FABRICATION OF RIPPLEFREE VARIABLE DC

SOURCE FROM AC SUPPLY WITH

THYRISTOR CIRCUIT
A Project Work Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

Of the requirements for the Degree of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY OF WEST BENGAL

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

In

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Under the supervision of Prof. Chinmay Kanti Roy

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & MANAGEMENT, KOLAGHAT

(Affiliated to West Bengal University Of Technology)

Purba Medinipur-721171, West Bengal, India

(Affiliated to West Bengal University Of Technology)

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 ACKNOWLEDEGEMENTS
We would like to acknowledge our deep sense of gratitude towards Prof. Chinmay Kanti Roy,
for his constant support and invaluable guidance in the course of the project. We are indebted
to him for his timely suggestions and utmost care in spite of his heavy schedule. Our discussions
on a wide range of topics have been instrumental in giving our thought process a sense of
direction.

We would also like to thank Prof. A. K. Chakraborty, Head Of The Department, Electrical
Engineering, College Of Engineering & Management, Kolaghat for allowing us to utilize the
indispensable laboratory facilities, without which the project could not have been completed.

Lastly, a word of thanks also goes out to all those who have directly or indirectly
contributed to the successful completion of the project.

DATE:

NAME-

UNIVERSITY ROLL NO-

NAME-

UNIVERSITY ROLL NO-

NAME-

UNIVERSITY ROLL NO-

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 CERTIFICATE
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT,
KOLAGHAT
(UNDER WEST BENGAL UNIVETSITY OF TECHNOLOGY)

This is to certify that AYAN KUMAR PANJA (ROLL NO-10716061001), NAYAN MANNA
(ROLL NO-10716061046), SUBHASISH DUTTA (ROLL NO-10716061014) of Electrical
Engineering have successfully completed the project on “FABRICATION OF RIPPLEFREE
VARIABLE DC SOURCE FROM AC SUPPLY WITH THYRISTOR CIRCUIT” in fulfillment of
the requirements FOR THE DEGREE OF B.TECH IN 8th SEMESTER of COLLEGE OF
ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT, KOLAGHAT under the supervision and guidance of
Prof. Chinmay Kanti Roy.

----------------------------------
Prof. Chinmay Kanti Roy

Department of Electrical Engineering

(Internal guide)

-----------------------------------
PROF. A. K. CHAKRABORTY

Department of Electrical Engineering

(HOD EE)

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CONTENT
TOPICS PAGE
INTRODUCTION 5

CIRCUIT FOR IMPLEMENTATION 6

THYRISTOR 7

SINGLE PHASE SEMICOMVERTER 12

THYRISTOR FIRING CIRCUIT 13

CALCULATION FOR TRIGGERING CIRCUIT 14

COMPLETE CIRCUIT DIAGRAM 15

UJT TRIGGERING CIRCUIT 16

FILTERING CIRCUIT 17

CALCULATION FOR FILTERING CIRCUIT 18

DESIGN OF INDUCTOR 19

FUTURE SCOPE 21

CONCLUSION 22

REFERENCE 23

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INTRODUCTION
DC motors are generally fed from undulated dc. In normal case it does
not create any problem. But when fed to a high power motor, it creates
appreciable amount of noise & a high temperature rise. The reason is
as follows,-

Whenever supply to motor is given after rectifying an a.c of frequency

‘f’, then the motor draws a dc current on which an a.c component of
‘2f’ frequency has been superimposed. This alternating component
creates unfavorable effect on commutation, heating etc. The effect of
this alternating current can be reduced if the value of this alternating
component gets reduced compared to the d.c component.

So our intention is to-

Fabricate a d.c component within which the a.c component will be less
than 5%.

Simultaneously, we want to realize the R-C triggering circuit to obtain

a variable d.c voltage so that speed of motor can be varied by varying
the d.c supply.

So, in total, we may say the objective of our project is two folds-

1. To produce a variable d.c voltage by firing thyristors at different

firing angles with simultaneous realization of R-C firing circuits.
(the magnitude of this variable d.c would be 0-250V)
2. To ripple free this d.c up to 95%.
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CIRCUIT FOR IMPLEMENTETION
As our aim is to obtain variable d.c, so we choose semiconverter circuit
to achieve it & a R-C triggering circuit to fire the SCRs. And for our
second objective, we choose L-C filter circuit.

i) The Semiconverter circuit converts the a.c voltage into a fully

controlled d.c voltage.

ii) The triggering circuit is used to control thyristors at different firing

angles.

iii) The filtering circuit is used to reduce the ripples of undulated d.c.
We will illustrate the working of each of this part in detail in
subsequent sections.

