.72A

hance
Vdc = RIdc = 200 (0.72) = 144.7V
c) Solution
DF = cos = cos 2.28 = 0.9987

HF =

Is
Is 1

1
0.9

PF =

Is 1
cos =0.9 cos 2.28=0.899
Is

CF =

Vm
Vrms =

=0.484

2 Vrms
Vrms

= 2

2) Simulation Result Simulation Result/ Observation

Fig (1) below show the design of single phase bridge rectifier for the value of
capacitance, C = 6.29mF created by using MATLAB/Simulink. The simulation result
of output voltage give an output ripple voltage of 2.13% as shown by a graph of
output voltage in fig (2) below.

Fig (1): Simulation model of single phase bridge rectifier

It can be seen from fig (2) that output voltage has a very small ripple which fulfils
our expectation from dc voltage which the value of Vmax = 337.5V and Vmin = 335.2V.
Average output voltage also has been examined for checking hand calculation and
also the specific ripple of voltage which was mentioned on this design criteria effect
of capacitor is completely obvious.

Output Voltage Ripple=

v max v min
337.5 v 335.2 v
100 =
100 =2.13
v dc
107.93 v

Fig (2): Output waveform for Output Voltage at C = 6.29mF

B. Problem 2
1) The second problem is related to design a non-isolated (without transformer) single phase
uncontrolled rectifier with the following specifications:
Input Supply: Single Phase

240 V rms

Frequency: 50 Hz
Line Inductance,
Output Power,

Ls=10 mH
Po=3 kW

V m=V rms 2=(240) 2=339.4 V

At

Ls=10 mH

X s=2 f Ls=2 ( 50 )( 0.01 ) =3.14

V o=

since

2Vm
I X
( 2 ) (339.4 ) (2 )( 3.14 ) I o
1 o s =

=216.072 I o

Vm

V o=

Po
Io

216.072 I o=
I o=91.67 A

3 103
Io

(will not be considered) or

I o=16.36 A

(considered)

Hence, V o=216.072 ( 16.36 )=183.35 V

R=

Then,

Lmin =

V o 183.35
=
=11.207
I o 16.36

R
R
11.207
=
=
=11.89 mH
3 3 2 f 3 314.16

L=11.89 mH 30 , where 30 is constant

L=356.69 mH

For the value of Line Inductance less than 10mH,

Ls=2.5 mH

X s=2 f Ls=2 (50)(0.0025)=0.0 .785

V o=

2Vm
I o X s ( 2 ) (339.4 ) (2 )( 0.785 ) I o
1
=

=216.070.5 I o and

Vm

V o=

Po
Io

3 10
216.070.5 I o =
Io
I o=417.78 A

(will not be considered) or

Hence, V o=216.070.5 ( 14.36 ) =208.89V

I o=14.36 A

(considered)

R=

Then,

Lmin =

V o 208.89
=
=14.55
I o 14.36

R
R
14.55
=
=
=14.44 mH
3 3 2 f 3 314.16

L=14.44 mH 30 , where 30 is constant

L=463.2mH

For the value of Line Inductance more than 10mH,

Ls=15.5 mH

X s=2 f Ls=2 (50)(0.0155)=4.87

V o=

2Vm
I X
( 2 ) (339.4 ) (2 )( 4.87 ) I o
1 o s =

=216.073.1 I o and

Vm

V o=

Po
Io

216.073.1 I o=

I o=50.56 A

3 103
Io

(will not be considered) or

Hence, V o=216.073.5 ( 19.14 ) =149.08V

Then,

Lmin =

R=

V o 149.08
=
=7.79
I o 19.14

R
R
7.79
=
=
=8.26 mH
3 3 2 f 3 314.16

I o=19.14 A (considered)

L=8.26 mH 30 , where 30 is constant

L=247.92 mH

Paramete
r
Ls
Vout

Value
2.5mH

208.89 V

14.36 A

Iout

10mH

15.5mH

183.35V

149.08V

16.36 A

19.14 A

14.55

11.207

7.79

463.2 mH

356.69 mH

247.92 mH

Table (1): List of single phase uncontrolled rectifier parameter value of 3 different line
inductance values be hand calculation.

