Advanced Power Electronics (2170906) Reading Material Unit 4 : Multipulse Converter Department of ap) Dar. sh Electrical Engineering ars an Institute of Engineering & TechnologyMultipulse Converters © Darshan 4.2, 421, Hardik Lakhani, EE Department ‘Advanced Power Electroi Introduction Major high-power drive manufacturers around the world are increasingly using multipulse rectifiers in their drives as front-end converters. ‘The rectifiers can be configured as 12-, 18 and 24-pulse rectifiers, powered by a phase shifting transformer with a number of secondary windings. Each secondary winding feeds a six-pulse rectifier. The D.C. output of the six-pulse rectifiers is connected to a voltage source inverter. The main feature of the multipulse rectifier lies in its ability to reduce the line current harmonic distortion. ‘This is achieved by the phase shifting transformer, through which some of the low- order harmonic currents generated by the six-pulse rectifiers are canceled. In general, the higher the number of rectifier pulses, the lower the line current distortion is. The rectifiers with more than 30-pulses are seldom used in practice mainly due to increased transformer costs and limited performance improvements. Definition and concept of multipulse converter Itis defined as diode/thyristor converters where the pulse number is greater than 6. Generally the pulse number is in multiple of 6 (assuming 3-phase system). So, 12, 18, 24-pulse circuits etc, are possible, ‘The rectifiers can be configured as 12-, 18- and 24-pulse rectifiers, powered by a phase shifting transformer with a number of secondary windings. Each secondary winding feeds a six-pulse diode rectifier. A 12-pulse converter, for example, consists of two 6-pulse converters fed from a 6-phase supply and connected in series or parallel on the D.C. side. 18-pulse has three 6-pulse circuits and so on. Since, a 6-phase supply is not normally available; supply using a phase shifting transformer. How itis different than 3 - phase fully controlled converter? The three phase fully controlled converter is widely used in the medium to moderately high power applications. However in very large power applications (such as HVDC transmission systems) the device ratings become impractically large. Also the relatively low frequency (5 and 7% in the A.C. side) harmonic voltages and currents produced by this converter become unacceptable, Classification of multipulse converter ‘The multipulse diode rectifiers can be classified into two types; 1. Series-type multipulse rectifiers 2, Separate-type multipulse rectifiers Series-type multipulse rectifiers Here, all the six-pulse rectifiers are connected in series on their D.C. side. In the medium-voltage drives, the series-type rectifier can be used as a front end for the is generated from the 3-phase (2170906)Multipulse Converters © Darshan inverter that requires a single D.C. supply such as three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter and multilevel flying-capacitor inverter. (a CONV-1 bis inne Vase VF —| Van CONV- 11 + Wage Y 4. A Yaz ) Figures. £ (a) Transformer connection of S-phase converters (b) Series connection of 6phase converters 4.2.2. Separate-type multipulse rectifiers igure 6, 2 Separate connection of Hardik Lakhani, EE Department CONV-1 CONV -II ‘Advanced Power Electroi (2170906)4. Multipulse Converters © Darshan © Here, each of the six-pulse rectifiers feeds a separate D.C. load. © This type of rectifier is suitable for use in a multilevel cascaded H-bridge inverter that requires a multiple units of isolated D.C. supplies. 4.3. Six-pulse converter () igure 6.2 (a) pulse converter with resistive load (3) Waveforms of pulse converter © The circuit diagram of a simplified six-pulse converter is shown in fig, 6.3{a), where, v2, ve, and v-are the phase voltages of the utility supply. Hardik Lakhani, EE Department ‘Advanced Power Electronics (2170906)> Darshan Multipulse Converters © For medium-voltage applications, each semiconductor device in the rectifier may be replaced by two or more devices in series. * To simplify the analysis, all the semiconductor devices are assumed to be ideal (no power losses or on-state voltage drop). © Fig, 6.3(b) shows a set of voltage and current waveforms of the