Phase-Controlled Rectifiers and Line-Commutated Inverters

Abstract

As an introduction to a discussion of phase-controlled rectifiers, it is instructive to review the operation of simple diode circuits. One of the most basic circuits is shown in Fig. 7–1. This is referred to as a full-wave rectifier because an output voltage is supplied on both half-cycles of the ac input. The term single way implies that current flows in only one direction in the transformer secondary windings. Figure 7–1 is also called a two-pulse rectifier since there are two dc output current pulses per cycle of the ac input frequency. Another name for the circuit of Fig. 7–1 is the single-phase, center-tap rectifier.