Rectifier for minimum line-current harmonics and maximum power factor

Rectifier line current harmonics interfere with proper power system operation, reduce rectifier power factor, and limit the power available from a given service. The rectifier´s output filter inductance determines the rectifier line current waveform, the line current harmonics, and the power factor. Classical rectifier analysis usually assumes a near-infinite output filter inductance, which introduces significant error in the estimation of line current harmonics and power factor. A quantitative analysis of single and three-phase rectifier line current harmonics and power factor as a function of the output filter inductance is presented. For the single phase rectifier, one value of finite output filter inductance produces maximum power factor and a different value of finite output filter inductance produces minimum line current harmonics. For the three phase rectifier, a near-infinite output filter inductance produces minimum line current harmonics and maximum power factor, and the smallest inductance that approximates a near-infinite inductance is determined