rectifier. The phase voltages of the utility supply are defined by; V2 V,,sin(at) v,=v2V,,sin\ at-2n /3) (1) v,=V2 V.,sin(at-4x /3) ‘© Where, Vp is the rms value of the phase voltage and @ Is the angular frequency of the utility supply, given by © The line-to-line voltage vas can be calculated by; v2 Vsin(at +z /6) (4.2) inf, Yay © Where, V is the rms value of the line-to-line voltage relating to the phase voltage by V =V3Vph © The waveform of the line current i, has two humps per half-cycle of the supply frequency. © During interval |, van is higher than the other two line-to-line voltages. Diodes D1 and De are forward-biased and thus turned on. The D.C. voltage vais equal to Vat, and the line current is equals vat/Ra- During interval IL, D1 and Do conduct, and is = vac/Ra. Similarly, the waveform of isin the negative half-cycle can be obtained. © The other two line currents, i, and ic, have the same waveform as is, but lag is by 2/3 and 4n/3, respectively. © The D.C. voltage va contains six pulses per cycle of the supply frequency. The rectifier is, therefore, commonly known as a six-pulse rectifier. The average value of the D.C. voltage can be calculated by; LP Rv sin(ar+n/6) alae) x [Bs ah or Vv =1357 (43) © Two typical waveforms of the line current drawn by the six-pulse rectifier are shown in fig, 64. When the rectifier operates under the light load conditions with the fundamental line current Iu = 0.2 pu, the line current waveform is somewhat spiky. * The line current waveform contains two separate pulses per half-cycle of the supply frequency, which makes the D.C. current discontinuous. With the rectifier operating at the rated condition (In: = 1.0 pu), the two current pulses are partially overlapped, which leads to a continuous D.C. current. Hardik Lakhani, EE Department (2170906)4, Multipulse Converters Hardik Lakhani, EE Department ‘Advanced Power Electroi & Darshan 1.0 (pu) THD = 75.7% 05 “05 “10 20 (pu) 1.0 “10 -2.0 L 08 THD = 327% 0.6 T= 1 pu 04 0.2 o 250 500 750 TO00 lila) (c) Harmonic spectrum Figure. 4 Line eurrene waveform and harmonic content of the sie-pulse diode rectifier ‘The harmonic spectrum of the line current waveform is shown in fig. 6.4(¢).. The line current i, does not contain any even-order harmonics since the current waveform is of half-wave symmetry, defined by f(cst) = ~f{ot +). It does not contain any triplen (zero sequence) harmonic currents elther due to a balanced three-phase system. The dominant harmonics, such as the 5% and 7%, usually havea much higher magnitude than other harmonics. The line current THD is a function of the fundamental current Int, which is 75.7% at lat = 0.2 pu and 32.7% at la = 1.0 pu. The low-order dominant harmonics in the line current are of high magnitude, An effective approach to reducing the line current THD is, therefore, to remove these dominant harmonics from the system. This can be achieved by using multipulse rectifiers. 12-pulse series type diode rectifier Fig, 6.5 shows the typical configuration of a 12-pulse series-type diode rectifier. There are two identical six-pulse diode rectifiers powered by a phase-shifting transformer with two secondary windings. The D.C. outputs of the six-pulse rectifiers are connected in series. (2170906)Multipulse Converters © Darshan © To eliminate low-order harmonics in the line current ia, the line-to-line voltage viz of the ‘wye-connected secondary winding is in phase with the primary voltage vay while the delta-connected secondary winding voltage leads vag by 30°. ‘* The inductance Ls represents the total line inductance between the utility supply and the transformer, and L\ is the total leakage inductance of the transformer referred to the secondary side. © The D.C. filter capacitor Ca is assumed to be sufficiently large such that the D.C, voltage Vais ripple-free. 8=30" (a) 12-pulse di + a (b) Simplified diagram Figure 6. 512 pubsesertes gpediode rectifier ‘© Fig. 6.5(b) shows the simplified diagram of the 12-pulse diode rectifier. The transformer winding is represented by sign “Y” or “A” enclosed by a circle, where ‘Y’ denotes a three- phase wye-connected winding while ‘A’ represents a delta-connected winding Hardik Lakhani, EE Department ‘Advanced Power Electronics (2170906)4, Multipulse Converters Hardik Lakhani, EE Department & Darshan ops mS O et Renta -0.75 71.50 0.80 040 -0.40 -0.80 1.50 0.75 0 0.75 1505 Faden 08 0.6 04 sensieramenceerearemereaner 0.2 eprreenectemeneenn 9 250 500 750 1000 ‘flltz) Figure6. 