Three phase PWM Rectifier for utility interface with

active current shaping for Unity Power Factor

Theory
Overview:
In AC-to-DC conversion applications, the three-phase rectifiers have essentially been either uncontrolled
or line-commutated, phase-controlled converters.

The inherent characteristic of these converters is a decrease in power factor when the firing angle is
increased and a high harmonic distortion of the input currents. Electrical standards specify absolute current
levels for every harmonic within a certain range of frequencies. These standards require AC-to-DC converters,
which interface with utility sources, to have input power factors closer to unity. Low harmonic content in
the line voltage is defined as the responsibility of the utility companies whereas low harmonic content in the
line current is the responsibility of the consumers or end-users. Conventional three-phase rectifier design
utilizes bulky, passive input filters for harmonic control, which can cause mechanical problems when system
physical size is an issue.

For three phase input power factor correction, a boost converter is used at the output of the rectifier.
Overall system efficiency is reduced as this DC-to-DC converter needs heavy filtering at the input. For a
conventional three-phase bridge rectifier, low current distortion and unity power factor at the input are the
most important design criterias. For AC-to-DC rectification via a capacitive filter, these criterias provide
maximum throughput power with negligible ill effects. Rectification needs to be controlled precisely in order
to obtain low-distortion input current at unity power factor. This is achieved through active power factor
correction at the input of the rectifier, using Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). PWM controls the input
currents to make them sinusoidal and in phase with their respective input voltages. Thus power factor at
the input is maintained close to unity.

Power Factor is defined as,

KW
PF = (1)
KV A

The power factor PF indicates efficiency of an electrical equipment in drawing power from the utility
source. Utility source equipment, such as transformers and switchgear are required to have higher VA
ratings since electrical equipment with a low operating PF for a given input voltage and power level require
large currents to be drawn.

Effects of reduced PF on utility grid and their users:

As the number of power electronic systems and loads being used today becomes higher, so does the
potential for significant adverse effects on the utility sources and their users. Some of these are as follows:

1. Additional heating and possible over-voltages (due to resonance conditions) in the distribution and
transmission equipment at the utility source.

2. Errors in metering and malfunction of utility relays.

3. Electromagnetic interference with communication and control signals.

4. Electrical equipment will draw power at a very low DPF, resulting in a very poor input power factor
(PF).

System Description:
Active power factor correction is carried out using following scheme:

1
Figure 1: system schematic

Figure 2: Control scheme

2
 In above control scheme Proportional-Integral (PI) controllers are used in order to minimize the input
error signals. The error signals are derived by calculating difference between reference set point and feedback
signals. For the implementation of dynamic system control; Park and Inverse Park transformation are used
i.e. control signal which is used for PWM generation is derived from Inverse Park transformation of Vd, Vq
whereas control action takes place after Park transformation. Rectifier DC voltage is controlled by comparing
it with DC voltage reference which will provide Idref (active power reference).

For unity power factor operation Iqref (reactive power reference) is maintained to zero. PI controller gains
(Kp, Ki) are optimized for proper control action. For desired operation; following criterion should satisfy by
rectifier circuit:

M (modulationindex) ≤ 1 (2)
V dc > 1.634VLL (3)

Transformations:
Following are the forward and reverse transformations used in order to obtain desire control.

abc to dq0 and its inverse transformation:

    
ud cosωt cos(ωt − 2π/3) cos(ωt + 2π/3) ua
 uq  = 2/3  −sinωt −sin(ωt − 2π/3) −sin(ωt − 2π/3)   ub  (4)
u0 1/2 1/2 1/2 uc
    
ua cosωt −sinωt 1 ud
 ub  =  cos(ωt − 2π/3) −sin(ωt − 2π/3) 1   uq  (5)
uc cos(ωt + 2π/3) −sin(ωt − 2π/3) 1 u0

abc to αβ0 transformation:

    
uα 2/3 −1/3
√ −1/3
√ ua
 uβ  =  0 1/ 3 1/ 3   ub  (6)
u0 1/3 1/3 1/3 uc

atan2 function:
Function atan2(y, x) is the four quadrant arctangent (inverse trigonometric) function with two arguments.
It gives the angle in radians between the positive x-axis of a plane and the point given by the coordinates
(x, y). Two arguments are needful in order to get information about the quadrant of computed angle where
it is not possible with single argument arctangent function.

−1
For example, arctan( 11 ) = π4 and arctan( −1 ) = π4 . Where, answer should be −3π4 . But atan2 function takes
into account the signs of both vector components, and places the angle in the correct quadrant.atan2(1, 1) =
π −3π
4 and atan2(−1, −1) = 4 . Additionally, the ordinary arctangent method breaks down when required to
±π
produce an angle of 2 (or ±90 deg). For example, an attempt to find the angle between the x-axis and the
vector (0, 1) requires evaluation of arctan( 10 ), which fails on division by zero. In contrast, atan2(1, 0) gives
the correct answer of π2 .

