A robust three-phase active power-factor-correction and harmonic reduction scheme for high power

This paper proposes a robust three-phase active power-factor-correction (PFC) and harmonic reduction scheme suitable for higher power applications. The proposed system is a unique combination of a low-kilovoltampere 12-pulse rectifier system with a single-phase boost PFC scheme to shape the input current to near sinusoidal waveshape. The voltampere rating of the active PFC converter is 0.05 pu and is not exposed to line transients under varying load conditions. The proposed system is suitable for utility interface of higher power rectifiers employed in power supplies and adjustable-speed drive systems which demand clean input power characteristics in the range of 1-500 kW. The proposed system is rugged and, in the event the active control were to fail, the system reverts to 12-pulse operation with fifth and seventh harmonic cancellation. Analysis and design of the system is examined in detail, and simulation and experimental results on a 10 kVA prototype are shown.