AC/DC Converters

The half-wave rectifier is a converter which carries out half-wave rectification. In a single-phase context, this is a converter including a diode which may be qualified as P1; in a three-phase context, we use P3, and in a generalized case with n phases, P n . A single-phase half-wave rectifier is shown. Note that the alternating current (AC) side is connected to an ideal voltage source V r , while the direct current (DC) side powers a resistance R . This configuration will also be used for other converters, but we will also study the case of a power supply to a current source I 0 presumed to be constant. Note that in the P 1 context, it is not possible to power a current source, as this would require permanent conduction through the only diode in the circuit.