Design & Development of Active Front End Module with IEEE-519 Compliance

Abstract

Harmonics, injected in the utility by nonlinear loads, cause major problems that tend to deteriorate the power quality at the mains. In power electronic systems, diode and thyristor rectifiers are commonly applied in the front-end of dc-link power converters as an interface with the grid. The rectifiers are nonlinear in nature and consequently, generate harmonic currents in the ac line power. Issues related to generation of harmonics current by ac-dc single phase rectifier-capacitor filter circuit when connected to the utility network, the legal obligations set forth by the IEEE for limiting generation of low-frequency harmonics and different active front end techniques and strategies useful for meeting this standard are studied. The high harmonic content of the line current and the resulting low power factor of the load cause a number of problems such as voltage distortion and electromagnetic interface (EMI) affecting other users (at PCC) of the power system and increasing volt-ampere ratings of the power system equipments like generators, transformers, transmission lines, etc. This problem is mitigated by employing a Pulse Width Modulation rectifier. The ac side voltage of the PWM rectifier can be controlled in magnitude and phase, to obtain sinusoidal line current at unity power factor (UPF). Using Vector Control approach in stationary reference Frame (i.e α, β reference frame) where PI-Controllers are used to handle the ac quantities in α, β reference frame . Voltage oriented control we can handle active power and reactive independently along with the ideal requirements of converter. The objective of this project is to design, simulate, and develop the control for the front-end converter using Pulse Width modulation, improving the power quality.