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THYRISTOR
SILICON CONTROLLED RECTIFIERS (SCR)

A silicon controlled rectifier is a semiconductor device that acts as

a true electronic switch. it can change alternating current and at the
same time can control the amount of power fed to the load. SCR
combines the features of a rectifier and a transistor.
CONSTRUCTION

When a pn junction is added to a junction transistor the resulting

three pn junction device is called a SCR. ordinary rectifier (pn) and a
junction transistor (npn) combined in one unit to form pnpn device.
three terminals are taken : one from the outer p- type material called
anode a second from the outer n- type material called cathode K and
the third from the base of transistor called Gate. GSCR is a solid state
equivalent of thyratron. the gate anode and cathode of SCR correspond
to the grid plate and cathode of thyratron SCR is called thyristor

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WORKING

Load is connected in series with anode the anode is always kept at

positive potential w.r.t cathode.

WHEN GATE IS OPEN

No voltage applied to the gate, j2 is reverse biased while j1 and j3

are forward biased . J1 and J3 is just in npn transistor with base open,
no current flows through the load RL and SCR is cut off. if the applied
voltage is gradually increased a stage is reached when RB junction J2
breakdown .the SCR now conducts heavily and is said to be ON state.
the applied voltage at which SCR conducts heavily without gate voltage
is called Break Over Voltage.

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WHEN GATE IS POSITIVE W.R.T CATHODE.

The
SCR
can be

made to conduct heavily at smaller applied voltage by applying small

positive potential to the gate.J3 is FB and J2 is RB the electron from n
type material start moving across J3 towards left holes from p type
toward right. electrons from j3 are attracted across junction J2 and gate
current starts flowing. as soon as gate current flows anode current
increases. the increased anode current in turn makes more electrons
available at J2 breakdown and SCR starts conducting heavily. the gate
looses all control if the gate voltage is removed anode current does not
decrease at all. The only way to stop conduction is to reduce the
applied voltage to zero.

BREAKOVER VOLTAGE

It is the minimum forward voltage gate being open at which SCR

starts conducting heavily i.e. turned on

PEAK REVERSE VOLTAGE( PRV)

It is the maximum reverse voltage applied to an SCR without

conducting in the reverse direction.
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HOLDING CURRENT
It is the maximum anode current gate being open at which SCR is
turned off from on conditions.

FORWARD CURRENT RATING

It is the maximum anode current that an SCR is capable of passing

without destruction

CIRCUIT FUSING RATING

It is the product of square of forward surge current and the time

of duration of the surge

VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

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FORWARD CHARCTERISTICS

When anode is positive w.r.t cathode the curve between V & I is

called Forward characteristics. OABC is the forward characteristics of
the SCR at Ig =0. If the supplied voltage is increased from zero point A is
reached .SCR starts conducting voltage across SCR suddenly drops
(dotted curve AB) most of supply voltage appears across RL

REVERSE CHARCTERISTICS

When anode is negative w.r.t. cathode the curve b/w V&I is

known as reverse characteristics reverse voltage come across SCR when
it is operated with ac supply reverse voltage is increased anode current
remains small avalanche breakdown occurs and SCR starts conducting
heavily is known as reverse breakdown voltage

Application
SCR as a static contactor

SCR for power control

SCR for speed control of D.C. shunt motor

Over light detector

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SINGLE PHASE SEMICONVERTER
We know that semiconverter construction may be of two types,-
namely symmetrical & unsymmetrical. We prefer here the
unsymmetrical type of construction because in that case although in
this case, we have to provide an extra freewheeling diode, but we can
utilize the common cathode connection. By using the common cathode
connection, we will be able to trigger the two SCRs with the help of
single triggering circuit.

• A single phase semi converter bridge with two thyristor and three
diodes is used here.

• The two thyristors are T1 and T2; two diodes are D1, D2

• The third diode D3 is connected across the load is acted as

freewheeling diode

• The load is a dc motor, equivalent to an R-L-E type.

