Performance Analysis of a Single-Phase Controlled Half-Wave Rectifier Applied to AC Motor

Abstract

The rapid pace of industrial development is closely tied to the increasing demand for efficient material handling systems. Cranes, which are integral to the movement of products or goods, often rely on direct current (DC) motors for propulsion. Conventional methods of controlling these motors, which utilize fixed-voltage rectification powered by transformers, are still widely adopted. However, these traditional approaches suffer from several limitations, including the lack of flexibility in voltage regulation and the bulkiness and high costs associated with the transformer setup. This study presents an innovative solution by exploring the use of a fully controlled single-phase rectifier, leveraging the ICTCA785 integrated circuit for precise thyristor firing angle control. The rectifier's performance was evaluated with different load configurations, including resistive (R), resistive-inductive (R-L), and resistive-capacitive (R-C) loads, under varying conditions. A proportional-integral (PI) controller was employed to adjust the load voltage and current amplitude. The findings reveal that increasing the PI controller's gain results in higher amplitude of the load voltage and current, highlighting the importance of the controller's tuning in regulating the rectifier output. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that in certain configurations, the PI controller has minimal or no impact on the load voltage amplitude, depending on the specific rectifier design and load setup. The results underscore the significance of rectifier circuits in converting alternating current (AC) sine waves into stable DC pulses, which are fundamental for powering electronic devices and industrial systems. This research provides valuable insights into the practical application of fully controlled single-phase rectifiers, offering improvements in voltage regulation, efficiency, and flexibility, making them highly applicable in modern industrial automation and motor control systems.