Disturbances generated by power rectifiers: existing solutions and future prospects

Single and three-phase thyristors and diodes bridges are the most widely-used type of power rectifiers at present. A poor power factor current harmonics and switching pulses are the main types of disturbances they generate. The authors briefly describe them and then detail their effects on distribution networks. They next detail existing and potential methods of satisfactorily connecting power converters to the network. These methods include, amongst other possibilities, the development of active filters, possibly combined with passive filters, and power factor correction bridges. Actions aimed at limiting disturbances introduced by this type of converter include promoting the use of these circuits and developing standards limiting the emission from LV equipment sold to the general public but also modifications to the networks (a larger number of primary substations, increased Psc (short-circuit power)) and the development of contracts concerning the quality of electricity between electricity utilities and customers