6 Current waveforms and harmonic spectrum inthe L2puleserie-type rectifier ‘The D.C. current ig contains 12 pulses per cycle of the supply frequency. Atany time instant (excluding commutation intervals), the D.C. current ia flows through four diodes simultaneously, two in the top six-pulse rectifier and two in the bottom rectifier. The D.C. current ripple is relatively low due to the series connection of the two six-pulse rectifiers, where the leakage inductances of the secondary windings can be considered in series, ‘The currents {,, and fy are the secondary line currents {, and fg referred to the primary side, Since both primary and top secondary windings are connected in wye, the waveform of the referred current i, is identical to that of i,, except that its magnitude may be different due to the turn ratio of the two windings. When ig is referred to the primary side, the referred current {; does not keep the same waveform as iz. ‘The changes in waveform are caused by the phase displacement of the harmonic currents when they are referred from the delta-connected secondary winding to the wye-connected primary winding. (2170906)Multipulse Converters © Darshan © Itis the phase displacement that makes certain harmonics, such as the 5th and 7th, in iy out of phase with those in i, Only 12kc1 (kc 2,3... present in the is, * Asa result, these harmonic currents are canceled in the transformer primary winding and do not appear in the primary line current, given by; 4 18-pulse series type diode rectifier het (4.4) = 20" (a) 18-pulse diode rectifier (b) Current waveforms in the 18-pulse series-type rectifier ‘Figure 6. 7 18puise series type diode rectifier * The block diagram of an 18-pulse series-type diode rectifier is shown in fig. 6.7. The rectifier has three units of identical 6-pulse diode rectifiers fed by a phase shifting transformer. * The sign “Z” enclosed by a circle represents a three-phase zigzag-connected winding, which provides a required phase displacement 5 between the primary and secondary line-to-line voltages. Hardik Lakhani, EE Department Advanced Power Electronics (2170906) aMultipulse Converters © Darshan Hardik Lakhani, EE Department ‘Advanced Power Electroi The 18-pulse rectifier is able to eliminate four dominant harmonics (the 5th, 7th, 11th, and 13th). This can be achieved by employing a phase-shifting transformer with a 20° pha0se displacement between any two adjacent secondary windings. The typical values of 5 are 20°, 0°, and -20° for the top, middle, and bottom secondary windings, respectively. Other arrangements for 6 are possible, such as 8= 0°, 20° and 40°, A set of simulated waveforms for the rectifier are shown in fig. 6.7(b), where é, i and i; are the primary current components referred from the secondary side of the transformer, The waveforms of these currents are all different due to the phase displacement of harmonic currents when they are transferred from the secondary to the primary winding, ‘The waveforms of the secondary currents f,, {, and {; are not given in the figure, but they have the same shape. The harmonic content of the primary and secondary line currents are given in fig. 6.7(b). The secondary line current has a THD of 23.7%, while the THD of the primary line current is only 3.06% due to the elimination of four dominant harmonies (5th, 7th, Lith, or 13th). 24-pulse series type diode rectifier The configuration of a 24-pulse series-type diode rectifier is shown in fig, 6.8, where a phase-shifting transformer is used to power four sets of six-pulse diode rectifiers. To eliminate six dominant current harmonics (the 5%, 74, 11°, 13%, 17%, and 19%), the transformer should be arranged such that there is a 15° phase displacement between the voltages of any two adjacent secondary windings. (a) 24-pulse diode rectifier (2170906)Multipulse Converters © Darshan 4.8.1. Hardik Lakhani, EE Department (b) Current waveforms in the 24-pulse series-type rectifier Figure 6. 