1. Key Formulae

Single-Phase Full Converter — Average Output Voltage

Average dc output voltage \(\displaystyle V_{dc} = \frac{2\sqrt{2}\,V_s}{\pi}\cos\alpha\) \(V_s\) = rms supply voltage; \(\alpha\) = firing angle
Maximum (uncontrolled) voltage \(\displaystyle V_{do} = \frac{2\sqrt{2}\,V_s}{\pi}\) Obtained at \(\alpha = 0°\)
RMS supply current (ripple-free) \(I_{rms} = I_a\) Square wave of amplitude \(I_a\)

DC Motor Equations (Separately Excited)

Back-EMF \(E_g = K_a\Phi\,\omega = K_a\Phi\,\dfrac{2\pi N}{60}\) \(K_a\Phi\) in V·s/rad or V/rpm
Terminal voltage (motoring) \(V_a = E_g + I_a R_a\) Current flows into armature
Terminal voltage (inverter) \(V_a = E_g - I_a R_a\) Energy returned to supply
Developed torque \(T_d = K_a\Phi\,I_a\) \(K_a\Phi\) in V·s/rad
Motor speed \(\displaystyle N = \frac{V_a - I_a R_a}{K_a\Phi}\) Uses \(K_a\Phi\) in V/rpm
Armature-circuit efficiency \(\displaystyle \eta = \frac{E_g}{V_a} = 1 - \frac{I_a R_a}{V_a}\) Excludes field & rotational losses
Supply power factor \(\displaystyle \text{PF} = \frac{V_{dc}\,I_a}{V_s\,I_{rms}}\) For ripple-free armature current

Inverter Operation — Key Condition

Firing Angle Range
  • Rectifier (motoring): \(0° \leq \alpha \leq 90°\) → \(V_a > 0\)
  • Inverter (regenerating): \(90° < \alpha < 180°\) → \(V_a < 0\)
Inverter Requirement
Inverter operation requires a back-EMF source (\(E_g \neq 0\)) to maintain current flow. Pure resistive loads cannot sustain inverter operation. The motor's back-EMF drives the current through the converter back to the supply.

2. Motoring, Regeneration; Torque, Speed, Power Factor, Efficiency

Problem Statement & Given Data

Motor & Supply Ratings
Motor rating10 hp, 230 V, 1200 rpm
AC supply260 V (rms), 60 Hz
Armature resistance \(R_a\)0.3 Ω
\(K_a\Phi\)0.182 V/rpm = 1.74 V·s/rad
Rated armature current \(I_{a,\text{rated}}\)38 A
Objective

Part 1 — Rectifier (Motoring), \(\alpha = 30°\), rated current:

  1. Motor torque
  2. Motor speed
  3. Supply power factor
  4. Drive efficiency

Part 2 — Inverter (Regenerating), field reversed, \(I_a = 38\,\text{A}\):

  1. Required firing angle
  2. Power fed back to supply

Part 1 — Rectifier (Motoring) at \(\alpha = 30°\)

Step 1 — Motor Torque

\[ T_d = K_a\Phi \cdot I_a = 1.74 \times 38 = \mathbf{66.12\,\text{N·m}} \]

Step 2 — Average Converter Voltage

\[ V_a = \frac{2\sqrt{2} \times 260}{\pi}\cos 30° = 234.1 \times 0.866 = 202.8\,\text{V} \]

Step 3 — Back-EMF and Motor Speed

\[ E_g = V_a - I_a R_a = 202.8 - 38 \times 0.3 = 191.4\,\text{V} \] \[ N = \frac{E_g}{K_a\Phi} = \frac{191.4}{0.182} = \mathbf{1051.6\,\text{rpm}} \]

Step 4 — Supply Power Factor

\[ I_{rms} = I_a = 38\,\text{A} \] \[ P_s = V_a \cdot I_a = 202.8 \times 38 = 7706\,\text{W} \] \[ S = V_s \cdot I_{rms} = 260 \times 38 = 9880\,\text{VA} \] \[ \text{PF} = \frac{P_s}{S} = \frac{7706}{9880} = \mathbf{0.780} \]

Step 5 — Armature-Circuit Efficiency

\[ \eta = \frac{E_g}{V_a} = \frac{191.4}{202.8} = \mathbf{94.4\%} \]
Part 1 — Results Summary
QuantityValue
Motor torque \(T_d\)66.12 N·m
Motor speed \(N\)1051.6 rpm
Supply power factor PF0.780
Armature efficiency \(\eta\)94.4%
Copper loss \(I_a^2 R_a\)433 W
Interpretation
5.6% of the input power is dissipated as armature copper loss \(I_a^2 R_a = 433\,\text{W}\). The power factor of 0.780 is characteristic of single-phase full converters operating at moderate firing angles — the converter draws a lagging, non-sinusoidal current from the supply.

