Line commutated converters

Line commutated converters, also known as rectifier circuits, use natural commutation to convert alternating current into direct current. They can be uncontrolled rectifiers, controlled rectifiers, or semi-controlled rectifiers. A half wave controlled rectifier with a resistive load produces an output voltage equal to the peak input voltage multiplied by the duty cycle, while one with an inductive load has a higher effective output voltage due to freewheeling diodes. Full wave control circuits use two SCRs or a triac to rectify each half cycle, operating in either a midpoint or bridge configuration to produce direct current without or with freewheeling diodes.