Power Electronics

Power Electronics
Chapter 4
AC to AC Converters
( AC Controllers and
Frequency Converters )
Classification of AC to AC converters
Classification of AC to AC converters
Same frequency Same frequency
variable magnitude variable magnitude
AC power AC power
AC power AC power
Variable Variable
frequency frequency
AC power AC power
AC controllers
Frequency converters
(Cycloconverters)
AC to AC converters
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
2
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
3
Classification of AC controllers
Classification of AC controllers
AC controller AC controller
Phase control: Phase control: AC voltage controller AC voltage controller
(Delay angle control) (Delay angle control)
Integral cycle control: Integral cycle control: AC power controller AC power controller
PWM control: PWM control: AC chopper AC chopper
(Chopping control) (Chopping control)
On/off switch: On/off switch: electronic AC switch electronic AC switch
PWM: Pulse Width Modulation PWM: Pulse Width Modulation
Classification of frequency converters
Classification of frequency converters
Frequency converter Frequency converter
( (Cycloconverter Cycloconverter) )
Phase control: Phase control: thyristor cycloconverter thyristor cycloconverter
(Delay angle control) (Delay angle control)
PWM control: PWM control: matrix converter matrix converter
(Chopping control) (Chopping control)
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
Cycloconverter Cycloconverter is sometimes referred to is sometimes referred to
in a broader sense in a broader sense any ordinary AC to AC converter any ordinary AC to AC converter
in a narrower sense in a narrower sense thyristor cycloconverter thyristor cycloconverter
4
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
5
Outline
Outline
4.1 AC voltage controllers 4.1 AC voltage controllers
4.2 Other AC controllers 4.2 Other AC controllers
4.3 Thyristor cycloconverters 4.3 Thyristor cycloconverters
4.4 Matrix converters 4.4 Matrix converters
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
6
4.1 AC voltage controllers
4.1 AC voltage controllers
4.1.1 Single 4.1.1 Single- -phase AC voltage controller phase AC voltage controller
4.1.2 Three 4.1.2 Three- -phase AC voltage controller phase AC voltage controller
Applications Applications
Lighting control Lighting control
Soft Soft- -start of asynchronous motors start of asynchronous motors
Adjustable speed drive of asynchronous motors Adjustable speed drive of asynchronous motors
Reactive power control Reactive power control
4.1.1 Single
4.1.1 Single
-
-
phase AC voltage controller
phase AC voltage controller
The phase shift range The phase shift range
(operation range of phase (operation range of phase
delay angle): delay angle):
0 0
Resistive load Resistive load
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
R
u
1
u
o
i
o
VT
1
VT
2
O
u
1
u
o
i
o
u
VT

t
O

t
O

t
O

t
7
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
8
RMS value of output voltage RMS value of output voltage
RMS value of output current RMS value of output current
RMS value of RMS value of thyristor thyristor current current
Power factor of the circuit Power factor of the circuit
Resistive load, quantitative analysis
Resistive load, quantitative analysis
( ) ( )

+ = =

2 sin
2
1
d sin 2
1
1
2
1 o
U t t U U
R
U
I
o
o
=
( ) )
2
2 sin
1 (
2
1 sin 2
2
1
1
2
1

+ =

R
U
t d
R
t U
I
T

+ = = = = 2 sin
2
1
1
o
o 1
o o
U
U
I U
I U
S
P
(4 (4- -1) 1)
(4 (4- -2) 2)
(4 (4- -3) 3)
(4 (4- -4) 4)
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
9
Inductive (Inductor
Inductive (Inductor
-
-
resistor) load,
resistor) load,
operation principle
operation principle
The phase shift range: The phase shift range:

R
u
1
u
o
i
o
VT
1
VT
2
0.6
O
u
1
u
o
i
o
u
VT
t O
t
O t
t
O
u
G1
u
G2
O
O
t
t
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
10
Differential equation Differential equation
Solution Solution
Considering Considering i i
o o
=0 when =0 when t t= = + +
We have We have
Inductive load, quantitative analysis
Inductive load, quantitative analysis
The RMS value of output voltage, output current, and The RMS value of output voltage, output current, and thyristor thyristor
current can then be calculated. current can then be calculated.
0
sin 2
d
d
o
1 o
o
=
= +
=

t
i
t U Ri
t
i
L
(4 (4- -5) 5)
0 20 100 60 140 180
20
100
60

/
(

)
180
140
/()

