282

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS. VOL. IA-17, NO. 3, MAY/JUNE 1981

Optimum Input and Output Filters for Single-Phase Rectifier Power Supply
SHASHI B. DEWAN, SENIOR MEMBER, IEEE

Abstract-The "optimum" output filter inductance Lf and the input filter capacitor Ci for a single-phase uncontrolled bridge rectifier employed for low power de-to-dc converters or inverters is established. The filter Ci is optimized to obtain maximum input power factor, minimum filter inductance, and minimum output dc voltage regulation. A design example is provided and theoretical results have been verified on an experimental model.

Lf

INTRODUCTION FOR a power rating up to two kW, the dc input voltage for most dc-to-dc converters and inverters is often provided by means of a single-phase diode bridge rectifier. The output of the rectifier generally consists of a single section Lf-Cf filter which provides ripple-free dc voltage and attenuates the harmonics. Assuming the filter capacitance Cf is large in Fig. 1, this paper shows that for a given power output, the inductor Lf size is a compromise between the output dc voltage V variation with load and the input power factor. A detailed analysis is presented here which provides the relationship between the input power factor and the output dc voltage V when the per unit value of the filter inductor Lf is varied. The theoretical results also show that the best input power factor is achieved if the current io is discontinuous under all load conditions and the input filter capacitor Ci is employed. This paper also establishes the optimum operating point for the single-phase bridge rectifier from the view point of maximum input power factor, minimum filter inductance and minimum output voltage V regulation from no-load to full-load. Finally a procedure for the selection of filter (Lf, Ci) components is illustrated by a design example and the theoretical results have been verified experimentally.

Fig. 1.

Single-phase diode bridge rectifier with "optimum" filter.

4) The load is modeled as a variable resistance since the effect of high frequency ripple is negligible as per assumption 1).
Modes of Operation: Based upon the instant at which the io goes to zero, the rectifier system in Fig. I has three possible modes of operation. Discontinuous Mode I (Fig. 2): The bridge rectifier operates in the discontinuous mode I if the output current io is discontinuous and goes to zero before wt = sr. Discontinuous Mode II (Fig. 3): The bridge rectifier operates in the discontinuous mode II if the output current io is discontinuous and goes to zero at or < at < 7r + a. Continuous Mode (Fig. 4): The bridge rectifier operates in the continuous mode if the output current io never falls to zero.
current

Analysis of the Rectifier in Discontinuous Mode I The voltage and current waveforms for discontinuous mode SIMPLIFYING ASSUMPTIONS I operation of the rectifier are shown in Fig. 2. The analysis The analysis of the single phase diode bridge rectifier sys- of this mode is presented in the following [1 ] -[41: tem in Fig. I is based upon the following assumptions. (1) V=s2E sin wt 1) The output filter capacitance Cf is assumed to be sufficiently large so that the output voltage V is a Vbase =Vf2E' ripple-free constant dc voltage. 2) The ac source is considered ideal. (2) Zbase W4f 3) The losses in inductor Lf and the bridge rectifier are neglected. 'base -2E/()Lf)

Paper IPCSD 80-1, approved by the Static Power Converter Committee of the Industry Applications Society for presentation at the 1980 Industry Applications Society Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, OH, September 28-October 3. Manuscript released for publication November 11, The author is with the Department of Electrical Engineering, the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 1A4.

m = V/(V2E).

(3)

1980.

The angle ca at which diodes D1 and D2 conduction begins (v5 = V) is given by

ca = sin- 1 m.

(4)

0093-0094/81/0500-0282$00.75 i 1981 IEEE

DEWAN: FILTERS FOR A SINGLE-PHASE RECTIFIER

v

283
To obtain the conduction angle 7y notice that the two crosshatched areas in Fig. 2 have the same volt-seconds, i.e.,

f
=

VI2E sin wtd(cot) - V(r -2a)

V(,B--r a)- f +
V2E sin cotd(ct)

(5)
(6)

where
= y

+ a.

From (3), (5), and (6) the following equation results, from which y is calculated.
Fig. 2.

Time variation of currents and voltages in circuit of Fig. I with discontinuous mode I.

cos a - cos (a +

=0. y) - m.y

(7)

V2-E
V
V S

The variations of io during conduction angle y is obtained from

1.
x
I
IN

It
t

'I

-)%-

:%"

vr2E sin wt - V = Lf * dio/dt,

%
,

0 a

< &t Tr

(8)

1-

in which io = 0 at wt =a. Then

w

:wt~ ~ ~~ir
V2E
V
v
0

io = [vr2E (cos a -cos t) -V(tt- a)] /(cLf),

a<cot<Ir.
(9)
From (2), (3), and (9) the normalized output current becomes

0 i

Tr,

0 I

2TI

iOn - io/Ibase = cos a -cos cot -m(Cot - a),

wt

a<.t6Tr.

