Supply System for Three-Level Inverters Using Multi-Pulse Rectifiers with Coupled Reactors

Abstract

The paper presents a proposal of the multi-pulse AC/DC converter for providing supply for multilevel inverters and considerably reducing the line current distortion factor. It can be applied as a suitable source of DC voltage and is convenient to supply such inverters that need three or more voltage terminals to supply all sections of the inverter. The converter in question works as a multi-pulse rectifier supplying a three-level NPC (Neutral Point Clamped) inverter. The load introduced by the inverter is simulated as an impedance depended on a selected inverter state. All possible states are determined by using a set of three digits: 0, 1, 2. The sourcing converter is constructed from diode bridge rectifiers connected in parallel as well as the system of magnetically coupled reactors. The reactors are used to shift subsequent line voltages so that they create a multiphase voltage system supplying component rectifiers. The article presents two alternative rectifiers: A 12-pulse diode rectifier using one magnetically coupled reactor unit 3CRλ, and a 24-pulse one using three 3CRλ units. Simulation and experimental tests have been executed and selected results included. Conclusion and discussion are added.

Keywords

• power converters
• multi-pulse rectifiers
• NPC inverters
• magnetically coupled reactors