=

9
0

7
5

6
0

4
5

3
0

1
5

(4 (4- -6) 6)

tg
) sin( ) sin(

= + e
(4 (4- -7) 7)
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
11
Inductive load, when
Inductive load, when

<
<

The circuit can still work. The circuit can still work.
The load current will be The load current will be
continuous just like the continuous just like the
thyristors thyristors are short are short- -circuit, circuit,
and the and the thyristors thyristors can no can no
longer control the longer control the
magnitude of output voltage. magnitude of output voltage.
The start The start- -up transient will be up transient will be
the same as the transient the same as the transient
when a RL load is when a RL load is
connected to an AC source connected to an AC source
at at t t = = ( ( < < ). ).

t
t
t
t

O
O
O
O
u
1
i
G1
i
G2
i
o

i
T1
i
T2
Start Start- -up transient up transient
Harmonic analysis
Harmonic analysis
There is no DC component and There is no DC component and
even order harmonics in the even order harmonics in the
current. current.
The current waveform is half The current waveform is half- -
wave symmetric. wave symmetric.
The higher the number of The higher the number of
harmonic ordinate, the lower the harmonic ordinate, the lower the
harmonic content. harmonic content.
= 90 = 90 is when harmonics is the is when harmonics is the
most severe. most severe.
The situation for the inductive The situation for the inductive
load is similar to that for the load is similar to that for the
resistive load except that the resistive load except that the
corresponding harmonic content corresponding harmonic content
is lower and is even lower as is lower and is even lower as is is
increasing. increasing.
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
Current harmonics Current harmonics
for the resistive load for the resistive load
0 60 120 180
Fundamental
3
5
7

/( )
I
n
/
I
*
/
%
20
40
60
80
100
12
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
13
4.1.2 Three
4.1.2 Three
-
-
phase AC voltage controller
phase AC voltage controller
Classification of three
Classification of three
-
-
phase circuits
phase circuits
Y connection Y connection Line Line- -controlled controlled connection connection
Branch Branch- -controlled controlled connection connection Neutral Neutral- -point point- -controlled controlled connection connection
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
14
3
3
-
-
phase 3
phase 3
-
-
wire Y connection
wire Y connection
AC voltage controller
AC voltage controller
For a time instant, there are 2 possible conduction states: For a time instant, there are 2 possible conduction states:
Each phase has a Each phase has a thyristor thyristor conducting. Load voltages are the conducting. Load voltages are the
same as the source voltages. same as the source voltages.
There are only 2 There are only 2 thyristors thyristors conducting, each from a phase. The conducting, each from a phase. The
load voltages of the two conducting phases are half of the load voltages of the two conducting phases are half of the
corresponding line to line voltage, while the load voltage of th corresponding line to line voltage, while the load voltage of the e
other phase is 0. other phase is 0.
n
n '
a
b
c
u u
a a
u u
b b
u u
c c
i i
a a
U
a0'
VT
5
VT
3
VT
6
VT
4
VT
2
VT
1
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
15
3
3
-
-
phase 3
phase 3
-
-
wire Y connection
wire Y connection
AC voltage controller
AC voltage controller
Resistive load, Resistive load, 0 0 < 60 < 60

3
2

3
5

3
0
2

u
ao'
u
a
u
ab
2
u
ac
2
t
1
t
2
t
3
VT
1
VT
3
VT
6
VT
4
VT
6
VT
2
VT
5
VT
5
VT
1
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
16
3
3
-
-
phase 3
phase 3
-
-
wire Y connection
wire Y connection
AC voltage controller
AC voltage controller
Resistive load, 6 Resistive load, 60 0 < 90 < 90

3
2

3
5

3
0
2

u
ao'
u
a
u
ab
2
u
ac
2
t
1
t
2
t
3
VT
5
VT
1
VT
3
VT
4
VT
6
VT
2
VT
6
VT
5
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
17
3
3
-
-
phase 3
phase 3
-
-
wire Y connection
wire Y connection
AC voltage controller
AC voltage controller
Resistive load, 9 Resistive load, 90 0 < 150 < 150

