Operation, control and performance of a family of high power unity power factor rectifiers

This paper describes a 3-phase rectifier topology intended for high power GTO-based, or high power IGBT, rectifiers switching at 120 Hz. The paper examines a recently published rectifier and control scheme using a diode rectifier, AC inductors and a Y-connected 3-phase switch network, 3φ-switch network, connected to the centre-tap of the DC-link capacitors. Improvements to this network are examined that eliminate the need for centre-tap capacitors and that use a standard inverter bridge module or a 3φ Δ-switch network with low conduction losses. Simulation and experimental results are used to illustrate the operation and performance features of the rectifiers