Diode rectifiers

- A rectifier is a circuit that converts an ac signal into a unidirectional signal.

- A rectifier is a type of ac-dc converter.
Rectifiers are classified according to type of input supply:

ƒ Single phase rectifiers

ƒThree phase rectifiers
Single phase rectifier
ƒ Single phase half-wave rectifiers
ƒ Single phase full-wave rectifiers
Single phase half-wave rectifiers classified according to load:
1-Resistive load
2 RL load
a- Without free wheeling diode
b- With free wheeling diode
3- EMF load
Performance parameters of a rectifier

Average output (load) voltage, Vdc

Average output (load) current, Idc

Output dc power Pdc=Vdc Idc

rms value of the output voltage, Vrms

rms value of the output current, Irms

Output ac power Pac=Vrms Irms

Pdc
Efficiency (or rectification ratio) of a rectifier: η=
Pac
 The output voltage can be considered as composed of 2 components:
(1) the dc value and (2) the ac component or ripple.

- The ripple voltage Vac = Vrms

2
− Vdc2
Vrms
- The form factor is a measure of the shape of output voltage: FF =
Vdc
- The ripple factor is a measure of the ripple content:
2
Vac ⎛ Vrms ⎞
RF =
Vdc
or RF = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ − 1 = FF 2 − 1
⎝ Vdc ⎠
Pdc
- The transformer utilization factor is defined as TUF =
Vs I s

Vs and Is are the rms voltage and current of the transformer secondary respectively
- Crest factor: a measure of peak input current Is(peak) w.r.t. its rms value Is,
I s ( peak )
CF =
Is
 Half-wave rectifier supplying a resistive load

Figure 1

1 π
Vdc = ∫ Vm sin(ωt ) dωt
2π 0
V
= m ( − cos π + cos( 0))
2π
V
= m
π
π
1 Vm
Vrms = ∫ m
V ω t dω t =
2
( sin )
2π 0
2
Vm Vm
I dc = I rms =
πR 2R
 Vm Vm
*
Pdc V *I π πR
η= = dc dc = = 40.53%
Pac Vrms * I rms Vm Vm
*
2 2R

Vm
Vrms 2 π
FF = = = = 1.57
Vdc Vm 2
π
Vac
RF = = FF 2 − 1 = 1.57 2 − 1 = 1.211
Vdc

Peak reverse (inverse) voltage (PIV) of diode D1 is Vm

Is(peak)=Vm/R and Is=0.5Vm/R. The CF of the input current is CF=Is(peak)/Is=1/0.5=2

 Half-wave rectifier supplying an RL load

Without free-wheeling diode

β
I dc = Vdc / R

Figure 2
β
Due to inductive load, the
conduction period of diode D1
extends beyond π (until the current
equals zero at ωt = π+σ).

The average voltage across the inductor is zero.

Vm π +σ Vm π +σ Vm
Vdc = ∫ sin ϖtd (ωt ) = [− cos ωt ]0 = [1 − cos(π + σ )]
2π 0 2π 2π
During on period :
dI
Vm sin ωt = IR + L ⇒ (incorporates steady state + transient solutions )
dt
R
−1 ωL
Vm − t
I SS = sin(ωt − φ ) as φ = tan & I ts = A.e L
Z R
R
V − t
IS = Io = Iss + I ts = m sin(ωt − φ) + A.e L
Z
Vm
from initial conditions : IS = 0 at t = 0 ∴ A = sin φ
Z
R
For τ = <<, (highly inductive loads ) ⇒ β ≅ π + φ , i : e : σ ≅ φ
L

Disadvantages:
1. Discontinuous current
2. High ripple content (FF>1)
3. Presence of DC component in supply circuit.
With free-wheeling diode
- It can be noted from equation (1) that the average voltage (and load current) can be
increased by making σ=0, which is possible by adding a freewheeling diode Dm as shown
in Figure 3 with dashed lines.

Figure 3
-Diode “Dm” prevents appearing of
negative voltage across the load.

-At ωt = π the current from D1 is

transferred to Dm ; this process is
called commutation of diodes .

- The load current i0 is discontinuous Vm Vm

with resistive loads and continuous Vdc = , I dc =
with highly inductive loads. π πR
 For highly inductive loads, the current doesn’t reach zero, instead, the
current lies between two border values after a few cycles of transients.

πR
−
V 1+ e ωL
I max = ( m sin φ )[ 2π R
]
Z −
1 − e ωL
πR
& −
I min = I max .e ωL

During on period : 0 → π , 2π → 3π , 4π → 5π ,.........