3
2

3
5

3
0
2

u
ao'
u
a
u
ab
2
u
ac
2
VT
5
VT
1
VT
3
VT
4
VT
6
VT
2
VT
6
VT
5
VT
5
VT
1
VT
3
VT
5
VT
4
VT
2
VT
4
VT
6
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
18
3
3
-
-
phase 3
phase 3
-
-
wire branch
wire branch
-
-
controlled
controlled

connection AC voltage controller

connection AC voltage controller
The operation principle is the same as 3 independent single The operation principle is the same as 3 independent single- -
phase AC voltage controllers. phase AC voltage controllers.
Application Application Thyristor Thyristor- -controlled reactor (TCR) controlled reactor (TCR)
To control the effective current flowing through the reactor by To control the effective current flowing through the reactor by
controlling delay angle, therefore control the reactive power controlling delay angle, therefore control the reactive power
absorbed by the reactor. absorbed by the reactor.
u
a
i
a
u
b
u
c
n
b
a
c
a) b) c)
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
19
4.2 Other AC controllers
4.2 Other AC controllers
4.2.1 Integral cycle control 4.2.1 Integral cycle control AC power controller AC power controller
4.2.2 Electronic AC switch 4.2.2 Electronic AC switch
4.2.3 Chopping control 4.2.3 Chopping control AC chopper AC chopper
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
20
4.2.1 Integral cycle control
4.2.1 Integral cycle control

AC power controller
AC power controller
Circuit topologies are the same as AC voltage controllers. Circuit topologies are the same as AC voltage controllers.
Only the control method is different. Only the control method is different.
Load voltage and current are both sinusoidal when Load voltage and current are both sinusoidal when thyristors thyristors
are conducting. are conducting.

M
Line period Line period
Control period
=
M
*Line period
=
2

M
O
Conduction Conduction
angle angle
=
2

N
M
3

M
2

M
u
o
u
1
u
o
,i
o

t
U
1
2
R
u
1
u
o
i
o
VT
1
VT
2
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
21
Spectrum of the current in
Spectrum of the current in
AC power controller
AC power controller
There is NO There is NO
harmonics in the harmonics in the
ordinary sense. ordinary sense.
There is harmonics There is harmonics
as to the control as to the control
frequency. As to the frequency. As to the
line frequency, these line frequency, these
components become components become
fractional harmonics. fractional harmonics.
Harmonic order as to
control frequency
Harmonic order as to
line frequency
0 5
1
2 3 4
0 12 14 2 4 6 10 8
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
I
n
/
I
0
m
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
22
4.2.2 Electronic AC switch
4.2.2 Electronic AC switch
Circuit topologies are the same as AC voltage controllers. But Circuit topologies are the same as AC voltage controllers. But
the back the back- -to to- -back back thyristors thyristors are just used like a switch to turn are just used like a switch to turn
the equipment on or off. the equipment on or off.
Application Application Thyristor Thyristor- -switched capacitor (TSC) switched capacitor (TSC)
I
U
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
23
TSC waveforms when the capacitor is
TSC waveforms when the capacitor is
switched in/out
switched in/out
The voltage across the The voltage across the thyristor thyristor must be nearly zero when must be nearly zero when
switching in the capacitor, and the current of the switching in the capacitor, and the current of the thyristor thyristor must must
be zero when switching out the capacitor. be zero when switching out the capacitor.
u
s
i
C
u
C
C
VT
1
VT
2
u
VT
1
t
t
t
t
u
s
i
C
u
C
VT
1
VT
2
t
1
t
2
u
VT1
t
t
t
t
u
s
i
C
u
C
VT
1
VT
2
t
1
t
2
u
VT1
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
24
TSC with the electronic switch realized
TSC with the electronic switch realized
by a
by a
thyristor
thyristor
and an anti
and an anti
-
-
parallel diode
parallel diode
The capacitor voltage will be always charged up to the peak of The capacitor voltage will be always charged up to the peak of
source voltage. source voltage.
The response to switching The response to switching- -out command could be a little out command could be a little
slower (maximum delay is one line slower (maximum delay is one line- -cycle). cycle).
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
25
4.2.3 Chopping control
4.2.3 Chopping control