(10)

OlTf

-t

_,

TT-

W~fk
W-

27

wt

The normalized average output current from (10) is

O

Fig. 3.

Time variation of currents and voltages in circuit of Fig. 1 with discontinuous mode II.

n 7r I0_?r

i+,

io n d((Jt)

V2E
VS V
z x
I

-=- [y cos a + sin a - sin (a + y) -m2/2,

I
1,

:11

'.

a < wt < iT

(1 1)

I,

;2Tr

and the normalized root-mean-square (rms) output current is given by

Iorn = [ 7r
L
0

a r+t

1/2

Ion2 d(wt) 1

a < t < r.

(12)

0
Io
o

--If
---4
1

TT

1.

2 Tr-

wt

The input power factor (without CQ) is calculated from the following expression in which the normalized rms input current Iarn is the same as the normalized rms output current Iorn

(PF)
rr
2 rT

V * Ion/(E * Iarn)
=V * Ionl(E
-

Fig. 4. Time variation of currents and voltages in circuit of Fig. 1 with

continuous current mode.

*Iorn)

'/VimIO n/Io rn

(1 3)

28 4

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, VOL. IA-1 7. NO. 3,

MAY/JtUNE

1981

Analysis of the Rectifier in Discontinulious Mode 11 Thie voltage and currenit waveforms for discontinuous mode 1I are displayed in Fig. 3. Diodes D1 and D2 start to conduct at angle a given by (4). For that part of the output current io in Fig. 3 from at to 7r, (8)-(l 1) also hold so that the normalized output current at wt = 7r from (10) results in

and since the value of the OLItput voltage V is thle s.ime aU VO, (3) and (2 1 ) yield
inm

N/2-E

2 V =-= 0.637. gE =

?r

(22-)

Io 1=cos a + 1 n7(7r- a).

(14)

At wt = 7r diodes D1 and D2 are commutated, and diodes D3 and D4 go into conduction. The differential equation for the output current io from wt = 7r to cot = 3 is then given by

Equation (22) shows that in a continuous mode of operation the value of normalized capacitor voltage in remains conistant and equal to 2/r. From [4], the Fourier series of the rectified voltage vo is

vo

=V2E

O4

2/

4
-

V12Esin wt'= V+Lf -dio'/dt'

n= 2

0.cut'<ea

(15)

,4 ,6 ,

7r(n - l)(n + 1)

cos n ct

(23)
from which the output current results in
DO

in which wt = cot -r. From (3), (15), and the initial condition specified by (14), the normalized output current from ir to 3 in Fig. 3 yields

i0n' = (I-COSSt' m-

t ) +Ion-

(16)

io Io+

n =2,4,6

Qncos nwt

(24)

For operation in the discontinuous mode II, the current where ion' falls to zero at an instant wt' = wt1' where 0 < wt1' < a and is obtained by solving the equation Io = (2v2E/r -V)/r,

(25)

mctl + cos Cotl

= 1 +

IO,rn

(17)

Therefore, the conduction angle y is given by

z
=

r +

cot,

a.

(18)

if Lf has a resistance equal to r. However, r is negligible so that the average output current Io is determined by the load. From Fig. 1 and (2) and (23) the amplitude of each output current harmonic is
Cn
=

In mode II, the normalized, average, and rms output currents, respectively, are given by

nr -)2(

7r(n -1)(n + I)nwLf

-

ion = and

ion d(wt) +

iO n d(ct')J

(19)

7r(n - 1)(n l)n

as '~~~~~be

(26)

which yields the output rms ripple current to be

=

Iorn

K-

(ion)2 d(ct)

Io ri = [
1 1/2

wtj

_n = 2,4,6,..

IO n r]

(ion0)2 d(t')_

(20)

:=

E n = 2 ,4 ,6 ,

I;

00

(Cn /N[2-) 2
-

1/2

(27)

in which ion and io,' are providedby (10) and (16). Finally, the input power factor (without C1) in this mode is the same as in mode I and given by (13).

