Full-Wave Bridge

Uncontrolled
Rectifier – R Load
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Full-Wave Bridge Uncontrolled Rectifier – R Load
 The bridge rectifier is the most commonly used circuit for DC power
supplies.
 It consists of four diodes D1 through D4, connected to form a bridge.
 During the positive input half cycle, diodes D1 and D2 will become
forward biased, and D3 and D4 will be reversed biased.
 The current will flow producing a drop across load resistance.
 During the negative input half cycle, diodes D3 and D4 will become
forward-biased, and diodes D1 and D2 will become reversed-biased.
 The current will flow through load resistance in the same direction
during both AC input half cycles.
Full-Wave Bridge Uncontrolled Rectifier
Adding Capacitor Parallel to Load to Reduce Ripples
Advantages of Full-Wave Rectifier
 The bridge rectifier circuits are widely used in power supply for various
appliances, as they can convert high AC voltage into low DC voltage.
 It can be used to supply polarized voltage in welding.
 Full-wave rectifiers have higher rectifying efficiency than half-wave rectifiers.
 They have low power loss because no voltage signal is wasted in the
rectification process.

Disadvantages of Full-Wave Rectifier

 The full-wave rectifier is more expensive than the half-wave rectifier and tends to occupy a lot of space.
 It needs four diodes in the bridge and two diodes in the center-tapped which is high compared to the half-wave that
requires only one diode.
Example 1
Example 1
 For the shown single-phase full-wave bridge rectifier circuit. It is required to
supply a resistive load of 1kΩ at 220 V DC.
 Calculate the RMS value of the input supply, the total load current drawn from the
supply, the average load current passed by each diode, and the total DC power
dissipated by the load. Assume ideal diode characteristics.

Solution
 The RMS voltage of the supply can be obtained by using the DC output
average voltage equation.
2∗𝑉𝑚
 220 = , therefore, 𝑉𝑚 = 110π.
𝜋
𝑉𝑚
 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = = 244.358 V.
2
𝑉𝐷𝐶 220
 The average load current = = = 0.22 A.
𝑅 1000

 Each diode only passes half of the load current, so average load current =
0.22
= 0.11 A.
2

 P = 𝐼 2 ∗ 𝑅 = 0.222 ∗ 1000 = 48.4W.

Full-Wave Bridge
Uncontrolled
Rectifier – RL Load
Full-Wave Bridge Uncontrolled Rectifier – RL Load
 For the bridge circuit, current is transferred from one pair of diodes to the other pair
when the source changes polarity.
 The voltage across the RL load is a full-wave rectified sinusoid, as it was for the
resistive load.
 If L >> R, the load will be highly inductive load.
Example 2
Example 2
 A full-wave bridge rectifier with an RL load is connected to a 120 V source the
load resistance is 10 Ω and L >> R. Find:
 The average load voltage
 The average load current
 The maximum load current
 The RMS value of the load current
 The average current in each diode
 The RMS current in each diode
 The power supplied to the load

Solution
2∗𝑉𝑚 2∗120 2
 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = = = 108 V.
𝜋 𝜋
2∗𝑉𝑚 2∗120 2
 𝐼𝑎𝑣𝑔 = = = 10.8 A.
𝜋𝑅 𝜋∗10
Example 2
 The maximum load current
 The RMS value of the load current
 The average current in each diode
 The RMS current in each diode
 The power supplied to the load

Solution

 𝐼𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 10.8 A.

𝐼𝑎𝑣𝑔 10.8
 𝐼𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑜𝑑𝑒 = = = 5.4 A.
2 2
𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 10.8
 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑜𝑑𝑒 = = = 7.64 A.
2 2

 P = 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 2 ∗ 𝑅 = 10.82 ∗ 10 = 1166.4 W.

