Low-harmonic GTO converter for fundamental power factor compensation

A low-harmonic GTO (gate turn-off) thyristor AC-to-DC converter with line current lead-lag phase shift control ability is proposed and analyzed. The converter can be used either as a low-harmonic GTO-controlled rectifier or a fundamental input power factor compensator in a power supply system. The effect of PWM (pulse width modulation) current phase number on the harmonic contents and converter output voltage control range is investigated. Lower order input current harmonics are eliminated over a wide range, using a specially designed PWM current pattern. The effect of the PWM current pulse number on the power factor compensation characteristic is investigated.<
>