Single-phase half-wave controlled rectifier

A single-phase half-wave controlled rectifier is a basic power electronic circuit that converts AC to DC using a thyristor (SCR)

Circuit Configuration

🔩 Components:

• AC source (single-phase)
• Single thyristor (SCR)
• Resistive or RL load
• Gate pulse generator (to trigger SCR)

🧭 Operation:

• SCR remains OFF until a gate pulse is applied
• After firing at angle α, the SCR conducts for the rest of the positive half-cycle
• During the negative half-cycle, the SCR turns OFF (natural commutation)
• No conduction occurs in the negative half, so the output is pulsed DC