Three-phase full converter with firing angle α < 60° – instantaneous DC output polarity In a 3-phase full converter (line-commutated) supplying a DC load, if the firing angle is less than 60°, how does the instantaneous DC output voltage behave?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: will have positive part only

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The instantaneous output of a 3-phase full converter is formed from segments of line-to-line voltages selected by controlled thyristors. The firing angle α sets when each device conducts and thus determines polarity and average value of the output voltage.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Line-commutated 3-phase full converter.
  • Firing angle α < 60°.
  • Typical RL load with sufficiently continuous current.


Concept / Approach:

For α in the rectification range (0° to < 90°), the converter selects the most positive line-to-line voltages at appropriate intervals, producing a unidirectional (positive) instantaneous DC voltage. Negative instantaneous segments arise as α increases well beyond 60–90° or under inverter operation (α > 90°).


Step-by-Step Solution:

At small α, device triggering occurs near natural commutation points, capturing positive line-to-line segments.With continuous current, commutation overlap does not reverse the output polarity for α < 60°.Hence the instantaneous output remains positive throughout.


Verification / Alternative check:

Waveforms from standard texts show unipolar positive DC for α below about 60°–90°, with average Vdc proportional to cos α and still positive for α < 90°.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • “Both positive and negative parts” occurs near inversion (α large) or with discontinuous current.
  • “May have both” is too vague for α < 60° under stated assumptions.
  • “Negative part if load is inductive” is incorrect; inductance sustains current but does not flip instantaneous polarity at small α.


Common Pitfalls:

Confusing average negative voltage (α > 90°) with instantaneous polarity at small firing angles.


Final Answer:

will have positive part only

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