The trigger pattern of the two SCRs will be as follows -

vO Vm Thyristor T1 is triggered at
 t   , at  t   2    ,...
Thyristor T2 is triggered at
t  t       , at  t   3    ,...
0
 The time delay between the gating
signals of T1 & T2   radians or 180 0
iO
Thyristor T1 & D1 conduct
   from  t   to 
Thyristor T2 & D2 conduct
t from  t       to 2
0
    FWD conducts during
() ()  t  0 to  ,  to     ,...
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THYRISTOR FIRING CIRCUITS
As we have mentioned previously that, we will use R-C triggering to fire
the SCRs, we use the conventional R-C phase shifter circuit to first shift
the phase with respect to supply & then feed this phase shifted voltage
to the gate terminal of SCR. We have to keep in mind that, SCR only
triggers at positive half. So the perfect synchronization has to be made
between SCR and triggering circuit so that each SCR receives the gate
pulse only at their respective positive half.

In the phase shift method of firing the scr, an R-C or R-L network is
used to delay the gate signal with respect to anode voltage. It offers a
simple method of timing the SCR gate pulse in reference to a.c power
line variations.

Here we use a basic phase shifter network for full wave phase
control with a d.c output to a load. To utilize both halves of a.c cycle,
the SCRs are connected in a bridge circuit and are fired by gate pulses
on alternate half cycles.

This circuit can shift the firing angle 180 0, giving almost
complete control of the a.c power supply. Here the firing circuit is
supplied from the same a.c supply by using a step down, centre tap
transformer. Purpose for using this transformer is-
i)To trigger the scr in a sine wave, the same frequency as the power supply.

ii) This transformer acts as isolating transformer which isolates the firing
circuit i.e. the phase shift network.

iii) By using this transformer we use a single supply instead of using an extra
supply for the firing circuit. So it also reduces the cost.

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CALCULATION OF TRIGGERING CIRCUIT
−1 VC
Triggering angle α = β/2 = 2 tan V
R

For minimum triggering angle α should be zero.

V C0 V C0
 V 
−1
∴ 0 = 2 tan V
R0 R0

 C 0
V

For maximum possible triggering angle α = 1800

V C0 V Cm V Rm
 V ∞  V 0 V Rm
−1
∴1800 = 2 tan V
R0 Rm Cm

These two values are the boundary condition but manipulating for various
obtainable practical values we got C = 3.2μF.

The value of resistances for α = 600 is 0.342k and for 𝜶=1400 is 9.8k .

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COMPLETE CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

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TRIGGERING OF THYRISTOR USING UJT
A synchronized UJT triggering circuit is shown in figure bellow. Diodes D 1-D4
rectifies ac to dc. Resistor R1 lowers Vdc to a suitable value for the zener diode and
UJT. Zener diode Z functions to clip the rectified voltage to a standard level V z is
applied to the charging circuit RC. Current i 1 charges the capacitor C at a rate
determined by R. When voltage across capacitor V c reaches the UJT threshold
voltage Vz, the E-B1 junction of UJT breaks down and the capacitor discharges
through primary of pulse transformer sending a current i2.
As the current i2 is in form of pulse, windings of the pulse transformer have
pulse voltages at their secondary terminals. This voltage is applied to the gate of
SCR which trigger the SCR. As soon as the capacitor discharges, it starts charging
and prepares for next pulse. The time of charging of capacitor is controlled by
varying the resistance R. The firing angle can be controlled up to about 150 0.

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FILTERING CIRCUIT

Why LC Filter?
An inductor L in series with the load reduces the ac component, or ac
ripples, considerably. It is because L in series with load offers high
impedance to ac component but very low resistance to d.c. Thus ac
component gets attenuated considerably.

A capacitor C across load offers direct short circuit to ac component,

these are therefore not allowed to reach the load. However, dc gets
stored in the form of energy in C and this allows the maintenance of
almost constant dc output voltage across the load.