From the table above, it can be observed that when the value of line inductance is
increased, it will increase the value of Iout. It is happen effect of the capability of
inductor size used to store the current flow from the source.

The value of Vout is decreased as well as the value of load resistance is decreased. It
shows that the value of Vout is directly proportional to the value of load resistance.

The value of inductance at the output load is decreased as well as the value of load
resistance is decreased.

3) Simulation Result/ Observation

Fig (3): Simulation model of non isolated (without transformer) single phase uncontrolled
rectifier.

Fig (3) above show the design of non isolated (without transformer) single phase
uncontrolled rectifier for the value of line inductance, L s = 10mH created by using
MATLAB/Simulink. The simulation result of output current give an output ripple
current of 10.57% as shown by a graph of output current in fig (4) below.
Output Current Ripple=

I max I min
16.9 A15.17 A
100 =
100 =10.57
Io
16.36 A

Fig (4): Output Current waveform for

For the value of Line Inductance less than 10mH,

output current for

Ls=2 .5 mH

Output Current Ripple=

: Fig (5) shows a graph of

I max I min
14.7 A13.66 A
100 =
100 =7.24
Io
14.36 A

For the value of Line Inductance more than 10mH,

of output current for

Ls=2 .5 mH

which give an output current ripple of 7.24%.

Fig (5): Output current waveform for

Ls=10 mH

Ls=15.5 mH

Ls=2.5 mH

Ls=15.5 mH

: Fig (6) shows a graph

which give an output current ripple of 13.25%.

Output Current Ripple=

I max I min
20.73 A18.14 A
100 =
100 =13.53
Io
19.14 A

Fig (6): Output current waveform for

Paramete

Ls=15.5 mH

Value

r
Ls

2.5mH

10mH

15.5mH

Imax

14.7A

16.9 A

20.73 A

Imin

13.66A

15.17

18.14

Iout
Iripple
%Iripple

1.04
0.0724
7.24%

1.73

2.59

0.1057
10.57

0.1353
13.53

3K

3K

3K

Pout

Table (2): List of single phase uncontrolled rectifier parameter value of 3 different line
inductance values simulated be using Matlab software.

When the value of Ls increased, it shows that the value of Imax and Imin is increased,
then it will determine that the Iout, simulated = Imax - Imin = is increased.

The current output ripple becomes higher when the Iout is increased.

To get %Iripple less than 5%, we assume that the value of line inductance should be less
than 2.5mH.

A graph of output power for all the three values of Ls equal to 10mH, 0.5mH and 15.5mH
are shown above in figure (4), (5) and (6) respectively. All of the three graphs give an output
power of 3kW.

III.

RESULTS DISCUSSION

In first problem, it has determine that the higher possible value of capacitance will give a
smaller output voltage ripple. It happen because an effect of using a capacitance that capability to
filter out the output volatge ripple become a smooth dc voltage line. The smaller size of capacitor
used will give a large number of output voltage ripple. The capacitor is used as rectifier in
purpose for converting AC source to DC source input supply.
In second problem, it was discovered that when the line inductance value was increased
above then it is allowed the inductor to store more current flowing the circuit and make the
output current is increased. When the output current is increased, it will increased the value of
output current ripple. In order to produce a smooth dc output line, the line inductance should be
has a smaller size value that will reduce the effect of unwanted ripple at output voltage. It means
the more the value of inductance in the line

the more the ripple factor, therefore if line

inductance can be as low as possible then, effect of ripple factor and harmonics distortion can be
controlled.

IV.

CONCLUSIONS

From the results and discussion and as expected from the theory, it is observed that the output
current of the rectifier is directly proportional to the source of inductance line which the higher the

value selected for the inductances line the higher the output current ripple . Besides, the ouput
voltage of the rectifier is inversely proportional to the capacitance value which the possible higher

the value selected for the capacitance the lower the output voltage ripple . The actual results from
the simulation of the output voltage, current and therefore output power are slightly lower the
calculated values, whereas the actual ripple is found to be of greater values.
V.

REFERENCES

[1] Daniel W. H, Power Electronics

[2] Rekha Singh, Electronic Devices and Integrated Circuits