Experiment No : 05

Name of the Experiment : Study of the three-phase, three-pulse rectifier.

Objectives :
1. To become familiar with three-phase, three-pulse diode rectifier.
2. To observe the waveforms and compare the characteristics of these rectifiers.
3. To observe the impact of inductance on ripple reduction and output current smoothness is
to be evaluated.
4. The operating principle of rectification through diode conduction is to be examined.

Theory : The three-phase rectifier circuit offers several advantages over a single-phase
rectifier. Using Figure-01, we will analyze the operation of such a circuit in order to fully
understand these advantages. You notice in Figure-01 that the circuit consists simply of three
diodes (one for each of the three phases), the three-phase source, and the load. The waveforms
of the three-line voltages and load voltages are shown in Figure 7 , 8 & 9. the output voltage Es
is measured with respect to the neutral line N.
At the origin, the phase angle of E in is 0º as shown in Figure-01 , we find that ,
E1N = 0 and D1 does not conduct because the voltage across it is zero
E2N < 0 and D₂ does not conduct because it is reverse-biased
E3N > 0 and D3 conducts because it is forward-biased.
Since D3 conducts, the output voltage is the same as that at terminal 3.
When the phase of E1N exceeds 30°.
E1N > E3N and D1 conducts because it becomes forward-biased
E2N < E1N and D2 stays off because it is reverse-biased
E3N < E1N and D3 does not conduct because it becomes is reverse-biased
Since D1 conducts, current flow is now through D 1 instead of D3. The output voltage is the same
as that at terminal 1.
When the phase of E1N has increased by 120º to just over 150°,
E2N > E1N and D2 comes on because it becomes forward-biased
E3N < E2N and D3 a stays off because it is reverse-biased
E1N < E2N and D1 does not conduct because it becomes is reverse-biased
Since D₂ conducts, current flow is now through D₂ in and the output voltage is the same as that
at terminal 2.
When the phase increases another 120° to just over 170°,
E3N > E2N and D3 comes on because it becomes forward-biased
E1N < E3N and D1 stays off because it is reverse-biased
E2N < E3N and D2 does not conduct because it becomes is reverse-biased
Since D3 conducts, current flow is now through D 3 in and the output voltage is the same as that
at terminal 3.
When the phase angle increases an extra 90°, we return to the situation at the beginning. The
cycle thus repeats itself indefinitely, and the output voltage contains pulsations or ripple as
shown in Figure 7 , 8 & 9. Notice however, that the amount of ripple is less than the ripple
obtains with a single-phase rectifier. Also, the on-time of each diode is 120°, compared to 180°
for single-phase circuits. These two differences allow using smaller, less powerful
semiconductor devices.
The average value of E0 can be calculated with the equation :
E0 = 0.675Es , where Es = line-to-line voltage of the source [Vac]

Circuit Diagram :

Figure-01 : Connection of three-phase, three-pulse rectifier circuit (R Load)

 Figure-02 : Connection of three-phase, three-pulse rectifier circuit (RL Load)

Required Apparatus :
SL No. Apparatus Name Quantity
1. Mobile Workstation (8110) 01

2. Resistive Load (8311) 01

3. Inductive load (8321) 01

4. Power Supply(8821) 01

5. Enclosure/ Power Supply 01

6. Power Diodes (8842) 03
7. AC Ammeter (8412) 01

8. DC Voltmeter (8412) 01
9. DC Ammeter (8412) 01

10. Current Isolator (9056) 01

11. Voltage Isolator (9056) 01

12. Oscilloscope 05
13. Connecting wires As required
 Data Table :
Line Voltage I1-2 I4dc(A) i1(A) E1dc e1 (V) Z1(a) Z1(b) Resistive(Ω)
(Vac) ac(A) (V) Resistive Load & Inductive
(Ω) Load(H)
100 0.068 0.15 0.336 56 0.808 400
100 0.062 0.14 0.184 60 0.760 R=400 , L=1.267

Calculation :
For Resistive Load :
Three resistors of 1200 Ω are connected in parallel.
1 1 1 1
Equivalent resistance , = (1200 + 1200 + 1200 ) Ω
𝑅

