RECTIFIERS: THE SYNCHRONOUS CONVERTER 337 



solid lino, Fig. 310(a). This condition of operation could not be 

 maintained with the mercury arc, because the arc is extinguished 

 as soon as the current becomes zero. 



To obtain a continuous flow of current through the tube, two 

 anodes, A\ t A. are necessary, one anode being connected to each 

 end of the transformer secondary. When one end of the trans- 

 former becomes negative, the other becomes positive, so that 

 either one anode or the other is always positive. Therefore, 



(a) Negative half of wave cut off. 

 A 2 A* A 2 A, 



(6) Negative half rectified; no reactance. 

 /I, A 2 -A i A 2 A i At 



-WVYW 



(c) Negative half rectified,- reactance producing a 

 pulsating uni-directional current. 



Fio. 310. Rectified altornatiim-fiirrcnt waves. 



current is always entering the lube from either one anode or the 

 otlx-r. Were there no inductance in circuit, the rectified wave 

 under these conditions would appear as shown in Fi^. 31 

 The portions of the wave marked .1, ;ire due to anode .1,. .-ind 

 those marked A* to anode A^. Kadi of these portions reaches 

 value twice !.! each cycle of current supply. This 

 would cause the be extinguished. | J ,y intmducir. 



ductance in tin- circuit, however, the current is held over the 

 22 



