Final answer:
Full wave rectification in a three-phase power system involves converting all phases of AC to DC using a six-diode bridge, resulting in a smoother DC voltage with less ripple. It is efficient and suitable for high power industrial applications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of full wave rectification in a three-phase power system refers to the process of converting the entire cycle of alternating current (AC) input into direct current (DC) output. Unlike single-phase rectification, which typically uses two diodes, a three-phase rectification uses six diodes, connected in a configuration known as a diode bridge, to rectify all three phases of the AC supply. This results in a six-pulse DC output, which has significantly less ripple than a single-phase rectifier and therefore provides a smoother DC voltage.
During full wave rectification, the positive half-cycles of all three phases are passed through to the output, as well as the negative half-cycles, which are inverted to become positive. This utilization of the entire AC waveform improves the efficiency of the power conversion and reduces the need for extensive filtering to smooth out the DC output. Additionally, a three-phase rectifier can handle higher power loads and is more commonly used in industrial settings where three-phase power is standard. It is essential to note that as the AC input voltage fluctuates, the DC output will also vary unless regulated. Moreover, applications using full wave rectification must consider power losses due to non-ideal behavior of real-world components, such as diode forward voltage drops.