A new approach for single-phase shunt active power filter (SSAPF) operation

Conventionally, active power filters are used as voltage or current source inverters. The filters are utilized to inject an expected distortion current and to shape up any distortion supply current for achieving a fully sinusoidal shape. In this paper, a new approach of single-phase shunt active power filterr (SSAPF) operation is presented. In contra with the conventional filters, the proposed filter acts as a new current pathway for the expected distorted current. According to the Kirchhoff´s Current Law (KCL), the results of the summation of the SSAPF current and the load current is an almost fully sinusoidal current. The new SSAPF employing two sets of insulated gate base transistor (IGBT) and diode pair and the switching operation is controlled using unipolar pulse width modulation (UPWM) signal. The study focuses on the percentage of total harmonic distortion (THD) and the shape of the supply current when the proposed SSAPF is connected before and after the line inductor of the power system. From the simulation results, both connections are capable to improve the THD percentage below than 5%. Nevertheless, the filters are able to reshape the supply current to a fully sinusoidal wave shape. All presented simulation results were simulated by MATLAB/Simulink (MLS).