INTERNATIONAL

International Journal of JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL

Electrical Engineering and TechnologyENGINEERING
(IJEET), ISSN 0976&
6545(Print), ISSN 0976 6553(Online) Volume 3,
TECHNOLOGY (IJEET) Issue 1, January-June (2012), IAEME

ISSN 0976 6545(Print)

ISSN 0976 6553(Online)
Volume 3, Issue 1, January- June (2012), pp. 188-196
IJEET
IAEME: www.iaeme.com/ijeet.html
Journal Impact Factor (2011): 0.9230 (Calculated by GISI) IAEME
www.jifactor.com

FUZZY BASED POWER QUALITY ENHANCEMENT STRATEGY

FOR THREE PHASE AC-DC CONVERTER

N.Radhakrishnan*, M.Ramaswamy

*Assistant Professor, Annamalai University,India Professor,Annamalai University,India
Email:nradhaa75@yahoo.co.in Email:aupowerstaff@gmail.com
(Corresponding author)

ABSTRACT

The paper attempts to improve the overall power quality of an AC-DC conversion
system through a fuzzy based mechanism. It extracts the reference wave for the Pulse
Width Modulation (PWM) strategy, with a view to eschew the multiple frequency
components of the input current, minimize its THD and arrive at nearly unity power
factor. The scheme exploits the inherent advantages of a three phase ac-dc converter,
relies only on the absolute values of the input phase currents and is independent of the
nature of the mains phase voltages. It involves the use of a Digital Signal Processor
(DSP) based prototype to articulate the simulation results and there from highlight the
merits of the proposed methodology.

Key words: Power Quality, AC-DC Converter, Fuzzy control, DSP.

INTRODUCTION

There is an increasing need to address line pollution and deteriorating power

factor hazards owing to the extensive use of inductive and non linear loads. The
conventional single and three phase power factor correction systems employ analog
multipliers for generation of the input current reference in the current mode controllers
[1]. However the analog multipliers, besides being relatively inaccurate appear to
contribute a large portion of the cost of the control circuit. The traditional diode and
thyristor converters draw pulsed current from the ac mains, introducing significant
current harmonics pollution [2]. Three phase PWM rectifiers with nearly sinusoidal input
current, unity displacement power factor and regenerative capability are used extensively
in drive applications [3]. However, due to the high switching losses, PWM rectifiers can
not be used in high power converters.

188
International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976
6545(Print), ISSN 0976 6553(Online) Volume 3, Issue 1, January-June (2012), IAEME

Although the dc-dc boost topology with three-phase rectifier and boost inductors
at the ac sides have been found to draw a high quality current from the ac source, with
almost unity power factor, in high-power applications the boost switch stands as a
challenging design problem. A novel suppressed link rectifier-inverter topology has been
developed to improve the input current total harmonic distortion and input power factor
of the front end rectifier [5]. The delta modulation (DM) technology with proportional
integrator has been used for the control of the output stage of the voltage source inverter
(VSI) to provide constant volts/hz [6]. A three phase three level rectifier has been
configured to improve the shape of the input current by using line commutated switches
[7] and alleviate problems related to low harmonic distortion and high input power factor.
A number of techniques have been proposed for improving the power factor of three
phase rectifiers [8-10]. A random PWM strategy has been suggested for the power
switches in the three phase ac-dc converter by randomly varying the carrier frequency
[12]. The performance has been found to yield better results over conventional
approaches.

An increasing emphasis on power quality necessitates measures to come up with

new power converter interface that operate at nearly unity power factor (UPF), inject very
low harmonic content into the supply and work at relatively high converter efficiencies.

PROBLEM FORMULATION

The philosophy corners to evolve a Fuzzy algorithm to reshape the input current
through an astute PWM scheme. It pioneers to derive the pulses for the power switches
from an intuitive decision making process and ensure a nearly unity input power factor,
lowered THD and reduced harmonic content for the source current. A Digital Signal
Processor (DSP) based prototype is constructed in order to validate the simulated
performance and bring out the applicability of this approach.

PROPOSED APPROACH

The focus extends to enhance the power quality metrics of the three phase AC-DC
Conversion system using an evolutionary programmed approach. The three phase ac-dc
converter seen in Fig. 1 is an attractive choice among the existing converter topologies,
because its switch voltage stress is only half of the total output voltage. The three phase
ac-dc converter comprises a semiconductor switch in each phase leg of a three phase
diode bridge. The width of the pulse that turns it ON is adjusted in accordance with the
requirement to shape the corresponding line current to be sinusoidal and align it in phase
with the voltage. The appropriate phase allows it to be connected through the line
inductor to the center point between the output capacitors, when the switch is turned ON.
The phase current raises and charges the capacitor over the interval. The current however
tapers through the upper or lower diode half bridge depending on the direction of current
flow, if the switch is turned OFF.