Therefore, the output

IOrQ=(I 2+

rms

current is

ri2)112

(28)

Analysis of the Rectifier in Continuous Mode Fig. 4 shows the current and voltage waveforms of the circuit in Fig. 1 in a continuous mode of operation. The average value of the rectifier output voltage V0 is
2 V0 =-r/E

and the input power factor (without mode of operation is

CQ)

in

continuous

(PF) = VIO/EIO
or
(F)= V/E[

VIO/E(1O 2 + Io ri2 )1/2

(29)

(21)

I(IOrj/I0)]

(30)

DEWAN: FILTERS FOR A SINGLE-PHASE RECTIFIER

285 while for the continuous mode, (32). (36), and (22) give

Neglecting all the current harmonics above sixth, the output rms ripple current from (26) and (27) is

Iori

II02r
n
=

+ I04r + I06r 1
4

/ 2

(PF) = 0.9/[l + (0.097/Pn)2] 1/2. (38) For all modes, the normalized capacitor voltage from (36) is
m

1/2

ya

The Optimum Operating Point * Ibase 0.1525 Ibase(31) Fig. 5 shows the variation of the input power factor (without CQ) and the normalized capacitor voltage against normalPutting (3), (22), and (31) into (30) gives the following ized power for constant output power. The Appendix explains expression for the input power factor (without CQ) in the the method used in plotting these curves. In discontinuous mode I the input power factor increases as the normalized continuous mode capacitor voltage m decreases. Equations (33) and (34) show (PF) = 0.9/[1 + (0.1525/Ion)2] 1/2 (32) that the filter inductance requirement for constant output power also increases. However, the power factor curve becomes flat around m = 0.79 (PF = 0.763) and then decreases = IO/Ibase is the normalized average output in which Ion down to a value of 0.731, when the current becomes concurrent. tinuous. In the continuous mode the normalized capacitor DETERMINATION OF THE OPTIMUM OPERATING POINT voltage remains constant, and increasing filter inductance FOR THE RECTIFIER reduces the ripple current and therefore the power factor increases. In the limit, when filter inductance is infinite, The object of this section is to determine the optimum operating point for the bridge rectifier (Fig. 1) from the point the power factor approaches 0.9. The reduction in power factor after m = 0.79 is due to the of view of maximum input power factor, minimum filter changes in the current wave shape in discontinuous mode II. inductance, and minimum output voltage regulation. For the purpose of relating input power factor and output Fig. 6 shows the variation of form factor with normalized voltage regulation to filter inductance Lf for various modes of capacitor voltage m. Below m = 0.79, the rate of decrease of operation, a new parameter "normalized power Pn" is defined the form factor reduces and therefore the power factor reduces. as follows: Fig. 5 shows that if the rectifier output current is disconPn = PO/Pbase (33) tinuous, the output voltage regulation is low (regulation = (2E -V)/V = (1 -m)/m) and the filter inductance requirewhere ment is also low. However, the maximum attainable power factor, with no Ci at the front end of Fig. 1, is only 0.763. PO = output power If the rectifier output current io is continuous, then the power factor is high (around 0.9); however, the output voltage V Pbase = base power = Vbase ' Ibase regulation and the filter inductance requirements are very
=

2,4,6

7r(n 1)(n I)n,,1-2

+

=nIn

(39)

voltage regulation. Equation (13) gives the expression for the input power factor for discontinuous modes I and II

eter Pn is a measure of filter inductance Lf. The parameter m is henceforth used to represent the output dc voltage regulation. The higher the value of m, the better the output

The optimum operating point in the discontinuous current Therefore, if the output power Po is constant, then the param- region is at m = 0.79 at which the input power factor is maximum. The output voltage regulation is 27 percent. For the same output power and power factor if the operating point is chosen in the continuous current region, then a filter inductance three times larger is required (Lf2ILf = PI,2/P n1 = 1 (1.55 X 10- )/(5.2 X 10- 2) 3) and the normalized capacitor voltage is only 2/nr, which yields the voltage V regulation to be 57 percent. Therefore, from the viewpoint of the power factor, filter inductance requirement, and the output voltage regulation, the overall optimum operating point at rated output power is in the discontinuous current region at which the power factor is maximum.

2E2/WLf.

(34)

high.

(PF) =V2mIon/Iorn = N2m/form factor.

Also, for all modes from (33), (34), and (3), it results in

(35)

Pn = Po/pbase = VIO/ Vbase ' Ibase = mIon

(36)

SELECTION OF FILTER INDUCTANCE where Ion is the normalized average output current. Therefore, For the optimum operating point (m = 0.79), the value of for discontinuous modes I and II, (35) and (36) yield normalized power Pn from Fig. 5 is given by

(PF) -NT2Pn1Iorn

(37)

Pn=5.2X 10-2.

(40)

28 6

(>P 0.8
O.7

~ ~ ~'~ ~ 0.731
\m

2E6LLE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS.