8 24 pulseseriestypediods rectifier Fig. 6.8(b) shows the current waveforms in the 24-pulse diode rectifler operating under rated conditions, where i,,,ii,i; and i, are the primary currents referred from the secondary side of the transformer. Each of these currents has a THD of 24%. The primary line current ig is virtually a sinusoid with only 1.49% total harmonic distortion, Phase-shifting transformer The phase-shifting transformer is an indispensable device in multipulse diode/SCR rectifiers. It provides three main functions: 1. A required phase displacement between the primary and secondary line-to- line voltages for harmonic cancellation, 2. A proper secondary voltage and 3, An electric isolation between the rectifier and the utility supply. According to the winding arrangements, the transformers can be classified into Y/Z and A/Z configurations, where the primary winding can be connected in wye (Y) or delta (A) while the secondary windings are normally in zigzag (Z) connection. Both configurations can be equally used in the multipulse rectifiers. Y/Z phase-shifting transformer Depending on winding connections, the line-to-line voltage of the transformer secondary winding may lead or lag its primary voltage by a phase angle ‘8. ‘The ¥/Z-1 transformers to be presented below provide a leading phase angle, while the Y/Z-2 transformers generate a lagging angle. Y/Z-1 phase-shifting transformer Fig. 6.9 shows a Y/Z-1 phase-shifting transformer and its phasor diagram. The primary winding is connected in wye with Nj turns per phase. The secondary winding is composed of two sets of coils having Nz and N3 turns per phase. ‘The Nz coils are connected in delta and then in series with the Ns coils. Such an arrangement is known as zigzag or extended-delta connection. As shown in its phasor diagram, the transformer can produce a phase shifting angle 5, defined by; 6 = V5 — Vp. (2170906) 104. Multipulse Converters © Darshan (a) Connection diagram Vez Va (b) Phasor diagram Figure6 99/21 phase shifting transformer © Where, Vyy and V/,, are the phasors for the primary and secondary line-to-line voltages vag and vai, respectively. * To determine the turns ratio for the transformer, let’s consider a triangle composed of Vo, ¥jy and Vey in the phasor diagram, from which Y Ye ——- or<8<30° (43) sin(30°-6) sin(30°+8) * Where, Vais the rms voltage across the Ns coil and Viy is the rms phase voltage between notes b and y. © Since Viy is equal to Vix in a balanced three-phase system, eqn. (4.5) can be rewritten as V, _ sin(30°-8) oe 4.6) Vv, sin(30°+68) 85) * from which the turns ratio of the secondary coils is Nz Yo _sin(30°~8 int ) an N,+N, ¥,, sin(30°+8) Hardik Lakhani, EE Department ‘Advanced Power Electronics (2170906) 1142.2. Hardik Lakhani, EE Department ‘Advanced Power Electroi Multipulse Converters > Darshan For a given value of 8, the ratio of Ns to (Nz + Ns) can be determined. Similarly, the following relationship can be derived: v, ¥, a 4.8) sin120° sin(30°+6) from which v=%, = Foinlsorr oy (49) 8 The turns ratio of the transformer is defined by NY, 4 a Wawr (4.10) Substituting eqn. (4.9) into eqn. (4.10) yields X, 1 Nye an +N, 2sin(30°+8) ny Where, Vig = V3Viy- Let's now exar \e two extreme cases. Assuming that Nz is reduced to zero, the secondary winding in fig. 6.9(a) becomes wye-connected, and thus Vay is in phase with Vas, leading to 5= 0°. Alternatively, if Na = 0, the secondary winding becomes delta-connected, resulting in 5 = 30°. Therefore, the phase-shifting angle 3 for the Y/Z-1 transformer is in the range of 0° to 30%, Y/Z-2 phase-shifting transformer ‘The configuration of a Y/Z-2 phase-shifting transformer is shown in fig, 6.10, where the primary winding remains the same as that in the Y/Z- transformer while the secondary delta-connected colls are connected in a reverse order. Following the same procedure presented earlier, the transformer turns ratio can be found from ¥__sin(30°—la N+, sin(30°[a)) Mt Np WN, 2sin(so+[al) Fes -30°<8<0" (4:12) (4.13) The phase angle 5 has a negative value for the Y/Z-2 transformer, indicating that Vas lags Vas by |3| as shown in fig. 6.10 (b). ‘Table 6.1 gives the typical value of 8 and turns ratio of the Y/Z. transformers for use in multipulse rectifiers. The voltage ratio Vau/Van Is normally equal to 2, 3, and 4 for the 12,, 18-, and 24-pulse rectifiers, respectively. (2170906) 12