1 3
=> = 1200 Ω
𝑅

=> 𝑅 = 400 Ω

From the output graph we gets ,

Im = Ip
Ip = 0.336A

Irms = 0.8406 𝐼𝑚

= 0.8406 × 0.336 = 0.282 A

Vm = Vp = 0.808 V
Vrms = 0.8406 𝑉𝑚

= 0.8406 × 0.808 = 0.692 V

Output power , P0 = E1(dc)×I4(dc) W

= 56×0.15 W = 8.4 W
For Resistive and Inductive Load :
Three inductors of 3.8 H are connected in parallel.
1 1 1 1
Equivalent inductance , = (3.8 + 3.8 + 3.8 ) H
𝐿

1 3
=> 𝐿 = 3.8 H
 => 𝐿 = 1.267 H

From the output graph we gets ,

Im = Ip = 0.184 A

Irms = 0.707 𝐼𝑚

= 0.707 × 0.184
= 0.130 A
Vm = Vp = 0.760 V

Vrms = 0.707𝑉𝑚

= 0.707 × 0.760
= 0.537 V
400Ω resistor and 1.267 H inductor are connected in series.
Impedence , Z = R + jXL
= ((400 + j(2*301416*50*1.267))Ω
= (400 + j398.041) Ω
Output power , P0 = E1(dc)×I4(dc) W
= 60×0.14 W = 8.4 W

Results :

Figure-03:Output current waveform (R Load) Figure-04:Output voltage waveform (R Load)

Figure-05:Output current waveform (RL Load) Figure-06:Output voltage waveform (RL Load)

Output Curve : The output curve by the MATLAB simulation is given below ,

Figure-07 : Simulated input current curve of a (R and RLoad)

Figure-08 : Simulated output (current and voltage) curve of a (R Load)

Figure-09 : Simulated output (current and voltage) curve of a (RL Load)

Discussion : The study of the three-phase, three-pulse rectifier circuit using a power diode was
conducted to analyze its operation. A three-phase rectifier circuit has been designed using a three-
phase voltage source. The source has been connected to three current measurement blocks, which
have been used to monitor the AC currents from each phase before rectification. The rectification
process has been carried out using three diodes arranged in a half-wave configuration, allowing
each phase to contribute to the rectified output. A resistive load has been connected at the output,
and voltage and current measurement devices have been used to analyze the circuit’s
performance.To improve the quality of the rectified output, an inductor has been added in series
with the resistor, transforming the system from a purely resistive (R) load to a resistive-inductive
(RL) load. The introduction of inductance has been used to smooth the output current by reducing
ripple, thereby improving performance.The operation of the rectifier is based on the principle of
controlled conduction through diodes. During each cycle, the diode with the highest instantaneous
phase voltage becomes forward-biased, allowing current to flow through the load. Since each
diode conducts only during its respective positive half-cycle, a pulsating DC output is produced.
When only a resistive load is used, the output current exhibits significant variations due to the
absence of energy storage elements. However, when an inductor is added, energy is stored in its
magnetic field during conduction and released when the diode turns off, resulting in a more
continuous current waveform.
The circuit has been analyzed under different load conditions to study the effects of rectification
and ripple reduction. The addition of inductance has been observed to enhance current smoothness,
demonstrating its importance in power electronics applications where stable DC output is required.
Conclussion : In conclusion, The behavior of a three-phase rectifier circuit has been analyzed
under different load conditions. The rectification process has been performed using diodes, and
the effects of resistive and resistive-inductive loads have been observed. It has been found that
when only a resistive load is used, the output current exhibits significant fluctuations due to the
absence of energy storage. However, when an inductor is added in series with the resistor, the
current waveform is smoothed as energy is stored and gradually released.Through this analysis, it
has been seen that the inclusion of inductance effectively reduces ripple in the output current,
leading to a more stable DC signal. The importance of load configuration in rectification has been
highlighted, and it has been shown that the choice of components influences the overall circuit
performance. The results indicate that smoother and more stable rectified output can be achieved
by incorporating inductive elements, making such configurations suitable for applications
requiring reduced current fluctuations.