Comparative Global Loss Analysis in low Frequency Range of Three-Phase Diode Front End (DFE) and Active Front End (AFE) Rectifier Systems

Both Diode Front End (DFE) and Active Front End (AFE) rectifiers are widely used in Adjustable Speed Drives (ASD). Besides the size and cost, another concern about AFE systems are more power losses in AFE rectifiers compared to DFE rectifiers. However, due to the low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), when considering global losses, AFE systems can be advantageous. So far there is no work published on a comparative study of global losses between AFE and DFE systems. In this work, a simulation model in circuit level and a calculation approach are proposed to estimate the global losses of the whole system in both full load and part load conditions. The results of a 8 kW system reveal that AFE systems provide a better efficiency and both the simulation model and the calculation approach can be used to estimate overall losses.