R
dI Vm − t
Vm sin ωt = IR + L ⇒ i = sin(ωt − φ ) + A.e L
dt Z
 EMF load

If output is connected to a battery, rectifier operates as battery charger.

Figure 4

For vs>E, diode D1

conducts. The angle α at
which diode starts
conduction can be found
as follows:
E
Vm sin α = E ⇒ α = sin −1
Vm

Diode D1 is turned off when vs<E at β = π − α

The charging current io can be found from: i = v s − E = Vm sin ωt − E For α<ωt<β
o
R R
Example: The battery voltage in figure 4 is E=12V and its capacity is 100Wh.
The average charging current should be Idc=5A. The primary input voltage
is Vp=120 V, 60 Hz, and the transformer has a turn ratio of n=2:1. Calculate:
(a) Conduction angle δ of the diode,
(b) Current limiting resistance R,
(c) Power rating PR of R
(d) Charging time ho in hours,
(e) Rectifier efficiency η,
(f) PIV of the diode.

Solution
Vp 120
E = 12V V p = 120V Vs = = = 60V
n 2
Vm = 2 Vs = 2 × 60 = 84.85V

12
(a) α = sin −1 = 8.13 o
84.85
β = 180 − 8.13 = 171.87 o
δ = β − α = 171.87 − 8.13 = 163.74 o
 1 β V m sin ω t − E
2π ∫α
(b) I dc = d (ω t )
R
1
I dc = ( 2V m cos α + 2 E α − π E ), For β=π-α
2π R

Which gives
1
R= ( 2V m cos α + 2 E α − πE )
2πI dc
1
R= ( 2 × 84 .85 × cos 8 .13 o + 2 × 12 × 0 .1419 − π × 12 ) = 4 .26 Ω
2π × 5
1 β (Vm sin ωt − E ) 2
I = d (ωt )
(c) 2π ∫α
2
rms
R 2

1 ⎡⎛ V 2
⎞ V 2
⎤
I rms =
2
⎜
2 ⎢⎜
m
+ E ⎟⎟(π − 2α ) +
2 m
sin 2α − 4Vm E cos α ⎥
2πR ⎣⎝ 2 ⎠ 2 ⎦
I rms
2
= 67.4 A
I rms = 67.4 = 8.2
The power rating of R is,
PR = 8.2 2 × 4.26 = 286.4W

(d) The power delivered Pdc to the battery is

Pdc = EI dc = 12 × 5 = 60W
ho Pdc = 100
100 100
ho = = = 1.667h
Pdc 60

(e) The rectifier efficiency is

power delivered to the battery

η=
total input power
Pdc 60
η= = = 17.32%
Pdc + PR 60 + 286.4

(f) The peak inverse voltage PIV of the diode is

PIV = Vm + E = 84.85 + 12 = 96.85V
 Single-phase full-wave rectifiers

-A full-wave rectifier circuit with a center-tapped transformer is shown in figure 5.

-Each half of the transformer with its associated diode acts as a half-wave rectifier
and the output of a full-wave rectifier is shown in figure 6. To get the same output
as bridge rectifier, the source voltage should be doubled.
1 π 2Vm
π∫
The average output voltage is: Vdc = Vm sin ωt dt = = 0.6366Vm
o π

VS = 2Vm sin ωt

Figure 5
Figure 6
 Bridge rectifier:

During the positive half cycle of the input voltage, the power is supplied to
the load through diodes D1 and D2.

During the negative cycle, free-wheeling diodes D3 and D4 conduct.

Vo
(Vo ) n.l .

Ha
1 lf-w
av
ew
ith

Fu
fre

ll-w
e-w
he

av
eli

e
ng

br
dio

idg
de
0 Io X o

e
0 1 2 Vm

Figure 7
Figure 8
 π
1 Vm 2V
Vdc =
π ∫ Vm sin(ωt ) dωt =
0
2π
( − cos π + cos( 0)) = m = 0.6366Vm
π

Vdc 0.6366Vm
I dc = =
R R
π
1 Vm
V rms = ∫ V ω t d ωt = = 0 .707 V m
2
( sin )
π
m
0 2

0.707Vm
I rms =
R
 0.6366Vm
0.6366 Vm *
Pdc V *I R
η= = dc dc = = 81%
Pac Vrms * I rms 0.707Vm
0.707Vm *
R

Vrms 0.707Vm
FF = = = 1.11
Vdc 0.6366Vm

Vac
RF = = FF 2 − 1 = 1.112 − 1 = 0.482
Vdc

Is(peak)=Vm/R and Is=0.707Vm/R.