3
MATLAB Simulation
Simulation Model:
Figure 3 and 4 shows the MATLAB simulation model of UPF rectifier and PWM generation.

Figure 3: PFC rectifier MATLAB model

Figure 4: PWM model

4
Setting various parameters for blocks used:
1. Solver Options (model configuration parameters  solver)
(a) Type: Variable-step
(b) Solver: ode45
(c) Max step size: 2e-6
(d) Disable zero crossing detection.
2. Powergui (Simulink Library Browser  Simscape  SimPowerSystems  Powergui)

(a) Simulation type: Continuous

(b) Check “enable use of ideal switching devices”
(c) Check “disable snubbers in switching devices”
(d) Check “disable forward voltage in switching devices”

3. Three Phase Source (Simulink Library Browser  Simscape  SimPowerSystems  Electrical Sources
 Three Phase Source)
(a) Phase-to-phase rms voltage (V): 415
(b) Phase angle of phase A (degrees): 0
(c) Frequency (Hz): 50
(d) Internal connection: Yg
(e) Uncheck “Specify impedance using short-circuit level”
(f) Source resistance (Ohms): 0
(g) Source inductance (H): 0
(h) Base voltage (Vrms ph-ph): 25e3
4. Three-Phase VI Measurement (Simulink Library Browser  Simscape  SimPowerSystems  Mea-
surements  Three-Phase VI Measurement)
(a) Voltage measurement: phase to ground
(b) Check “Use a lebel”
(c) Signal label: Vabc
(d) Current measurement: yes
(e) Check “Use label”
(f) Signal label: Iabc

5. Three Phase series RLC Branch (Simulink Library Browser  Simscape  SimPowerSystems 
Elements  Three Phase series RLC Branch)
(a) Inductance L (H): 250e-6
6. Universal Bridge (Simulink Library Browser  Simscape  SimPowerSystems  Power Electronics
 Universal Bridge)
(a) Number of bridge arms: 3
(b) Power Electronic device: IGBT / Diodes

7. series RLC Branch (Simulink Library Browser  Simscape  SimPowerSystems  Elements  series
RLC Branch)
(a) Capacitance (F): 470e-6
(b) Resistance (ohms): 20
8. Continuous-time PI controllers (Simulink Library Browser  Simulink  Continuous  PID Con-
troller)

(a) For Vdc: P= 1; I= 100.

5
 (b) For Id: P= 115.278e-3; I= 19.672.
(c) For Iq: P= 115.278e-3; I= 19.672.
9. Gain: -2 (Simulink Library Browser  Simulink  Math Operations  Gain)

10. Dq0 to abc (Simulink Library Browser  Simscape  SimPowerSystems  Control and Measurements
Library  Transformations  Dq0 to abc)

(a) Rotating frame alignment at wt=0: Aligned with phase A axis

11. Fcn: atan2(u(2),u(1)) (Simulink Library Browser  Simulink  User-defined functions  Fcn)

12. Abc to dq0 (Simulink Library Browser  Simscape  SimPowerSystems  Control and Measurements
Library  Transformations  Abc to dq0)
(a) Rotating frame alignment at wt=0: Aligned with phase A axis
13. Repeating Sequence (Simulink Library Browser  Simulink  Sources  Repeating Sequence)

(a) Time values: [0 0.25/19201.229 0.5/19201.229 0.75/19201.229 1/19201.229]

(b) Output values: [0 0.5 0 -0.5 0]

6
Simulation Results:
Results shows Vdc (rectifier output DC voltage) which is maintained at 700 volts; Va (input phase a
voltage) and Ia (phase a rectifier input current). Iabc is the 3 phase current which is actively shaped using
PWM control strategy.

Figure 5: a) Rectifier output voltage (Vdc); b)Phase a voltage and current (Va and Ia)

7
PSCAD Simulation
Simulation Model:

Figure 6: PSCAD model of power factor correction rectifier

Setting parameters for various blocks used:

1. Run time setting
(a) Duration of run = 5 × 10− 2 s
(b) Solution Time Step = 2 × 10− 6 s
2. Voltage source : ( Master Library  Sources  [Three phase voltage source model 2] )
(a) Source Impedance : Ideal
(b) Source Type : AC
(c) Magnitude = 415 V
(d) Ramp up Time = 0 s
(e) Frequency = 50 Hz
3. IGBT : ( Master Library  HVDC Facts  IGBT )
(a) Enable snubber circuit: No

8
 (b) Thyristor ON Resistance = 0 Ω
4. Diode : ( Master Library  HVDC Facts  Diode )

(a) Enable snubber circuit : No

(b) Thyristor ON Resistance = 0.01 Ω
5. ABC to DQ0 Transformation : ( Master Library  CSMF  ABC to DQ0 Transformation )
(a) Direction of Transformation : ABC to DQ0
(b) Transformation angle : theta