VOL. IA-17, NO. 3, MAY/JMlNE

181

/II
-4

1-5 2x_g21T-, _~~~7~

III

Discontinuous D _ Mode I

INPUT POWER FACTOR IMPROVEMENT P 4; ) For any power supply, an inpuit power factor ot aft least 0.8 is desir-able. However, for the optimum operating poinlt 0. 0 9 \0.7 63 / chosen in the preceeding section. the input powei- tfactoi is only 0.763 and therefore needs further inmprovemenit. Power / 0t++ _ _ _____< _ .8 factor improvement by means of a front end capacitoI Ci 9," P F /0 ^ 5 * ~~~~~~~~7(Fig. 1) is discussed in this section. The value of Ci is selected \{/ \ Q,~~0725 such that the fundamental input power factor at rated load is unity. The normalized rectifier input current ia,, for disconiV 2/wT=0.637>, tinuous mode I (Fig. 1) is represented by the following Fourier 0_5______Continuous _ 0.6 series: Mode
Discontinuous Mode II 1 ,
1
r

ia n

-3

10

102

n=1

I G,
7r (
a

00

cos

nwt +

n= I

E H,, sin flcot

00

(42)

Fig. 5. Variation of input power factor (PF) and normalized capacitor voltage (m) versus normalized power (Pn) in various modes of rectifier operation for system in Fig. 1.

Gn-I

ian cos nwt dwt

+

01

a.
a

0-i

a4 04

4.0

0.75 0.74 0.73 .1 0.72

(PF)

_ i-LL~ioncos nct dwtI

n odd

(43)
(44)