The CF of the input current is CF=Is(peak)/Is=1/0.707= 2

Single-phase Full-wave rectifier with RLE load

Figure 9

Figure 10
 If vs=Vm sin ωt is the input voltage, the load current io can be found from:

dio
L + Rio + E = 2Vm sin ωt for io ≥ 0
dt
Which has a solution of the form

2Vm −( R / L )t E
io = sin(ωt − θ ) + A1e −
Z R
Where

Z = R 2 + (ωL) 2

ωL
θ = tan −1
R
Vs is the rms value of the input voltage
 Case 1 continuous load current
A1 in equation 3 can be determined from the condition: at ωt=π, io=Io.

⎛ E 2Vm ⎞ ( ωRπL )
A1 = ⎜⎜ I o + − sin θ ⎟⎟e , Substitution of A1 in equation 3 yields:

⎝ R Z ⎠
2Vm ⎛ E 2Vm ⎞ [ ωRL (π −ωt )] E
io = sin(ωt − θ ) + ⎜⎜ I o + − sin θ ⎟⎟e −
Z ⎝ R Z ⎠ R

At steady-state: io(ωt=0)=io(ωt=π). ⇒ io(ωt=π)=Io.

πR
−( )
2Vm 1+ e ωL
E
Io = sin θ πR
−
Z −( ) R
1− e ω L
After substituting Io in equation 4 and simplification:

2Vm ⎡ 2 −( R / L )t ⎤ E
io = sin(ω t − θ ) + sin θ e −
Z ⎢⎣ 1 − e ( − R / L )(π / ω ) ⎥⎦ R
 Case 2 discontinuous load current

The load current flows only during the period α ≤ ωt ≤ β.

Define x=E/Vm As (EMF) is constant, diodes start to conduct at ωt=α

E
α = sin −1 = sin −1 ( x)
Vm
At ωt=α, io(ωt)=0 and equation 3 gives

⎛E 2Vm ⎞ ( RωαL )
A1 = ⎜⎜ − sin(α − θ ) ⎟⎟e
⎝R Z ⎠
Which, after substituting in equation 1, yields the load current

2Vs ⎛E 2Vs ⎞ [ ωRL (α −ωt )] E

io = sin(ωt − θ ) + ⎜⎜ − sin(α − θ ) ⎟⎟e −
Z ⎝R Z ⎠ R
To solve for io, assume initially the current is continuous and proceed with
the solution. If the assumption is not correct, the load current is considered
equal to zero (discontinuous current equation), and β is found accordingly.
 Fourier analysis of single-phase full-wave rectifier output:
∞
Vo (t ) = Vdc + ∑ (an cos nωt + bn sin nωt )
n =1, 2 ,3,..

Even function β ⇒ bn=0 & repetitive every π ⇒ n=2,4,6,8,….

∞
Vo (t ) = Vdc + ∑ an cos nωt
n = 2 , 4 , 6 ,....

1 2π 1π 2Vm
Vdc = ∫ m
V sin ωt .dω t = ∫ V sin ωt .dω t =
2π 0 π0 m π
1 2π 4Vm
an = ∫ Vm sin ωt. cos nωt.dt = − , n = 2,4,6,8,....., ∞
π 0 π (n − 1)(n + 1)

2Vm 4Vm 4V
Vo (t ) = − cos 2ωt − m cos 4ωt − ..........
π 3π 15π
The second harmonic (with frequency 2f is dominant)
3 Phase half-wave rectifier

To get source current Ia or Ib or Ic

→ → → → 2 2 2 2
I Load = I a + I b + I c ⇒ I Load _ rms = I a + I b + I c = 3 I a = 3 I source
I Load Vm
∴ I source = =
3 3 RLoad

Disadvantages:
1. DC current component in supply
2. Low source power-factor
(poor utilization:1/3 cycle diode operation).
3. Peak inverse voltage of diodes = line voltage
 π /3 π
V dc =
2
∫ V m cos ω t d ( ω t ) = V m
3
[sin ω t ]π0 /3
= Vm
3
sin = 0 . 827 V m
2π / 3 0 π π 3