189
International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976
6545(Print), ISSN 0976 6553(Online) Volume 3, Issue 1, January-June (2012), IAEME

Fig. 1 Power circuit of three phase ac-dc converter

The input current that flows through the switch is governed by

v 2
ia (t ) = i (1 cos t ) ------------ (1)
2fL 3
The phase currents during this time follow
d v (t t 0 ) v0
ia (t t 0 ) = a ---------- (2)
dt L 3L
The solution of equation (2) yields a set of equations,
2v v 3 2v +2 3 2vi 2v0
3L
[ ]
t 3 0 + i
ia(t)= i 2sint +3cos
3L 6L
----------- (3)
which describe the line currents as a function of the load voltage.

CONTROL ALGORITHM

A multi loop control as observed from Fig. 2 is used to generate the triggering
pulses for the three bidirectional switches in the power circuit. The outer loop, besides
regulating the load voltage serves to balance the output voltage partially, while the inner
loop enjoys a precise control of the independent phase currents. A mutual influence of the
phase current controllers is offered due to the floating output voltage at the center point,
enabling independent control of the phase currents.

Fig. 2 PWM controller

FUZZY MODEL
Fuzzy control is a precisely defined method of non-linear control. The underlying
strength of Fuzzy logic is that it makes use of linguistic variables rather than numerical
values to represent imprecise data. The FLC determines the reference current for the
current controller from the voltage error. The intuitive and heuristically chosen input

190
International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976
6545(Print), ISSN 0976 6553(Online) Volume 3, Issue 1, January-June (2012), IAEME

linguistic variables are e, the voltage error and ce, the change in error; and the output
linguistic variable is u, the current reference.
The fuzzy terms in the chosen combination of triangular and trapezoidal
membership functions as seen in Fig. 3 are identified using the variables low (L), low-
medium (LM), medium (M), high-medium (HM) and high (H). The sets defining the e, ce
and u are as follows:
e = {L, LM, M, HM, H}
ce = {L, LM, M, HM, H}
u = {L, LM, M, HM, H}
L LM M HM H

e: 0.0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1.0

ce: 0.0 0.02 0.12 0.18 0.24

L LM M HM H

u: 0.0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1.0

Fig. 3 Membership functions chosen for linguistic variables

The rules are summarised in the fuzzy decision matrix in Table 1. The consequents of the
rules are shown in the shaded part of the matrix. The fuzzy results are defuzzified through
the centre of gravity method to achieve a crisp numerical value.

Table 1 Fuzzy Decision Matrix

CE
AND
L LM M HM H
L LM LM L L L
LM M LM LM L L
M M M LM LM L
E H HM M M LM LM
H H HM M M LM

The current reference thus determined is compared with the input current in the PWM
controller which in turn serves to generate the pulses for the three power switches in the
three phase AC-DC Converter.

191
International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976
6545(Print), ISSN 0976 6553(Online) Volume 3, Issue 1, January-June (2012), IAEME

SIMULATION RESULTS

The scheme is simulated using MATLAB-SIMULINK on a 230V, 3.5kW rated

ac-dc converter system. The performance of the schematic is tabulated for a range of load
powers allowed to vary from 1 to 3.5 kW. The load voltage, load current and output dc
voltage corresponding to a load of 1.5kW is depicted in Fig. 4. It is observed that though
the output voltage increases instantaneously due to a step change in the supply voltage
introduced at 25sec, it returns to its regulated value very quickly. Similarly the
occurrence of a load disturbance occurs at 40 secs causes the load current to increase as
seen in the same figure. The load voltage appears to decline, but it is almost momentarily
corrected by the action of controller in the feedback path. The results highlight the
usefulness of the controller in the feedback path; in the sense the overall power quality is
considerably improved.

Fig.4 Simulation waveforms for voltage and current

HARDWARE IMPLEMENTATION

The prototype model, seen in Fig. 5 is built using IGBT switches and tested for
similar values of load powers. When the load is allowed to increase, the power switch in
the relevant phase is activated, enabling the capacitors to be suitably charged in order to
maintain the voltage across the load.

Fig.5 Prototype model

192
International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976
6545(Print), ISSN 0976 6553(Online) Volume 3, Issue 1, January-June (2012), IAEME

The 24-bit general purpose DSP inherits 512 words of full speed on-chip
programmable RAM, two independent 256X24 bit data RAMs and two preprogrammed
data ROMs. It is connected to the external interface through its general purpose I/O at a
clock speed of 25MHz. the DSP can be achieved through its Synchronous Serial Interface
(SSI) and Serial Communication Interface (SCI) that are combined in a connector.
It is programmed to function as a Fuzzy controller, in order to determine the ON
and OFF period of the corresponding switch and there from generate the firing pulses
accordingly. The flow chart for the assembly language coded algorithm is shown in the
Fig. 6.

Fig.6 Flow chart for DSP based PWM generation

The THD spectra obtained both through simulation and hardware for a similar
operating point of 1.5kW load depicted in Figs. 7a and 7b in addition to validating the
performance, enumerates the credibility of the fuzzy action. It serves to elicit an
enhanced fundamental for the input current and mitigate the lower order harmonics.

Fig.7a THD spectra for Simulation

193
International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976
6545(Print), ISSN 0976 6553(Online) Volume 3, Issue 1, January-June (2012), IAEME

Fig.7b THD spectra for Hardware

The entries in Table 2 includes the load voltage, load current, input power factor and
the THD of the input current, over a range of load powers. The closely regulated
output voltages and adequately validated performance illustrate the effective role of the
fuzzy based PWM technique.

