EEK 471 LAB 6

Universiti Sains Malaysia Electrical Engineering Department Advanced Power Electronic Laboratory EEK471

Thyristor Single-Phase Bridge Rectifier

OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the operation of a thyristor single-phase bridge in both rectifier.

INTRODUCTION Thyristor single-phase bridge The thyristor single-phase bridge (Figure 1) operates on the same principle as the diode singlephase bridge rectifier, except that each thyristor begins to conduct only when a current pulse is injected into the gate (providing that the thyristor is forward biased). Once a thyristor begins to conduct, it continues to conduct until the current flowing through it becomes zero. With a resistive load, the current becomes zero the instant the ac source voltage ES passes through zero volts. Therefore, the output is a full-wave rectified voltage which is always positive (Figure 2(b)).

Figure 1: Thyristor single-phase bridge.

Since conduction can be initiated at any angle in the waveform between 0 and almost1 80', the average output voltage EO, and therefore the average current can be varied between 0 and 100%. The following equation gives the value of the average output voltage EO as a function of the firing angle. This equation is valid only when conduction is continuous that is, when the on-time of the thyristors corresponds to 180'. EO = 0.9 ES cos where ES is the voltage of the source [V ac] is the firing angle in degrees.

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Figure 2: Output waveforms for a thyristor bridge.

When the load is inductive, the output voltage can be negative for part of the cycle, as shown in Figure 2(c). This is because an inductor stores energy in its magnetic field which is later released. Current continues to flow, and the same thyristors continue to conduct, until all the stored energy is released. Since this occurs some time after the ac source voltage passes through zero, the output voltage becomes negative for part of cycle. The negative part of the output voltage waveform reduces the average output voltage EO. As seen the previous exercise, a free-wheeling diode can be placed in the circuit to prevent the output voltage from going negative (Figure 3). When the output voltage begins to go negative, the free-wheeling diode conducts. This maintains the output voltage at approximately zero while the energy stored in the inductor is released. The output voltage waveform is the same as for a purely resistive load (Figure 2(b)), and the average output voltage is therefore greater than it would be without the free-wheeling diode. The addition of a free-wheeling diode makes the output current waveform smoother.

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Figure 3: Thyristor single-phase bridge with free-wheeling diode.

EQUIPMENTS EMS 8821 Enclosure Power Supply EMS 8840-0A PE Power Supply EMS 8841-2A Power Thyristor Module EMS 9030-30 Thyristor Firing Unit EMS 8425 Lab-Volt AC Ammeter EMS 8426 Lab-Volt AC Voltmeter EMS 8412-05 Lab-Volt DC Voltmeter/Ammeter EMS 8311 Variable Resistance EMS 8325 Smoothing Inductor EMS 9056-15 and EMS 9056-05 Voltage/Current Isolator 24V AC Power Switch Textronic Oscilloscope Connection Leads

WARNINGS The voltages and currents that are used during this lab are larger and rated at 240VAC Line-toNeutral with current as high as 20 amps (or higher if circuits are improperly connected). Please take the proper precautions and use your head before touching any circuitry. NEVER change any circuit connections while the power supply is turned on. Ask the demonstrator to check your connections before turning on the switches. And follow the rating of voltmeters and ammeters given to prevent equipments from damaged.

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Experiment: Part I Controlled bridge supplying a passive load 1. In this part, you will observe the operation of a controlled bridge supplying a passive load, with both a resistive and an inductive load. Set up the circuit of Figure 1a using the resistive load Z1(a). To simplify connecting thyristors, set the interconnection switches on the front panel of the Power Thyristor module to the 1 position.

Figure 1a: Thyristor bridge circuit.

2. Set the 24V ac power switch to the 1 (ON) position. The POWER ON LED on the Power THYRISTOR module should light up to indicate that the module is correctly powered. 3. Make the following settings on the Thyristor Firing Unit ANGLE CONTROL COMPLEMENT ANGLE CONTROL ARC COSINE DC SOURCE FIRING CONTROL MODE 0 0 Minimum 1~

4. Use the setting for parameters as in Table 1a. Set the main power switch to 1 (ON), and set the voltage control knob to only 50(%). Table 1a: Parameters setting I2 dc (A) i1 (A) E1 dc (V) e1 (V) 1.5 5 300 600

Line Voltage (V) 0 - 240

I1 ac (A) 1.5

Z1(a) R=240

Z1(b) R=240 L=0.8 H

5. Set the FIRING ANGLE to 45 and sketch the voltage and current waveforms in Figure 1b. Fill in the first row of Table 1b.

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Figure 1b: Voltage and current waveforms ( = 45).

Load Z1 (a) Resistive (b) Inductive

E1 dc (V)

Table 1b: Results I1 dc (A) PO = E1 X I1 (watt)

Conduction Angle ()

6. Set the voltage control knob to the 0 % position, set the main power switch to the 0 position and turn OFF the power supply. Explain the operation of this circuit. 7. Change the load in the circuit to the inductive load Z 1(b) as in Figure 1c. Repeat the procedure steps necessary to complete Table 1b and Figure 1b.

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Figure 1c: Z1(b) connection. 8. Set the voltage control knob to the 0 % position, set the main power switch to the 0 position and turn OFF the power supply. Explain the operation of this circuit. 9. What is the difference between this rectifier circuit and the full-wave rectifier circuit. Explain the effect of an inductive load on the voltage and current waveforms and on the conduction angle.

REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. In what direction is active power transferred by a bridge operating in the rectifier mode? 2. What is the role of the inductor in the bridge rectifier circuit.