Multipulse Converters (1)

Defined as diode/thyristor converters where the

pulse number is > 6 (remember, the ones we have
looked at so far have been 6-pulse)
Generally the pulse number is a multiple of 6
(assuming 3-phase system), so 12, 18, 24-pulse
circuits etc are possible
A 12-pulse converter, for example, consists of two 6-
pulse converters fed from a 6-phase supply and
connected in series or parallel on the DC side (18-
pulse has three 6-pulse circuits and so on)
Since a 6-phase supply is not normally available, it
is generated from the 3-phase supply using a phase
shifting transformer (6-phase source is equivalent to
two 3-phase sources with 30
O
phase shift between
them)
The advantage of using the two 6-pulse circuits like
this, rather than just connecting them in parallel (or
series) is that harmonic cancellation takes place and
the power quality at the input and output is improved
Multipulse Converters (2)
Higher pulse number means fewer input harmonics
(better power factor), and smoother output (smaller
smoothing components)
Used at high power levels (>500kW) for this reason
- sometimes also at lower power levels where power
quality is critical
Cross channel (UK-France), electricity link
(2000MW, 270kV) uses 48-pulse converters at each
end, for example
Pulse Number Harmonics in
input current
(K=1,2,3,4...)
Ripple
frequency on
DC side
6 6K1 6*supply
12 12K1 12*supply
18 18K1 18*supply
24 24K1 24*supply
12-Pulse Converter (1)
Transformer with two secondaries (Star and Delta),
provides two 3-phase outputs with 30
O
phase shift
between them
RMS line voltages are the same so delta winding has
more (\3) turns per phase
Output voltages look like (assuming diode circuit):
12-Pulse Converter (2)
Input currents i
ABCDEF
all have the same shape as in
the normal 6-pulse circuit
i
DEF
are mutually displaced from each other by 120
O
i
ABC
are mutually displaced from each other by 120
O
i
D
lags I
A
by 30
O
(t/6) and so on
It can be shown (not done here) that the effect of the
currents combine in the transformer so that:

( )
( )
( )
0
) 6 / 5 sin( ) 6 / 5 ( 5 sin
) 6 / 5 5 sin( ) 6 / ( 5 sin
: hence
) 5 sin(
: that so 0 t choose and harmonic 5th just the consider
on so and
3
1
5
5
5
5
=
t e = t e =
t e = t e =
e =
=
+ =
R
i
t I t I i
t I t I i
t I i
i i i i
E
D
A
E D A R
Similar result for 7th, 17th, 19th etc harmonics
Only 12K1 harmonics are left
12-Pulse Converter (3)
Parallel connection is also possible (same
advantages) - but needs inter-phase reactor (IPR)
for correct operation
Line Current waveform