Full Wave Center-
Tapped Uncontrolled
Rectifier
Full Wave Center-Tapped Uncontrolled Rectifier – R Load
 This type of rectifier uses two diodes and a transformer
with center-tapped secondary winding
 A full wave rectifier converts both halves of each cycle of
an AC signal into pulsating DC signal.
 During the positive half cycle of the input AC, D1 is
forward-biased, and the current starts flowing through the
load.
 During the negative half of the input AC, D2 is forward-
biased and D1 becomes reverse-biased.
 Load current start flowing through D2 during this
negative peak.
 Note that the current flow through the load has not
changed even when the voltage polarity changes.
Full Wave Center-Tapped Rectifier – Positive Cycle
Full Wave Center-Tapped Rectifier – Negative Cycle
Full Wave Center-Tapped Rectifier
Full Wave Center-Tapped Rectifier
Comparison between Half-Wave and Full-Wave
When To Use Center-Taped and Bridge Rectifiers?
 The lower peak diode voltage in the
bridge rectifier makes it more suitable
for high-voltage applications.
 The center-tapped transformer rectifier,
in addition to including electrical
isolation, has only one diode voltage
drop between the source and load,
making it desirable for low-voltage,
high-current applications.
Full-Wave
Controlled
Rectifier – R Load
Full-Wave Controlled Rectifier – R Load
 A fully controlled bridge rectifier uses four thyristors to control the average load voltage.
 Thyristors T1 and T2 must be fired simultaneously during the positive half wave of the source voltage vs to allow the
conduction of current.
 To ensure simultaneous firing, thyristors T1 and T2 use the same firing signal.
 Alternatively, thyristors T3 and T4 must be fired simultaneously during the negative half wave of the source voltage.
 For the center-tapped transformer rectifier, T1 is forward-biased when Vs is positive, and T2 is forward-biased when Vs
is negative, but each will not conduct until it receives a gate signal.
Full-Wave Controlled Rectifier – R Load
Full-Wave Controlled Rectifier – R Load
Example 3
Example 3
 The full-wave controlled bridge rectifier has an AC input of 120 V at 60 Hz and a 20 Ω
load resistor. The delay angle is 40° . Determine the average current in the load, the
power absorbed by the load, the apparent power of the supply, and the power factor.

Solution
Full-Wave Controlled
Rectifier – RL Load –
Discontinuous Mode
Full-Wave Controlled Rectifier – RL Load – Discontinuous Mode
Example 4
Example 4
 A full-wave controlled rectifier has a 120 V source at 60 Hz, R = 10 Ω, L = 20 mH, and α = 60° .
 Determine (a) an expression for the load current, (b) the average load current, and (c) the power
absorbed by the load.

Solution
Example 4
 (b) the average load current, and (c) the power absorbed by the load.

Solution
Full-Wave Controlled
Rectifier – RL Load –
Continuous Mode
Full-Wave Controlled Rectifier – RL Load – Continuous Mode
Full-Wave Controlled Rectifier – Highly Inductive Load
Full-Wave Controlled Rectifier – Highly Inductive Load
Easy Rule for Ratings in Highly Inductive Load
 Current ratings for power electronic devices:
𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 1 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑
 𝐼𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 = ∗ 𝐼𝑜 .
2𝜋

𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 1 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑

 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 2𝜋
∗ 𝐼𝑜 .
Example 5
Example 5
 The two-pulse midpoint connection (bi-phase half-wave circuit) is supplied at
120 V line to neutral.
 Determine the mean load voltage for firing delay angle α of 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°
assuming a constant voltage drop of 1.5 V across each thyristor.
 Determine the required thyristor ratings given that the load current is continuous
and level with a value of 15 A.

Solution
 𝑉𝑚 = 120 2 V, 𝐼𝐿 = 15 A, 𝑉𝑇 = 1.5 V.  Thyristor ratings:
1 𝜋+𝛼  PRV =PFV = 2𝑉𝑚 = 340 V.
 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝜋 ‫𝛼׬‬ 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑉𝑇 . 𝑑𝑤𝑡.
15
2𝑉𝑚  𝐼𝑇−𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 = = 7.5 A.
 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = cos 𝛼 − 1.5. 2
𝜋
15
 At α = 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°  𝐼𝑇−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = = 10.6 A.
2

 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 106.5 V, 92.1 V, 52.5 V, and -1.5 V.

Example 6
Example 6
 A single phase fully-controlled bridge rectifier circuit is loaded by a resistive load of
20 Ω. The supply is 240 V, 60 Hz. For α = 40° , determine:
 Peak load voltage and current, average load voltage and current, and the RMS load
current.

Solution

 Peak load voltage = 𝑉𝑚 = 240 2.

𝑉𝑚
 Peak load current = = 12 2.
𝑅
1 𝜋
 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝜋 ‫ 𝑚𝑉 𝛼׬‬sin 𝜔𝑡 . 𝑑𝑤𝑡.
𝑉𝑚
 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝜋
(1 + cos 𝛼) = 190.8 V.
𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔
 𝐼𝑜−𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 = = 9.54 A.
𝑅

1 𝜋 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡 2
 𝐼𝑜−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ‫ ) 𝑅 ( ׬‬. 𝑑𝑤𝑡 = 11.6 A.
𝜋 𝛼
Example 7
Example 7
 A single phase fully-controlled bridge rectifier circuit is loaded by a highly inductive
load with a resistance of 20 Ω. The supply is 240 V, 60 Hz. For α = 40° , determine:
 Peak load voltage and current, average load voltage and current, the RMS load
current, and power absorbed by the load.

Solution

 Peak load voltage = 𝑉𝑚 = 240 2.

1 𝛼+𝜋
 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝜋 ‫𝛼׬‬ 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡. 𝑑𝑤𝑡.
2𝑉𝑚
 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = cos 𝛼 = 165.5 V.
𝜋
𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔
 𝐼𝐿 = 𝐼𝑜−𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 𝐼𝑜−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = = 8.27 A.
𝑅

 𝑃𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 𝐼𝐿 2 𝑅 = 1.37 kW.