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CALCULATION OF FILTERING CIRCUIT
Input voltage to the filter V0 = Vm(1 + cosα)/π

Vm = 240 X √2 = 339.41V

V0 = 339.41(1 + cos150)/π = 339.41 X 1.966/π = 212.39V

Load impedance ZL = V0/IL = 212.39/5 = 42.478 (where IL = 5 amp given)

Filter capacitor C = 10/2ωZL = 10/(2 X 100π X 42.478) = 374.676 μF

Now ripple factor (RF) = 5% (given)

√2 1 √2 1
RF = 3 [
( 2 ω )2 LC−1]= 3 [
(200 π )2 X 374.676 X 10−6−1 ]
So, L = 0.0705H

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DESIGN OF INDUCTOR
The a.c power capacity of inductor ,Q = 48 X 5 = 240 VA

∴ Q/2 = 120 VA

Te = Turns per volt

1
Φm = 4.44 X 100 X 4 = 0.000563 wb

Maximum flux density to avoid saturation in the core 1.0 wb/m2

0.000563 2
Area of core Ai = 1.0
m = 0.000563 m2 = 563 mm2

563
Gross area of core Agi = 0.9 = 625.55 mm2

Assuming square cross-section width of the central limb = √ 625.55 mm ≅ 25 mm =

1 inch

Total no of turns ,T = V.Te = 48 X 4 = 192

5
J = 2 A/mm2, area of conductor = 2 = 2.5 mm2

Required diameter of conductor = √ 2.5 mm2 = 1.58 mm2 = 15 SWG

Diameters of conductor with enameled covering = (1.58 + 0.111) mm = 1.691 mm

2 π
Area of conductor with insulation (a) = 1.691 4 mm2 = 2.24 mm2

2
1.58
Space factor = Sf = 0.8 X ( 1.691 ) = 0.69
1.2 X T X a 1.2 X 192 X 2.24
Window area Aw = Sf = 0.69
= 747.965 mm2 = 1.16 inch2

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 A B C D E
1” 3.3125” 2.625” 0.53” 0.5”

B− A−2 D
Window width Ww = 2
= 0.62”

Window height Hw = C – 2E = 1.625”

∴ Window area Aw = 1.0075”

Bm
Bm = 1wb/m2, Gross ampere turn (ATg) = 800000 X = 563000 A/m2
√2
No of air gaps in series = 2

T2 1922
Z = T AT l +2 AT l = 4 0+2× 563000× l
e( i i g g) ( g)

1922 1922
∴ 2πfL = 4 2 ×563000 ×l 2π × 100 × 0.075 = 8 ×563000 l
( g) g

1922
∴ lg = = 0.18 mm = 0.00727 inch
8 ×563000 ×14.1 π

Total height of 192 conductors = 192 × 0.046” = 8.832”

8.832
Now, taking the height of each layer of winding as 1.472”, we get a total of = 1.472
= 6 layers

Now, considering the insulation between the layers as 5nil (0.005”)

We get width of the winding in each window is = 6 × 0.046 + 6 × 0.005 = 0.306”

So we can accommodate the winding in the window

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FUTURE SCOPES
 We can achieve best performance from a dc machine when
supply to it is pure dc. So our ultimate aim should be to
produce dc voltage with zero percent ripple. So here future
scope of works lie.
 Here we have used RC triggering circuit & UJT triggering
circuit. But there are so many methods available to trigger an
SCR bridge (e.g. different timers etc); though many of them are
very efficient and reliable but their cost is proportionately high
also. So there should be a compromise between the efficiency,
simplicity and cost of it. And therefore more new design of
triggering circuit is needed.
 As we have not designed the snubber circuit for SCR circuit, a
transient voltage has appeared at the time of switching across
the load and as a result the avg. voltage of the DC output
voltage gets increased. Until the transient period could be
reduced it can’t be fed to the DC motor generator set.

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CONCLUSION
Our expectation from the designed circuit is –

 i) The dc output voltage should be smoothly controllable.

 ii) Ripple should be less than 5%.

 iii) Almost full range of voltage (0-250V) should be

obtained.

 iv) The circuit should be able to carry the full load current(5 amp).

We have been able to achieve very smoothly controllable d.c

output & simultaneously almost full range of voltage has been covered.
But in the filtering circuit we have observed some transient
phenomenon at the time of switching. We have succeeded to eliminate
a major portion of it, but still there is opportunity for further work.

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REFERENCE:

i) ’POWER ELECTRONICS’ by P.S.BIMBHRA.

ii) ’POWER ELECTRONICS’ by Md.H RASID.

iii) www.wikipidia.com.

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