Part 2 — Inverter (Regenerative) Operation, Field Reversed

Step 1 — New Back-EMF (field reversed)

Reversing the field polarity reverses the back-EMF: \(E_g = -191.4\,\text{V}\).
Armature current direction is unchanged: \(I_a = +38\,\text{A}\).

Step 2 — Required Terminal Voltage

\[ V_a = E_g + I_a R_a = -191.4 + 38 \times 0.3 = -180.0\,\text{V} \]

Step 3 — Firing Angle for Inverter Mode

\[ \cos\alpha = \frac{V_a \cdot \pi}{2\sqrt{2}\,V_s} = \frac{-180.0\,\pi}{2\sqrt{2} \times 260} = -0.769 \] \[ \alpha = \cos^{-1}(-0.769) = \mathbf{140.3°} \]

Note: \(\alpha > 90°\) confirms inverter (regenerating) operation.

Step 4 — Power Fed Back to Supply

\[ P_g = |E_g| \cdot I_a = 191.4 \times 38 = 7273\,\text{W} \] \[ P_R = I_a^2 R_a = 38^2 \times 0.3 = 433\,\text{W} \] \[ P_s = P_g - P_R = 7273 - 433 = \mathbf{6840\,\text{W}} \]
Part 2 — Results Summary
QuantityValue
Firing angle \(\alpha\)140.3°
Power fed back \(P_s\)6840 W
Inverter Mode — Physical Explanation
During regenerative braking, the motor acts as a generator. The back-EMF drives current through the armature in the same direction as before, but the terminal voltage is now negative. The converter fires late (\(\alpha > 90°\)) so its average output opposes the back-EMF, channelling motor kinetic energy back to the AC supply. Armature copper loss \((P_R = 433\,\text{W})\) is the only energy not returned.

3. Firing Angle, Motor Power, Supply Power Factor

Problem Statement & Given Data

Motor & Supply Ratings
Motor rating5 hp, 110 V, 1200 rpm
AC supply120 V, 60 Hz
Armature resistance \(R_a\)0.4 Ω
Armature inductance \(L_a\)5 mH
\(K_a\Phi\)0.09 V/rpm
Operating speed \(N\)1000 rpm
Armature current \(I_a\)30 A (ripple-free)
Objective

1. Rectifier operation:

  1. Firing angle \(\alpha\)
  2. Power delivered to motor
  3. Supply power factor

2. Inverter operation (field reversed):

  1. Firing angle \(\alpha\)
  2. Power fed back to supply

Rectifier Operation

Converter Maximum Voltage

\[ V_{do} = \frac{2\sqrt{2} \times 120}{\pi} = 108.04\,\text{V} \]

Back-EMF and Required Terminal Voltage

\[ E_g = K_a\Phi \times N = 0.09 \times 1000 = 90\,\text{V} \] \[ V_a = E_g + I_a R_a = 90 + 30 \times 0.4 = 102\,\text{V} \]

Firing Angle

\[ \cos\alpha = \frac{V_a}{V_{do}} = \frac{102}{108.04} = 0.9441 \] \[ \alpha = \mathbf{19.3°} \]

Power Delivered to Motor

\[ P = V_a \cdot I_a = 102 \times 30 = \mathbf{3060\,\text{W}} \]

Supply Power Factor

\[ S = V_s \cdot I_{rms} = 120 \times 30 = 3600\,\text{VA} \] \[ \text{PF} = \frac{P}{S} = \frac{3060}{3600} = \mathbf{0.85} \]
Rectifier Results
QuantityValue
Firing angle \(\alpha\)19.3°
Power to motor3060 W
Supply power factor0.85
Note on PF
The ripple-free current assumption means \(I_{rms} = I_a\). The power factor at \(\alpha = 19.3°\) is 0.85 — relatively good because the firing angle is small (converter output close to maximum).

Inverter Operation (Field Reversed)

New Terminal Voltage (field reversed)

\(E_g = -90\,\text{V}\); \(I_a = +30\,\text{A}\) (direction unchanged).

\[ V_a = -90 + 30 \times 0.4 = -78\,\text{V} \]

Firing Angle for Inverter Mode

\[ \cos\alpha = \frac{-78}{108.04} = -0.7219 \] \[ \alpha = \mathbf{136.2°} \]

Power Fed Back to Supply

\[ P_{dc} = |E_g| \cdot I_a = 90 \times 30 = 2700\,\text{W} \] \[ P_R = I_a^2 R_a = 900 \times 0.4 = 360\,\text{W} \] \[ P_s = P_{dc} - P_R = 2700 - 360 = \mathbf{2340\,\text{W}} \]
Inverter Results
QuantityValue
Firing angle \(\alpha\)136.2°
Power returned to supply2340 W
Armature copper loss \(P_R\)360 W
Energy Balance
Of the 2700 W generated by the motor's back-EMF, 360 W (13.3%) is lost as armature copper loss and 2340 W (86.7%) is successfully returned to the AC supply.