Half-Controlled
Bridge Rectifier –
Type 1
Half-Controlled Bridge Rectifier (Type 1)
𝑉𝑚
 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = (1 + cos 𝛼) − 𝑉𝑇 − 𝑉𝐷 .
𝜋

𝜋−𝛼
 𝐼𝑆−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ∗ 𝐼𝑜 .
𝜋

 Thyristor ratings:
 PRV = PFV = 𝑉𝑚 .
𝐼𝑜
 𝐼𝑇−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = .
2

 Diode ratings:
 PRV = PFV = 𝑉𝑚 .
𝐼𝑜
 𝐼𝐷−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = .
2
Half-Controlled Bridge Rectifier (Type 1) With FWD
𝑉𝑚 𝜋−𝛼
 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = (1 + cos 𝛼) − 𝑉𝑇 + 𝑉𝐷 −
𝜋 𝜋
𝛼
𝑉𝐹𝑊𝐷 .
𝜋

𝜋−𝛼
 𝐼𝑆−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ∗ 𝐼𝑜 .
𝜋

 Thyristor and diode ratings:

 PRV = PFV = 𝑉𝑚 .
𝜋−𝛼 𝐼𝑜
 𝐼𝑇−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝐼𝐷−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ∗ 𝐼𝑜 = at the
2𝜋 2
worst case when (α = 0).
 FWD ratings:
 PRV = PFV = 𝑉𝑚 .
𝛼
 𝐼𝐹𝑊𝐷−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝜋
∗ 𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝑜 at the worst case
when (α = 𝜋).
Half-Controlled
Bridge Rectifier –
Type 2
Half-Controlled Bridge Rectifier (Type 2)
𝑉𝑚 𝜋−𝛼
 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = (1 + cos 𝛼) − 𝑉𝑇 −
𝜋 𝜋
𝛼
(𝜋+1)(𝑉𝐷 ).

𝜋−𝛼
 𝐼𝑆−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ∗ 𝐼𝑜 .
𝜋

 Thyristor rating:
 PRV = PFV = 𝑉𝑚 .
𝜋−𝛼 𝐼𝑜
 𝐼𝑇−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ∗ 𝐼𝑜 = at the worst case
2𝜋 2
when (α = 0).
 Diode rating:
 PRV = PFV = 𝑉𝑚 .
𝜋+𝛼
 𝐼𝐷−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 2𝜋
∗ 𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝑜 at the worst case
when (α = 𝜋).
Half-Controlled Bridge Rectifier (Type 2) With FWD
𝑉𝑚 𝜋−𝛼 𝛼
 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = (1 + cos 𝛼) − 𝑉𝑇 + 𝑉𝐷 − 𝑉𝐹𝑊𝐷 .
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋

𝜋−𝛼
 𝐼𝑆−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ∗ 𝐼𝑜 .
𝜋

 Thyristor rating:
 PRV = PFV = 𝑉𝑚 .
𝜋−𝛼 𝐼𝑜
 𝐼𝑇−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ∗ 𝐼𝑜 = at the worst case when (α =
2𝜋 2
0).
 Diode rating:
 PRV = PFV = 𝑉𝑚 .
𝜋−𝛼 𝐼𝑜
 𝐼𝐷−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ∗ 𝐼𝑜 = at the worst case when (α =
2𝜋 2
0).
𝛼
 𝐼𝐹𝑊𝐷−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ∗ 𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝑜 at the worst case when (α =
𝜋
𝜋).
Example 8
Example 8
 A single phase half-controlled bridge rectifier circuit is loaded by a highly
inductive load with a resistance of 20 Ω. The supply is 240 V, 60 Hz. For α =
40° , determine:
 Peak load voltage and current, average load voltage and current, the RMS load
current, the average thyristor current, and power absorbed by the load.

Solution

 Peak load voltage = 𝑉𝑚 = 240 2.

1 𝜋
 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝜋 ‫ 𝑚𝑉 𝛼׬‬sin 𝜔𝑡. 𝑑𝑤𝑡.
𝑉𝑚
 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = (1 + cos 𝛼) = 191 V.
𝜋
𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 191
 𝐼𝐿 = 𝐼𝑜−𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 𝐼𝑜−𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝐼𝑜−𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 9.55 A.
𝑅 20
𝐼𝑜 9.55
 𝐼𝑇−𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 = = = 4.775 A.
2 2

 𝑃𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 𝐼𝐿 2 𝑅 = 1.824 kW.

Example 9
Example 9
 For the rectifier circuit shown, sketch the waveforms of the load voltage, load current,
thyristor and diode currents for α = 60° and 90°.
 Assume level load current.
α = 60° and 90°

α = 60° α = 90°