AC chopper
AC chopper
Principle of chopping control Principle of chopping control
The mean output voltage over The mean output voltage over
one switching cycle is one switching cycle is
proportional to the duty cycle in proportional to the duty cycle in
that period. This is also called that period. This is also called
Pulse Width Modulation Pulse Width Modulation
(PWM) (PWM). .
Advantages Advantages
Much better output waveforms, Much better output waveforms,
much lower harmonics much lower harmonics
For resistive load, the For resistive load, the
displacement factor is always displacement factor is always
1. 1.
Waveforms when the load Waveforms when the load
is pure resistor is pure resistor
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
26
AC chopper
AC chopper
Modes of operation
Modes of operation
>0, >0, i i
o o
>0: V >0: V
1 1
charging, V charging, V
3 3
freewheeling freewheeling
>0, >0, i i
o o
<0: V <0: V
4 4
charging, V charging, V
2 2
freewheeling freewheeling
<0, <0, i i
o o
>0: V >0: V
3 3
charging, V charging, V
1 1
freewheeling freewheeling
<0, <0, i i
o o
<0: V <0: V
2 2
charging, V charging, V
4 4
freewheeling freewheeling
o
u
o
u
o
u
o
u
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
27
4.3
4.3
Thyristor
Thyristor
cycloconverters
cycloconverters
(
(
Thyristor
Thyristor
AC to AC frequency converter)
AC to AC frequency converter)
Another name Another name direct frequency converter (as direct frequency converter (as
compared to AC compared to AC- -DC DC- -AC frequency converter which AC frequency converter which
is discussed in Chapter 8) is discussed in Chapter 8)
Can be classified into single Can be classified into single- -phase and three phase and three- -
phase according to the number of phases at output phase according to the number of phases at output
4.3.1 Single 4.3.1 Single- -phase phase thyristor thyristor- -cycloconverter cycloconverter
4.3.2 Three 4.3.2 Three- -phase phase thyristor thyristor- -cycloconverter cycloconverter
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
28
4.3.1 Single
4.3.1 Single
-
-
phase
phase
thyristor
thyristor
-
-
cycloconverter
cycloconverter
Circuit configuration and operation principle Circuit configuration and operation principle
Z
P
N
u
o
O
u
o

P
=0

P
=

P
=

t
Output
voltage
Average
output voltage
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
29
Single
Single
-
-
phase
phase
thyristor
thyristor
-
-
cycloconverter
cycloconverter
Modes of operation Modes of operation
t
t
t
t
t
O
O
O
O
O
u
o
,i
o
u
o
i
o
t
1
t
2
t
3
t
4
t
5
u
o
u
P
u
N
u
o
i
P
i
N
Rectifi Rectifi
cation cation
Inver Inver
sion sion
Blocking Blocking P P
N N
Inver Inver
sion sion
Blocking Blocking
Rectifi Rectifi
cation cation
u
P
u
N
u
o
i
o
i
N
i
P
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
30
Single
Single
-
-
phase
phase
thyristor
thyristor
-
-
cycloconverter
cycloconverter
Typical waveforms Typical waveforms
1
O
O
2
3 4
5
6
u
o
i
o
t
t
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
31
Calculation method Calculation method
For the rectifier circuit For the rectifier circuit
For the For the cycloconverter cycloconverter
output output
Equating (4 Equating (4- -15) and (4 15) and (4- -16) 16)
Therefore Therefore
Cosine wave Cosine wave- -crossing crossing
method method
Modulation methods for firing delay angle
Modulation methods for firing delay angle
Principle of cosine
wave-crossing method
u
2
u
3
u
4
u
5
u
6
u
1
u
s2
u
s3
u
s4
u
s5
u
s6
u
s1
u
o

P3

P4
t
t
cos
d0 o
U u =
t U u
o om o
sin =
t t
U
U
o o
d0
om
sin sin cos = =
) sin ( cos
o
1
t

=
(4 (4- -15) 15)
(4 (4- -16) 16)
(4 (4- -17) 17)
(4 (4- -18) 18)
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
32
Calculated results for firing delay angle
Calculated results for firing delay angle
Output voltage ratio Output voltage ratio
(Modulation factor) (Modulation factor)
) 1 0 (
d0
om
= r
U
U