4. Four-Quadrant Operation; Motoring, Plugging, Regenerative Braking

Problem Statement & Given Data

Motor & Supply Ratings
Motor rating220 V, 1500 rpm, 11.6 A
AC supply230 V, 50 Hz
Armature resistance \(R_a\)2 Ω
Continuous current conditionTorques ≥ 25% rated
Objective
  1. Firing angle for rated torque at 1000 rpm (forward motoring)
  2. Firing angle for rated braking torque at −1500 rpm (plugging/reverse)
  3. Speed when \(\alpha = 160°\) at rated torque (regenerative braking, 2nd quadrant)

Motor Constants & Preliminary Calculations

Back-EMF Constant

\[ E_{\text{rated}} = V_{\text{rated}} - I_{\text{rated}}\,R_a = 220 - 11.6 \times 2 = 196.8\,\text{V} \] \[ \omega_{\text{rated}} = \frac{1500 \times 2\pi}{60} = 157.1\,\text{rad/s} \] \[ K = \frac{E_{\text{rated}}}{\omega_{\text{rated}}} = \frac{196.8}{157.1} = 1.253\,\text{V·s/rad} \]

Maximum Converter Voltage

\[ V_{do} = \frac{2\sqrt{2} \times 230}{\pi} = 207.1\,\text{V} \]
Motor constant K
\(K = 1.253\,\text{V·s/rad}\) relates back-EMF to angular speed: \(E_g = K\omega\). This constant is used for all three operating conditions below.

Case 1 — Forward Motoring at 1000 rpm (Quadrant 1)

\[ \begin{aligned} \omega_{1000} &= \frac{1000 \times 2\pi}{60} \\ &= 104.7\,\text{rad/s} \\ \\ E_{1000} &= K\,\omega_{1000} \\ &= 1.253 \times 104.7 \\ &= 131.2\,\text{V} \\ \\ V_{dc} &= E_{1000} + I_{\text{rated}}\,R_a \\ &= 131.2 + 11.6 \times 2 \\ &= 154.4\,\text{V} \\ \\ \cos\alpha &= \frac{154.4}{207.1} \\ &= 0.7455 \implies \alpha = \mathbf{41.7^\circ} \end{aligned} \]
Q1: Forward Motoring
\(\alpha = 41.7° < 90°\) confirms rectifier (motoring) mode. The converter supplies positive voltage and current to the motor.

Case 2 — Rated Braking Torque at −1500 rpm (Plugging)

Rated braking torque requires \(I_a = +11.6\,\text{A}\) (same direction).
Reverse speed means \(E_g < 0\):

\[ \begin{aligned} E_{-1500} &= 1.253 \times (-157.1) \\ &= -196.8\,\text{V} \\ \\ V_{dc} &= -196.8 + 11.6 \times 2 \\ &= -173.6\,\text{V} \\ \\ \cos\alpha &= \frac{-173.6}{207.1} \\ &= -0.8384 \\ \\ \alpha &= \mathbf{147.0^\circ} \end{aligned} \]
Plugging / Reverse Operation
At \(\alpha = 147° > 90°\), the converter operates in inverter mode (\(V_{dc} < 0\)), yet the motor back-EMF is also negative (reverse speed). Positive current still flows, producing braking torque. This is essentially dynamic braking through the converter.

Case 3 — Regenerative Braking: Speed at \(\alpha = 160°\)

\[ \begin{aligned} V_{dc} &= 207.1 \cos(160^\circ) \\ &= 207.1 \times (-0.9397) \\ &= -194.6\,\text{V} \\ \\ E &= V_{dc} - I_{\text{rated}}\,R_a \\ &= -194.6 - 11.6 \times 2 \\ &= -217.8\,\text{V} \\ \\ \omega &= \frac{E}{K} \\ &= \frac{-217.8}{1.253} \\ &= -173.8\,\text{rad/s} \\ \\ N &= -173.8 \times \frac{60}{2\pi} \\ &= \mathbf{-1660\,\text{rpm}} \end{aligned} \]
Physical Interpretation
The negative speed confirms reverse-direction regenerative braking (2nd quadrant of the torque–speed plane: positive torque, negative speed). The motor acts as a generator returning kinetic energy to the AC supply.
Four-Quadrant Summary
Condition\(\alpha\)Speed
Forward motoring41.7°+1000 rpm
Plugging (reverse)147.0°−1500 rpm
Regen. braking160°−1660 rpm