Table 2 Comparison of Simulation and Hardware results

It is interesting to observe that even when the supply voltage of one of the three phases is
reduced within a certain range, the converter still possess the ability to regulate the
output voltage and continue to offer acceptable power quality indices, the only limitation
being that the ON time of the power switch in operation is required to be within limits.

Table 3 Unbalance supply voltage performance

The readings in Table 3 bring out the capability of the converter to extend its operation
even with unbalance supply systems and claim its superiority over the existing ac-dc
converter systems.

194
International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976
6545(Print), ISSN 0976 6553(Online) Volume 3, Issue 1, January-June (2012), IAEME

CONCLUSION
A Fuzzy based closed loop PWM algorithm has been incarnated in the feedback
path of a three phase AC-DC Converter. The strategy has been found to enhance the
power quality significantly in addition to regulating the output voltage, over a wide range
of load variations. The scheme has been found to appreciably shape the input current
vector and contribute to a considerable improvement in the input power factor. The
approach has been found to phenomenally lower the THD and reduce the harmonic levels
of the input current wave. The performance has been found to portray the ability of the
converter to handle transient disturbances and unbalanced supply systems. The results
have been found to highlight the merits of the Fuzzy methodology and forge to extend its
frontiers that will meet the needs of other applications such as variable speed drives.

REFERENCES

1. Himanshu S. Mazumdar, Ralph E. Locher, Abhijit D. Pathak Three phase

power factor correction, using three phase ac-dc converter approach and modular
construction for improved overall performance, efficiency and reliability,
Interactive Power Electronics Conference, Longbeach, California., pp.1-13, 2003.
2. Kolar J.w., Zach. F.C., A novel three phase utility interface minimizing line
current harmonics of high power telecommunication converter modules, 16th
IEEE International Telecommunication Energy Conference, Vancouver, Canada,
pp. 367 374, 1994.
3. Kolar J.W., Ertl H. Zach. F.C., Design and experimental investigation of a three
phase high power high efficiency unity power actor PWM (VIENNA) rectifier
Employing a Novel Integrated Power send Conductor Module., Proceedings of
the 11th IEEE Applied power electronics conference, San jose, Callifornia.,Vol.2,
pp. 514 523, 1998.
4. Kolar J.w., Drotenik. U., Zach F.C., Current handing capability of the neutral
point of a three phase/switch level boost type PWM (VIENNA) rectifier.
Proceedings of the 27th IEEE power Electronics Specialists Conference, Baveno,
Italy,Vol. 2, pp. 1329 1336, 1996.
5. Johann W. Kolar, Johann Minibock, Franz Stogerer, Implementation of a novel
control concept for reliable operation of a Vienna rectifier under heavily
unbalanced mains voltage conditions, IEEE Transactions on power electronics,
Vol. 8, pp 1333 1338, 2001.
6. Johann W. Kolar, Franz Stogerer, Johann Minibock, Hans Ertl, A new concept
for reconstruction of a input phase currents of a three phase / switch / level
PWM (VIENNA) rectifier based on neutral point current measurement, IEEE
Transactions an Industrial Electronics, Vol. 1, pp. 139 146, 2000.
7. Johann Minibock, Johann W. Kolar, Novel concept for mains voltage
proportional input current shaping of a Vienna rectifier eliminating controller
multipliers, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, Vol. 52, No. 1, 2005.

195
International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976
6545(Print), ISSN 0976 6553(Online) Volume 3, Issue 1, January-June (2012), IAEME

8. Johann. W. Kolar, Hans Ertl., Status of the Techniques of three phase rectifier
system with low effects on the mains, 21st INTELEC, Copenhagen, Denmark,
June 6 9, 1999.
9. Binsen wang, Giri Venkataramanan, Ashish Bendre, Unity Power Factor Control
for three phase, three level converter without current sensors, Interactive
Applied Electronics Seminar,Madison,U.S.A., pp. 1677 - 1683, 2005.
10. Kolar J.W., Drofenik.U. Zach F.C., Space Vector based analysis of the variation
and control of the neutral point potential of hysteresis current controlled three
phase / switch / level / pwm converter systems, Proceedings of the International
Conference on Power Electronics and Drive Systems, Singapore, , Vol. 1, pp. 22
33, 1995.
11. R. Burgos, R. Lai, Y. Pei, F. Wang, D. Boroyevich and J. Pou, Space Vector
Modulation for Vienna-Type Rectifiers Based on the Equivalence between Two-
and Three-Level Converters: A Carrier- Based Implementation, in Proc. IEEE
PESC07, Vol. 1, pp. 2861-2867, 2007.
12. Shahriyar Kaboli, Amir Hossein Rajaei and Aras Sheikhi, Application of
Random PWM Techniques for Reducing the Electromagnetic Interference of
Vienna Rectifiers in Distribution Power System, IPEMC2009, IEEE, pp. 998-
1003, 2009.

196