Mitigation of harmonics by using 18 pulse

converter
1
MD Sarfaraz Khan, 2Surbhi Shrivastava
1
PG Student, 2Assistant Professor
Department of Electrical Engineering
1
ksarfraz313@gmail.com, 2surbhikartik2410@gmail.com

Abstract—This paper presents the mat lab simulation of 18 pulse converter. Which
reduces harmonics in an effective way as compared with 6 and 12 pulse converter. It
Uses 18 diodes for its operation. The rectifier has three units of identical six pulse diode
rectifiers fed by a phase shifting transformer. The 18-pulse converter mitigates
harmonics of the order 17th ,19th,35th,37th in an effective way. It requires two Zigzag
transformers and one two winding transformer the phase shifting provide is of +20, -20
and 0 degree. Also, the phase shift of 40, -40 and 0 degree can be provided to get the
desired results. The output voltage waveform obtained is smooth. The THD (total
harmonic distortion) is limited up to 5% to 8%. The results we get are smooth output
voltage waveform, supply current waveform, also FFT analysis of voltage and current
waveforms is presented in this paper.
Keywords- Harmonics,18 Pulse converter, Total harmonic distortion, FFT

1.INTRODUCTION

Harmonic distortion has been always one of the major concerns in electrical power
quality. Because of their potential negative impacts, the uncontrolled flow of harmonics in
power systems has been always prevented by employing various mitigation methods.
Traditionally, the dominant harmonic sources were usually associated with some industrial
loads at known locations. Then, in most cases, the customers with the major distorting loads
were asked to install harmonic filters, which prevented the excessive harmonic distortions
from entering the supply system. A harmonic is a component of a periodic wave having a
frequency that is an integral multiple of the fundamental power line frequency of 60 Hz.
Harmonics are the multiple of the fundamental frequency, Total harmonic distortion is the
contribution of all the harmonic frequency currents to the fundamental. Harmonics are the by-
products of modern electronics. They occur frequently when there are large numbers of
personal computers (single phase loads), uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), variable
frequency drives (AC and DC) or any electronic device using solid state power switching
supplies to convert incoming AC to DC.
 Fig: Multiple Harmonics Fig: 3rd Harmonic

1.1 OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT:

‘’The main objective is to eliminate the Harmonics from the system using 18 pulse
converter.18 pulse converter consists of the three Universal bridges each of which contain 6
diodes, and two phase shifting transformer and a two-winding transformer. The phase shift
given as +20, -20and 0 degree.’’

1.2 CAUSES OF HARMONICS:

Harmonic distortion is a form of electrical pollution that can cause problems if the sum of the
harmonic currents increases above certain limits. A harmonic current is one with a frequency
at a multiple of the fundamental frequency, for instance a 250 Hz current on a 50 Hz network
is the 5thharmonic. The 250 Hz current represents energy that cannot bemused by devices on
the network. It will therefore convert to heat.

Fig:Non linear load and power supply modelling

 Figure: difference between linear &nonlinear loads

Non-linear loads create harmonics by drawing current in abrupt short pulses, rather than in a
smooth sinusoidal manner (see Figure 1.5). The terms “linear” and “non-linear” define the
relationship of current to the voltage waveform. A linear relationship exists between the voltage and
current, which is typical of an across-the-line load. A non-linear load has a discontinuous current
relationship that does not correspond to the applied voltage waveform.

1.3 EFFECTS AND NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF HARMONICS:

The most significant negative effects of uncontrolled harmonics are:

Conductor Overheating: a function of the square rms current per unit volume of the
conductor. Harmonic currents on undersized conductors or cables can cause a “skin effect”,
which increases with frequency and is similar to a centrifugal force.

Capacitors: can be affected by heat rise increases due to power loss and reduced life on the
capacitors. If a capacitor is tuned to one of the characteristic harmonics such as the 5th or 7th,
overvoltage and resonance can cause dielectric failure or rupture the capacitor.

Fuses and Circuit Breakers: harmonics can cause false or spurious operations and trips,
damaging or blowing components for no apparent reason.

Transformers: have increased iron and copper losses or eddy currents due to stray flux
losses. This causes excessive overheating in the transformer windings. Typically, the use of
appropriate “K factor” rated units are recommended for non-linear loads.

Generators: have similar problems to transformers. Sizing and coordination is critical to the
operation of the voltage regulator and controls. Excessive harmonic voltage distortion will
cause multiple zero crossings of the current waveform. Multiple zero crossings affect the
timing of the voltage regulator, causing interference and operation instability.

Utility Meters: may record measurements incorrectly, resulting in higher billings to

consumers.
 Drives/Power Supplies: can be affected by maloperation due to multiple zero crossings.
Harmonics can cause failure of the commutation circuits, found in DC drives and AC drives
with silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs).

Computers/Telephones: may experience interference or failures.

1.4 HARMONIC ELIMINATION TECHNIQUES:

Harmonic Elimination Techniques:

1)Line Reactor

2)Isolation Transformer

3)Tuned Filter

4)Blocking Filter

5)6/12/18 Pulse Converter

6)Active Filter

7)Passive Filter

8)Phase Shift Transformer

2. LITERATURE REVIEW:

1.John Houdek, “Eliminating Harmonics Problems Caused by Vfds”, Arteche power quality
(IEEE 519 standard), Page 1-8
DESCRIPTION: There are two types of load linear &nonlinear load. Harmonics are caused
by nonlinear load &causes distortion on the distribution system. Nonlinear load is found
within commercial & industrial facility. Facility harmonics cause electrical distribution
system distortion. Harmonics are localized between load & mitigation equipment. Tuned
harmonics filters are used to remove harmonics .it also improves the power factor. Low pass
filter has the best efficiency &low cost.
2.Simulation of Multipulse converter for harmonic reduction using controlled rectifier
(Madhuri Saxena, Sanjeev Gupta)

DESCRIPTION: Pulse number is defined as the number of pulses in the dc output voltage
within one-time period of the ac source voltage. In high-power applications, AC-DC
converters based on the concept of multipulse, namely, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48 pulses are used
to reduce the harmonics in ac supply currents. These are named as multipulse converters.
They use either a diode bridge or thyristor bridge, which relates to special arrangement of
zigzag transformer. This zigzag transformer also reduces second harmonics.

