Unit power factor single-phase rectifier with reduced conduction loss using a non-dissipative passive snubber

Abstract

This paper presents a single-phase rectifier with low conduction losses. To have a further reduction in the rectifier losses, a passive non- dissipative snubber is included in the rectifier. The snubber allows non-dissipative commutation at the switches within a large range of the input current. The snubber reduces the rate of the current grow during the switch turn on and also the rate of voltage grow during the switch turn off. The performance of the snubber circuit associated with the low conduction losses results in a rectifier with high efficiency. The design of a three KW rectifier is also presented and simulation results are shown to access the performance of the proposed rectifier.