Converter Classification

ECE 442 Power

Electronics

First-Quadrant Converter
Load Current iL flows
into the load (+)
Load Voltage is +
Rectifier

ECE 442 Power

Electronics

Second-Quadrant Converter
Load Voltage is +
Load Current iL flows
out of the load (-)
Inverter

ECE 442 Power

Electronics

Second-Quadrant Converter

ECE 442 Power

Electronics

When the switch is closed

E forces current through L, load voltage v L = 0

di
0 L
Ri E
dt
i (0) I
L

E
i I e (1 e )
R
0 t kT
R
t
L

R
t
L

t t kT ,
1

i (t ) I

ECE 442 Power

L
Electronics

When the switch is opened

di
V L
Ri E
dt
i (t ) I
L

V E
i Ie
(1 e )
R
0 t t
R
t
L

R
t
L

t (1 k)T
2

ECE 442 Power

Electronics

V
I
R
V
I
R
TR
z
L
S

1 e
E

1 e
R
e e
E

1 e
R
(1k ) z

kz

ECE 442 Power

Electronics

First and Second Quadrant Converter

ECE 442 Power

Electronics

S1 and D4 operate as a first-quadrant converter.

S2 and D4D1 operate as a second-quadrant

converter
ECE 442 Power
Electronics

Second Quadrant Operation

S2 closed

S2 open
ECE 442 Power
Electronics

10

Third and Fourth Quadrant Converter

The load voltage is always negative, but the
load current is either positive or negative

ECE 442 Power

Electronics

11

Third Quadrant Operation

S3 closed

S3 open

iL, vL are always negative

ECE 442 Power
Electronics

12

Fourth Quadrant Operation

S2 closed load current +, load voltage (zero)

S2 open

load current +, load voltage negative, (-V s)

ECE 442 Power
Electronics

13

Four-Quadrant Converter
Load Current can be positive or negative
Load Voltage can be positive or negative

For fourth quadrant operation, reverse E.

ECE 442 Power
Electronics

14

Summary of a four-quadrant converter

ECE 442 Power

Electronics

15

Summary of the conducting devices

ECE 442 Power

Electronics

16