3.. High-Power Converters and ac Drives. By Bin Wu 2006 The Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers, Inc.,

Description: The 18-pulse rectifier has three units of identical six pulse diode rectifiers fed by
a phase shifting transformer. The sign “Z” enclosed by a circle represents a three-phase
zigzag-connected winding, which provides a required phase displacement between the
primary and secondary line-to-line voltages. The 18-pulse rectifier is able eliminate all the
harmonic effectively. This can be achieved by employing a phase-shifting transformer with a
20° phase displacement between any two adjacent secondary windings. The typical values of
are 20°, 0°, and –20° for the top, middle, and bottom secondary windings, respectively.

3.PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION:
with the help of six pulse converter we can remove harmonics up to 60%and with 12 pulse
converter we can remove harmonics up to 85%.and with the help of this 18-pulse converter
the harmonics are removed up to 92%. But as soon as the no of pulses increases the
complexity of the system increases.

4.METHODOLOGY
The block diagram of an 18-pulse series-type diode rectifier is shown in below Fig. The
rectifier has three units of identical six pulse diode rectifiers fed by a phase shifting
transformer. The sign “Z” enclosed by a circle represents a three-phase zigzag-connected
winding, which provides a required phase displacement between the primary and secondary
line-to-line voltages. The detailed analysis of the zigzag transformer. The 18-pulse rectifier
can eliminate four dominant harmonics. This can be achieved by employing a phase-shifting
transformer with a 20° phase displacement between any two adjacent secondary windings.
The Typical values of are 20°, 0°, and –20° for the top, middle, and bottom secondary
Windings, respectively. Other arrangements are possible, such as = 0°, 20°, and 40°. The
turns ratio of the transformer for the 18-pulse rectifier is usually selected such that the line-to-
line voltage of each secondary winding is one third that of the primary winding.

Fig:18 pulse Converter simulation

Fig: Output Voltage waveform

Fig: Supply current waveform

Fig: Supply current waveform

 Fig: Supply current Waveform

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

5.1 FFT Analysis:

Fast Fourier Transform analysis is nothing but the algorithm that samples a signal over a
period (or space) and divides it into its frequency components. These components are single
sinusoidal oscillations at distinct frequencies each with their own amplitude and phase. Fast
Fourier transforms are widely used for many applications in engineering, science, and
mathematics. Fourier analysis converts a signal from its original domain to a representation in
the frequency domain and vice versa.

. Fourier transforms(FT) take a signal and express it in terms of the frequencies of the waves
that make up that signal.

Fig: Supply
current Waveform
 Fig: Output voltage waveform

VOLTAGE WAVEFORM:
The output voltage obtained is uniform and smooth and total voltage distortion is up to
0.13%.

SUPPLY CURRENT WAVEFORM;

The Harmonics are eliminated effectively by using the 18-pulse converter and hence are
limited up to 8.16%. The supply current waveform initially large and after that it is almost
sinusoidal.

5.2 RESULTS:
Power quality issues are well worth some consideration. Correct identification of the root
causes of the problem is essential to choosing and implementing the best solution Amongst
the passive harmonics mitigation solutions, the 18-pulse rectifier Topology seems to be the
one that ensures better balance of performance (THDi = 6-8%) and cost. It provides better
performance than a 12-pulse rectifier but it is less costly than 24 or 36-pulse rectifier. Even
though significant harmonic reduction and other benefits can be achieved with these
topologies, some drawbacks are observed on the presence of voltage unbalanced and pre-
existent voltage harmonic. Moreover, when a large capacitor is connected in the dc-side of the
rectifier, as in motor drives, the performance of the 18- pulse rectifier can be deteriorated. The
performance also depends on the short-circuit current to load ratio.
5.3 DISCUSSION:
As a comparison, a 6-pulse rectifier will produce on the order of 25% current THD, whereas a
12-pulse rectifier will produce about 12% current THD. An 18-pulse rectifier will produce on
the order of 5% current THD. Somewhat lower harmonics can be achieved using rectifiers
with a pulse number greater than 12, however, the incremental benefit in harmonic reduction
decreases while the complexity of the design increases.

6. CONCLUSION AND SCOPE FOR FURTHER WORK:

6.1 Main Conclusion:

Following conclusions are obtained after the performance of the project.

 Harmonics are reduced to great extent.

 Efficiency of the system has increased.
 Cost of system decreases.
 All harmonic frequencies are filtered.
 Lowest total harmonic current distortion at load conditions.
 Current waveform can be obtained uniformly with 8.16% Total Harmonic Distortion
THD.
 The Voltage Waveform Obtained is smooth and output is a DC. The total harmonic
distortion is 0.13%.

 6.2 Scope for Further Work:
There is also scope in the harmonic elimination by using converter using 24,36,72. But
one point to be noted that as soon as the number pulses increases the smoother will be
the line current waveform but the complexity of the system increases with increase in
number of pulses. Multi pulse uncontrolled rectifier can designed using different types
of phase shifting transformer with different phase shifting angle like 0, 30, 20, 15 and
10 and because of it the THD of multi pulse rectifier can decrease by increasing the
number of pulse.
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