ABSTRACT
Rectifiers are electronic circuits that convert bidirectional voltage to unidirectional voltage. This process can be accomplished either by mechanical means employing commutators or by static means employing semiconductor devices. Static means of rectification is more efficient and reliable compared to rotating commutators. In this chapter, we will discuss rectification of electric power for industrial and commercial use. In other words, we will not be discussing small signal rectification that generally involves low power and low voltage signals. Static power rectifiers can be classified into two broad groups. They are (a) uncontrolled rectifiers and (b) controlled rectifiers. Uncontrolled rectifiers make use of power semiconductor diodes while controlled rectifiers make use of thyristors (SCRs), gate turn Off thyristors (GTOs), and MOSFET controlled thyristors (MCTs).
