International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Engineering (IJETE)
Volume 4 Issue 5, May 2017, ISSN 2348 8050
MODELING AND SIMULATION OF SINGLE PHASE
CYCLOCONVERTOR
Anand K Pandey1, Ritesh Kumar Rai2
JSS Academy of Technical Education, Noida1
JIMS Engineering Management Technical Campus, Greater Noida2
Abstract
This research paper presents the complete modelling and
simulation of single phase step-down cycloconverter.
Basically single phase cycloconverter generates double,
triple and fourth times of the output frequency. A
Cycloconverter is a device that converts AC, power at one
frequency into AC power of an adjustable but lower
frequency without any direct current, or DC, stage in
between. It can also be considered as a static frequency
changer and typically contains silicon-controlled rectifiers.
The FFT analysis of output current waveform has also
been discussed in this paper.
Key Words: Cycloconverter, MATLAB, Pulse generator,
Thyristor.
1. INTRODUCTION
In this paper cycloconverter [fig.1] is introduced as a type
of power controller, where an alternating voltage at supply
frequency is converted directly to an alternating voltage at
load frequency (normally lower), without any intermediate
dc stage. Cycloconverters are used in high power
applications such as driving induction and synchronous
motors. They are usually phase-controlled and they
traditionally use thyristors due to their ease of phase
commutation. The Cycloconverters are used in very large
variable frequency drives with ratings from few megawatts
up to many folds of megawatts. A Single Phase step up
cycloconverter circuit diagram is shown in [fig 2].
Then the circuit of a single phase to single
cycloconverter of a single-phase to using thyristors is
presented.Traditionally, ac-ac conversion using
semiconductor switches is done in two different ways:
I. In two stages (ac-dc and then dc-ac) as in dc link
converters or
II. In one stage (ac-ac) cycloconverters.
Fig-1: Block Diagram of a cycloconverter
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1.1 Cycloconverter:
A cycloconverter is a type of power controlled in which
an alternating voltage at supply frequency is converted
directly to an alternating voltage at load frequency without
any intermediate d.c stage. A cycloconverter is to
controlled through the timing of its firing pulses, so that it
produces an alternating output voltage. By controlling the
frequency and depth of phase modulation of the firing
angles of the converters, it is possible to control the
frequency and amplitude of the output voltage. Thus, a
cycloconverter has the facility for continuous and
independent control over both its output frequency and
voltage. This frequency is normally less than 1/3 of the
input frequency. The quality of output voltage wave and its
harmonic distortion also impose the restriction on this
frequency. The distortion is very low at low output
frequency. There are other newer forms of cyclo
conversion such as ac-ac matrix converters and high
frequency ac-ac (hfac-ac) converters and these use self-
controlled switches. These converters, however, are not
popular yet. Some applications of cycloconverters are:
Cement mill drives
Ship propulsion drives
Rolling mill drives
Scherbius drives
Ore grinding mills
Mine winders
The Cycloconverter is used as a variable frequency
variable speed drives for AC machines. The input of the
cycloconverter is connected to a power supply with fixed
frequency and the machine to be driven is connected to the
output of the cycloconverter. In the second application
area, in contrast, the cycloconverter is used to provide
constant frequency power output from a variable frequency
power source.
1.2 Basic Principle Of Cycloconverter
1.2.1 Step-up Cycloconverter [Fig-2]
P1,P2 -> Positive Group Thyristor
N1,N2 -> Negative Group Thyristor
In Single Phase Step Up CycloConverter, during a positive
half cycle of supply voltage terminal A is positive with
respect to terminal B so that SCRs P1 and N2 are forward
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 International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Engineering (IJETE)
Volume 4 Issue 5, May 2017, ISSN 2348 8050

biased from wt = 0 to wt = . SCR P1 is turned on at wt =

0, so that load voltage is positive. At certain instant wt1,
P1 is forced commutated and N2 is turned on by providing
a gate signal to it and it remains in a conduction state and
load voltage is negative.
Similarly, at wt2, N2 is forced commutated and P1 is
turned on and load voltage is positive. So, we can repeat
this process by turning on and turning off the Positive
Group Thyristor in the appropriate time interval. When wt Fig-3: Step-down single phase Cycloconverter
= , terminal B is positive with respect to terminal A; both
SCR P2 and N1 are therefore forward biased from wt = 2. Simulation Modelling of Step-down
to 2. In the same way, P2 and N1 are turned on and off in Cycloconverter
a certain sequence.Thus, by switching the positive group
thyristor and Negative group thyristor in a certain 2. Simulink Diagram
appropriate sequence as mentioned above, the frequency
of the output voltage is increased certain times than
frequency of input voltage.

Fig-2: Step-up single phase Cycloconverter

1.2.2 Step-down Cycloconverter

In this converter, two single phase controlled converters are

operated as a bridge rectifier. And they are named as P-
Converter and N-Converter where P and N mean positive Fig-4: simulation based model of step-down
and negative. Thus P-Converter gives positive output cycloconverter
voltage while N-Converter gives negative output voltage. Output Waveform:
However, their delay angles are such that the output
voltage of P-Converter is equal to the output voltage of N-
Converter.
From the figure below we observe that the gate signals are
provided to the thyristor of the P-Converter from time
instant zero to 3 and to the remaining thyristor of N-
converter from 3 to 6 . Thus the frequency of output
voltage is fs/3 of the frequency of the source frequency. It
is seen that the output voltage isnt purely sinusoidal and
has high harmonic contents in it.
Gating Sequence:
During the first period of output frequency to /2,
P-Converter operates at a delay angle p = i.e
by gating T1 and T2 at and T3 and T4 at ( + ). Fig-5: Output voltage and current waveforms
During the negative half cycle, To/2, N-Converter
operating at delay angle of n = i.e by gating Inference from the output waveform:
T1and T2 at 3 + and T3 and T4 at 4 + . 1. The average output voltage waveform is far from
sinusoidal since the firing angle is held constant.

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 International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Engineering (IJETE)
Volume 4 Issue 5, May 2017, ISSN 2348 8050

2. The current waveform not repeated after every

cycle
3. Some circulating current is allowed to flow from
the positiveconverter to the negative converter. In
this case a circulating current limit in reactor is
connected between the positive and negative
converter.
4. In order to obtain reasonably good sinusoidal or
square output voltage waveform using line
commutated two quadrant converter and
eliminating the possibility of short circuit of the
supply voltage, the output frequency is limited to
a value much lower than supply frequency.

3. CONCLUSIONS

The cycloconverter circuits are designed and simulated

and desired results are obtained. Cycloconverters are
widely used in industry for ac-to-ac conversion. With
recent device advances, newer forms of cyclo conversion
are being developed. These newer forms are drawing more
research interest. In this article, the most commonly
known cycloconverter scheme is introduced, and its
operation principle is discussed. For more detailed
information, the following references can be used.

REFERENCES
[1] Thyristorised Power Controller by G K Dubey, S R
Doradla, A Joshi, New Age International Publisher.
[2] B. K. Bose, Power Electronics and Ac Drives,
Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 1986.
[3] Getting started With MATLAB by Rudra Pratap.

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