A Three-Switch Current-Source PWM Rectifier with Active Filter Function

Thyristor and diode converters are widely used in electric power systems. These nonlinear loads produce current harmonics which reduce power quality by distorting the supply network voltages. Nowadays, an increasingly popular trends is to compensate the harmonics by using six-switch active power filters. In this paper the capability of three-switch current-source PWM rectifier (3SW-CSR) to act as an active power filter and to compensate the harmonics caused by other converter is studied. It is shown by analysis, simulations and experimental tests that 3SW-CSR offers an effective and low-cost solution to improve the quality of electrical power in applications where group of three-phase rectifiers is used