= 0

= 0.1

/
(

)
Output voltage phase angle

0
t
120
150
180
30
60
90
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.8
0.2
0.3
0.9
1.0

2
3

P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
33
Input and output characteristics
Input and output characteristics
Maximum output Maximum output
frequency: 1/3 or 1/2 of the frequency: 1/3 or 1/2 of the
input frequency if using 6 input frequency if using 6- -
pulse rectifiers pulse rectifiers
Input power factor Input power factor
Harmonics in the output Harmonics in the output
voltage and input current voltage and input current
are very complicated, and are very complicated, and
both related to input both related to input
frequency and output frequency and output
frequency. frequency.
0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0

=
1
.
0
Input displacement factor Input displacement factor
Load power factor Load power factor
(lagging) (lagging)
Load power factor Load power factor
(leading (leading) )
0
1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
.
8
0
.
6
0
.
4
0
.
2
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
34
4.3.2 Three
4.3.2 Three
-
-
phase
phase
thyristor
thyristor
-
-
cycloconverter
cycloconverter
The configuration with common input line The configuration with common input line
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
35
Three
Three
-
-
phase
phase
thyristor
thyristor
-
-
cycloconverter
cycloconverter
The configuration with star The configuration with star- -connected output connected output
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
36
Three
Three
-
-
phase
phase
thyristor
thyristor
-
-
cycloconverter
cycloconverter
Typical waveforms Typical waveforms
200
t/ms
Output voltage Output voltage
Input current with Input current with
3 3- -phase output phase output
200
t/ms
200
t/ms
Input current with Input current with
Single Single- -phase output phase output
0
0
0
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
37
Input and output characteristics
Input and output characteristics
The maximum output frequency and the harmonics The maximum output frequency and the harmonics
in the output voltage are the same as in single in the output voltage are the same as in single- -
phase circuit. phase circuit.
Input power factor is a little higher than single Input power factor is a little higher than single- -
phase circuit. phase circuit.
Harmonics in the input current is a little lower than Harmonics in the input current is a little lower than
the single the single- -phase circuit due to the cancellation of phase circuit due to the cancellation of
some harmonics among the 3 phases. some harmonics among the 3 phases.
To improve the input power factor: To improve the input power factor:
Use DC bias or 3k order component bias on each of the 3 Use DC bias or 3k order component bias on each of the 3
output phase voltages output phase voltages
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
38
Features and applications
Features and applications
Features Features
Direct frequency conversion Direct frequency conversion high efficiency high efficiency
Bidirectional energy flow, easy to realize 4 Bidirectional energy flow, easy to realize 4- -quadrant quadrant
operation operation
Very complicated Very complicated too many power semiconductor too many power semiconductor
devices devices
Low output frequency Low output frequency
Low input power factor and bad input current waveform Low input power factor and bad input current waveform
Applications Applications
High power low speed AC motor drive High power low speed AC motor drive
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
39
4.4 Matrix converter
4.4 Matrix converter
Circuit configuration Circuit configuration
Input Input
Output Output
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
40
Matrix converter
Matrix converter
Usable input voltage Usable input voltage
a) b) c)
U
m
U
1m
U
1m 2
3
U
m
1
2
a) a) Single-phase input
voltage
b) b) Use 3 phase voltages
to construct output
voltage
c) c) Use 3 line-line voltages
to construct output
voltage
P
o
w
e
r
E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s
41
Features
Features
Direct frequency conversion Direct frequency conversion high efficiency high efficiency
Can realize good input and output waveforms, low Can realize good input and output waveforms, low
harmonics, and nearly unity displacement factor harmonics, and nearly unity displacement factor
Bidirectional energy flow, easy to realize 4 Bidirectional energy flow, easy to realize 4- -quadrant quadrant
operation operation
Output frequency is not limited by input frequency Output frequency is not limited by input frequency
No need for bulk capacitor (as compared to indirect No need for bulk capacitor (as compared to indirect
frequency converter) frequency converter)
Very complicated Very complicated too many power semiconductor too many power semiconductor
devices devices
Output voltage magnitude is a little lower as Output voltage magnitude is a little lower as
compared to indirect frequency converter. compared to indirect frequency converter.