Complex Waveforms 669
The current waveform is shown in Figure 36.20(c) and is derived
as follows. At time t
1
, point a on the voltage curve corresponds to
point b on the flux density curve and the point c on the hysteresis
loop. The current at time t
1
is given by the distance dc. Plotting
this current on a vertical time-scale gives the derived point e on the
current curve. A similar procedure is adopted for times t
2
, t
3
and
so on over one cycle of the voltage.
(Note that it is important to move around the hysteresis loop
in the correct direction.) It is seen from the current curve that
it is non-sinusoidal and that the positive and negative half-cycles
are identical. This indicates that the waveform contains only odd
harmonics (see Section (36.3)).
(v) If, in a circuit containing a ferromagnetic-cored coil, the resistance
is high compared with the inductive reactance, then the current
flowing from a sinusoidal supply will tend to be sinusoidal. This
means that the flux density B of the core cannot be sinusoidal
since it is related to the current by the hysteresis loop. This means,
in turn, that the induced voltage due to the alternating flux (i.e.,
v D NAdB/dt) will not be sinusoidal. This condition is called
forced magnetization.
The shape of the induced voltage waveform under forced
magnetizationis obtainedas follows.The current waveformis shown
onaverticalaxisinFigure 36.21(a).Thehysteresisloopcorresponding
to the maximum value of circuit current is drawn as shown in
Figure 36.21(b). The flux density curve which is derived from the
sinusoidal current waveform is shown in Figure 36.21(c). Point a on
the current wave at time t
1
corresponds to point b on the hysteresis
loop and to point c on the flux density curve. By taking other points
throughoutthecurrentcyclethefluxdensitycurveisderivedasshown.
The relationship between the induced voltage
v and the flux
density B is given by
v D NAdB/dt. Here dB/dt represents the
rate of change of flux density with respect to time, i.e., the gradient
of the B/t curve. At point d the gradient of the B/t curve is a
maximum in the positive direction. Thus
v will be maximum posi-
tive as shown by point d’ in Figure 36.21(d). At point e the gradient
(i.e., dB/dt) is zero, thus
v is zero, as shown by point e’. At point f
the gradient is maximum in a negative direction, thus
v is maximum
negative, as shown by point f’. If all such points are taken around
the B/t curve, the curve representing induced voltage, shown in
Figure 36.21(d), is produced. The resulting voltage waveform is
nonsinusoidal. The positive and negative half-cycles are identical
in shape, indicating that the waveform contains a fundamental and
a prominent third harmonic.
(vi) The amount of power delivered to a load can be controlled using a
thyristor, which is a semi-conductor device. Examples of applica-
tions of controlled rectification include lamp and heater controls and
the control of motor speeds. A basic circuit used for single-phase
power control is shown in Figure 36.22(a). The trigger module
contains circuitry to produce the necessary gate current to turn