V dc 0 . 827 V m
I dc = =
R R
1
π
⎡ 3 ⎡ωt ⎤
1
sin 2 ω t ⎤
/3 2
⎡ 2 π /3 ⎤ 2
V rms = ⎢ ∫ V ω t d (ω t ) ⎥ = Vm ⎢ ⎢ + ⎥
2 2
cos ⎥⎦
⎣ 2π / 3 π
m
0
⎦ ⎣⎢ ⎣ 2 4 0 ⎦⎥
1
⎡ 3 ⎛π 1 2π ⎞ ⎤ 2
0 . 84068 V
V rms = Vm ⎢ ⎜ + sin ⎟⎥ = 0 . 84068 V m I = m
⎣ 2 π ⎝ 3 2 3 ⎠⎦ rms
R
0 . 827 V m
0 . 827 V m *
Pdc V * I dc R
η = = dc = = 96 . 77 %
Pac V rms * I rms 0 . 84068 V m
0 . 84068 V m *
R
V rms 0 . 84068 V m
FF = = = 1 . 0165
V dc 0 . 827 V m
V ac
RF = = FF 2
−1 = 1 . 0165 2
− 1 = 0 . 1824
V dc
Pdc Vdc I dc
Transformer utilization factor (T.U.F.) = = = 0.6647
Psource 3VS I S
Three phase Bridged Rectifier
The diode behaves as a window,
permitting the load to “see” the
available line voltage.

Advantages:
1. Bi-directional source current;
(no source dc component)
1. Higher diodes utilization
2. Higher source power-factor
The average output voltage is found from:
2 π
V dc = ∫0 6 3V m cos ω t d ω t
2π / 6
3 3
= V m = 1 . 654 V m
π

Where Vm the peak phase voltage.

 The rms output voltage is:
1 1
⎡ 2 π
⎤ 2 ⎛3 9 3⎞ 2
V rms = ⎢ ∫ V ω t d ω t = ⎜⎜ + ⎟ V m= 1.6554V m
6 2 2
3 cos ⎥⎦ ⎟
⎣ 2π / 6 0 ⎝ 2 4π ⎠
m

If the load is purely resistive, the peak current through a diode is: I m = 3Vm / R

The rms value of the diode current is:

1 1
⎡ 4 6 I 2 cos 2 ω t d ω t ⎤
π 2 ⎡1 ⎛π 1 2π ⎞ ⎤ 2
Id = ⎢ ∫0 m ⎥⎦ = Im ⎢ ⎜ + sin ⎟⎥ = 0 . 5518 I m
⎣ 2π ⎣π ⎝6 2 6 ⎠⎦

The rms value of the transformer secondary current:

1 1
⎡ 8 π6 2 ⎤ 2 ⎡ 2 ⎛π 1 2π ⎞⎤ 2
I s = ⎢ ∫0 I m cos 2 ωt dωt ⎥ = I m ⎢ ⎜ + sin ⎟⎥ = 0.7804 I m
⎣ 2π ⎦ ⎣π ⎝ 6 2 6 ⎠⎦
Example 2: A three phase bridge rectifier has a purely resistive load of R
ohms. Determine (a) The efficiency, (b) Form factor, (c) Ripple factor,(d) the
TUF, (e) the peak inverse voltage of each diode, and (f) the peak current
through a diode. The rectifier delivers Idc=60A at output voltage Vdc=280.7V
and the source frequency is 60Hz.

2 π 3 3
V dc = ∫ V ω t d ω t = V m = 1 . 654 V m
6
3 cos
2π / 6 π
m
0

1 1
⎡ 2 π
⎤ 2 ⎛3 9 3⎞ 2
V rms = ⎢ ∫ m V ω t d ω t = ⎜⎜ + ⎟ V m= 1 .6554 V m
6 2 2
3 cos ⎥⎦ ⎟
⎣ 2π / 6 0 ⎝ 2 4π ⎠

1 . 6554 V m
I rms =
R
 1 .654 V m
1 .654 V m *
Pdc V *I R
η= = dc dc = = 99 .83 %
Pac V rms * I rms 1 .6554 V m
1 .6554 V m *
R

Vrms 1.6554Vm
FF = = = 1.0008
Vdc 1.654Vm

Vac
RF = = FF 2 − 1 = 1.00082 − 1 = 0.04
Vdc

Pdc
TUF =
3Vs I s

Vm
3Vs I s = 3 × 0.707Vm × 0.7804 × 3 ×
R
 1.654 2
TUF = = 0.9542
3 × 3 × 0.707 × 0.7804

The peak line-to-neutral voltage is

280.7
Vm = = 169.7V
1.654

PIV = 3Vm = 3 ×169.7 = 293.7V

The average current through each diode is
4 π
Id = ∫ I m cos ω t d ω t
6

2π 0

2 π
Id = Im sin = 0 .3183 I m
π 6
The average current through each diode is
I d = 60 / 3 = 20 A
I m = 20 / 0.3183 = 62.83 A