6. DQ0 to ABC Transformation : ( Master Library  CSMF  DQ0 to ABC Transformation )

(a) Direction of Transformation : DQ0 to ABC
(b) Transformation angle : theta
7. ABC to alpha-beta : ( Examples  Machine Drives  DQO Alphabeta )

8. Real constant : ( Master Library  Miscellaneous  Real and integer constants )

(a) Real Constant Value = 700

9. PI control 1 : ( Master Library  CSMF  PI )

(a) Proportional gain = 1
(b) Integral time constant = 0.01 s
(c) Maximum limit = 200
(d) Minimum limit = -200
10. PI control 2 and 3 : ( Master Library  CSMF  PI )

(a) Proportional gain = 0.11527

(b) Integral time constant = 0.00585999 s
(c) Maximum limit = 200
(d) Minimum limit = -200

11. Signal generator : ( Master Library  CSMF  Signal generator )

(a) Frequency of the signal = 19200 Hz

(b) Maximum Output level = 0.5
(c) Minimum Output level = -0.5

12. Comparator : ( Master Library  CSMF  comparator )

(a) Output Type : Level
13. Logic inverter :( Master Library  LOGICAL  Logic inverter )

Note :
1. All the basic elements are available in the components .
2. Gain block, Summing/differencing, Square, Divider, Trigonometric Function Blocks are available in
CSMF ( Master Library  CSMF )
3. In order to plot a graph just click on the signal name and change the name and connect it to the
Output channel then right click on it go to graph pane / controls / meters and then click on add
overlay graph with signal.

9
Simulation Results:

Figure 7: a)Vdc; b)Phase a voltage and current

10
PSIM Simulation
Simulation Model:
Figure illustrates the PSIM model for 3-phase PWM rectifier with power factor correction.

Figure 8: Power Circuit

Figure 9: Control Circuit

Setting parameters for various blocks used:

1. Simulation Control (Simulate  Simulation Control)

(a) Time step = 2 × 10−6

(b) Total time = 50 × 10−3
2. 3-ph sinusoidal voltage source [VSIN] (Elements  Sources  Voltage  3-ph Sine)

3. 3-ph Inductor Branch [L3] (Elements  Power  RLC branchs  L3)

4. IGBT [IGBT1,IGBT2,IGBT3,IGBT4,IGBT5,IGBT6]

(a) Diode Threshold Voltage = 0

5. Label [ia,ib,ic,p1,p2,..,p6,Vdc,van,vbn,vcn,id,iq](Edit  Place Label)

6. Resistance Capacitor branch [RC] (Elements  Power  RLC branchs  RC)

11
 7. Grounded DC [VCC] (Elements  Sources  Voltage  Grounded DC(cicle))
8. PI
(a) PI1
i. Gain = 1
ii. Time constant = 0.01
(b) PI2,PI3
i. Gain = 0.11527
ii. Time constant = 0.00585999
9. On-Off Controller [ON1,ON2,ON3,ON4,ON5,ON6] (Elements  Other  Switch Controllers  On-
Off Controller)
10. dq0-abc Transformation [DQ0] (Elements  Other  Function Blocks  dq0-abc Transformation)
11. abc-dq0 Transformation [ABC] (Elements  Other  Function Blocks  abc-dq0 Transformation)
12. abc-alpha/beta Transformation [ABC AB] (Elements  Other  Function Blocks  abc-alpha/beta
Transformation)
13. Arc Tangent 2 [ATAN2] (Elements  Control  Computational Blocks  ArcTangent2)
14. Triangular wave voltage generator [VTRI]
(a) V peak to peak = 1
(b) Frequency = 19.2 k
(c) Duty Cycle = 0.5
(d) DC Offset = −0.5

Simulation Results:

Figure 10: a.)Output voltage b.)Input a-phase voltage and Input a-phase current

Conclusion
Above scheme is capable to maintain UPF and current harmonic reduction by changing the nature of
three phase currents drawn from 3 phase ac voltage source. This is achieved by maintaining separate control
on active and reactive power flow through rectifier circuit.
1. Rectifier output DC voltage is maintained at 700V.
2. Iabc currents are maintained sinusoidal with 0 degree phase shift with Vabc voltages. This lead to
unity power factor operation of rectifier.

12
Acknowledgments
This work was carried out at IIT Bombay as a part of the project ”Simulation Centre for Power Electronics
and Power Systems,” through the National Mission on Power Electroincs Technology (NaMPET), Phase 2,
sponsored by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Govt. of India.

This specific document was contributed by:

1. Shrikant Mali ( [email protected] )

2. V. Sai Suresh ( [email protected] )

3. Sandeep V. Nair ( [email protected] )

References
1. Ned Mohan, et.al., Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design, Third Edition, Wiley,
pp. 483-504.
2. Alan Vincent Fabros Edran, ”Implementing input power factor correction (PFC) on a three-phase boost
rectifier using pulse-width modulation (PWM) technique” M.S. thesis, Dept. Elect. Eng., California
State Univ., Long Beach, May 1999.

13