Hn =-I
7r

0+7+

iO n sin nwt dcot

n odd

3.0
2 .5 Mode I

~~~~~~~~~~0.71
Discontinuous Mode II
i

where

ion is given by (10). Therefore

=

0.70 9

ian
Kn

Kn sin (ncot + On) n odd

(45)
ot is the reference and
(46)

0 U1

2.0 1.5
0 0.725 0.67 0.71 0.75

0t

'Form factor
'_

.67. 0.67
0.66
0.65 0.64

.68

where the
=
=

source

voltage vs

/-aE sin

(Gl2 + Hn2)1/2
tan-

Ol,

(Gn/Hn).
=

(47)

0 0 0 0.79 0.83 0.87 0.91

0.95

Kn and 0,,

Fig. 6. Variation of input power factor (PF) and form factor versus normalized capacitor voltage (m) in discontinuous modes I and II. Theoretically predicted. ooo: Experimentally observed.

Therefore, the filter inductance is given by Pn =PO/Pbase = wLfPol2E2

or

For the optimum operating point (in 0.79), the values of are summarized in Table I. The value of Ci to improve the fundamental power factor to unity is derived from Fig. 7, in which IC,, Iai,r and Iijr are the rms values of the fundamental components of capacitor Ci, rectifier input, and total input currents, respectively. Therefore, E X/-2E 0.121sin30.970 cLf X Xci
or

Lf = (2E2/coPo )Pn H
where
source

(41) ) Ci = 0.121
itor Ci is

sin

30.970/lLf.
power

(48)
capac-

The apparent input

factor after installation of

2m

PO rated output power;

rms ac voltage.

frequency in radians per second;

PF*

V
=

IIo n(FIirn)

Io n/Iirn

(49)

in which lOn and

current (m
=

Example Let E 115 V, o = 377 rad/s (60 Hz), andPo Therefore the optimum filter inductance
=

0.79), and rms input current, respectively.

for m
=

I,,n

are

the normalized, average output

0.79

1.2

kW.

Ion Iirn

= 0.066,
=

2(115)2 -(5.2X 10-2)

f

[jilr

Ii3r +Ii5rI

377 X 1200
=

3 mH.

vf2-

1[Iir2 +Ia3r +Ia5r]1

(50)

DEWAN: FILTERS FOR A SINGLE-PHASE RECTIFIER

287

FOURIER COEFFICIENTS OF THE INPUT CURRENT WAVEFORM FOR THE OPTIMUM OPERATING POINT OF THE RECTIFIER (m = 0.79)
Harmonic Number
1 3 5 7

TABLE I

Re

Kn
0.012 0.009 0.005 0.003 0.002 0.001
Im

On (deg)
-41.66 -13.29 5.77 44.04 63.88 88.74
-30.97 81.41

0.121 0.060

Fig. 8. Circuit used in obtaining experimental results.

9 11 13 15

-f
(a)
0
t

7
. .4

7
\.

I
0

Ici
Iil

E/XC
=LE
0

0
1

cos 30.97
Re

0
wL

VE 0.121
f
v' -

30.97

(b)
0
.+4
.

.2
2

sin 30.97

_a_r

<-

0.121 F2E
r-

Fig. 7. Phasor diagram of currents for improvement of fundamental input power factor by front end capacitor Ci.

or

(c) 0 H

441

till 1-44

Iirn

=
=

[(0.21
0.0852

COS 30.97) + 0.062 + 0.0 122] 1/2

}-YI
(51)

I10

PF* =

12-X 0.79 X 0.066/0.0852 = 0.865.

Fig. 9. Oscillograms of rectifier output voltage v0 and output current io in different modes of operaion of system shown in Fig. 8. Upper trace 50 V/div, 2 ms/div. Lower trace 10 A/div, 2 ms/div. (a) Discontinuous mode I. (b) Discontinuous mode II. (c) Continuous mode.

SELECTION OF FILTER CAPACITANCE Cf The detailed analysis regarding the selection of filter capacitance Cf is given in [4]. This analysis is basically based on the calculation of the rms ripple voltage across Cf in mode I (the optimum operating point lies in this mode), neglecting the high frequency ripple due to the dc-to-dc converter or inverter connected to Cf and considering only the 120-Hz ripple from the rectifier output. The value of Cf for 5 percent harmonics on the capacitor voltage at the optimum operating point (m = 0.79) from [4] is given by
Cf = lOPfp/m2W2Lf.

mental waveforms of the rectifier output voltage v0 and output current io in different modes of operation are shown in Fig. 9.

EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION Fig. 8 shows the circuit used in obtaining the experimental values of the form factor specified in Fig. 6. Also, the experi-

(52)

Example For the optimum operating point P,n = 5.2 X 10-2, m = = 0.79, - 377 rad/s (60 Hz) and Lf = 3 mH. Therefore,

Cf= 10 X (5.2 X 10-2)/(0.79)2 (377)2 (3 X 10-3)

= 1954 X 10-6 F
=

CONCLUSION Theoretical results presented in this paper have been verified experimentally and the agreement is close [4]. This paper has shown that the input power factor does not monotonically increase with increasing filter inductance. Consequently, the optimum rectifier operating point has been shown to lie in the discontinuous mode. Significant power factor improvement can be achieved by installing a front end capacitance. A design procedure has been described and illustrated by a numerical example. APPENDIX The curves in Fig. 5 apply to the operation of the rectifier of Fig. I in discontinuous modes I, II, and the continuous

1954 PF.

288
in

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, VOL. I.A\-17, NO. 3, MIAY/JUNE 1981

valuLe up to
obtained for
mode 11 witlh 2/ (P, 1-.35 X I 4- ) value beyond whliich nlo substantial increase ill
in

mode. The value of establishes the criterion for distinction of these three modes. In the continuous mode, ni is constant and equal to 2/rr. To find the value of ni bordering discontin+ y uous modes I and II, (4) and (7) are solved such that nr. In this case it results in
a

such

a
is

power factor

noticed

(P,2

O"

REFERENCES
IJ

-y=

133.50

a-46.50

mi0.725.

[21

To plot m and (PF) versus P, for mode I, the value of ni is changed such that 1 > m > .725 (for in 1, = 900 and y 00). For each value of mn, is calculated from (4), y from (7), Ion from ( 1), IOrn from (12), Pn from (36), and (PF) from (37). In mode II, m is changed such that 0.725 > m > 2/2r. For each value of m, is obtained from (4), Io from (14), ct1 ' from (17), -y from (18), I0n from (19), 0Iorn from (20), Pn from (36), and (PF) from (37). For the continuous mode, remains constant and equal to 2/7r. The value of (PF) is calculated from (33) in which Pn is varied from the last
a
=

[3]

[41

S. B. Dewan and A. Straughen, Power Semiconductor Circuits. New York: Wiley. 1975, pp. 426-444. B. D. Bedford and R. Hoft, Principles (j Inverter Circuits. New York: Wiley. 1964. pp. 128-141. S. Lindena, "PWM series inverter with inductor-transtormer in low in Cotnf. Ret. IEEE Powver Conditioning power applications. Spec(ialists, 1971. P. Shively, Analysis and design of an output clamped inserter," M.A.Sc. thesis, Unisersity of Toronto, Toronto, ON. Canada, Department of Electrical Engineering, 1978

2n

in

Shashi B. Dewan (S'65-M 67-SM 68), for a photograph and biography, please see page 40 of the January/February issue of this TRANSACTIONS.