CycloConverters

By Henry Isaac

Introduction
Cycloconverters convert ac signals of one frequency (usually line
frequency) to ac signals of variable frequency.
These variable frequency ac signals can then be used to directly
control the speed of ac motors.
Thyristor-based cycloconverters are typically used in low speed, high
power (multi-MW) applications for driving induction and wound field
synchronous motors.

The basic principle of cycloconversion is illustrated by the single phaseto-single phase converter shown below.

A positive center-tap thyristor converter is connected in anti-parallel

with a negative converter of the same type. This allows
current/voltage of either polarity to be controlled in the load.
The waveforms are shown on the next slide.

 An integral half-cycle output wave is created which has a

fundamental frequency
f0=(1/n) fi where n is the
number of input half-cycles per half-cycle of the output.
The thyristor firing angle can be fired according to the
output required.
Step-up frequency conversion It is achieved by
alternately switching high frequency switching devices to
generate carrier-frequency modulated output.

 An output phase wave is achieved by sinusoidal modulation of the

thyristor firing angles.

The input and output voltages are adjusted to be equal and the load
current can flow in either direction. Thus,

V0 Vd Vd 0 cos p Vd 0 cos n
where Vd0 is the dc output voltage of each converter at zero firing
angle and p and N are the input and output firing angles. For a 3
half-wave converter Vd0 =0.675VL and Vd0 = 1.35VL for the bridge
converter (VL is the rms line voltage)

The phase group of a cycloconverter can be operated in two modes:

1) Circulating current mode
2) Non-circulating current (blocking) mode
In the circulating current mode, the current continuously circulates
between the +ve and -ve converters. Although the fundamental
output voltage waves of the individual converters are equal, the
harmonics will cause potential difference which will result in shortcircuits without an IGR.
The inclusion of an IGR leads to self-induced circulating current.