A Comparative Study of Symmetrical Three-Phase Circuits for Phase-Controlled AC Motor Drives

The speed of an induction motor in certain types of drives can be adjusted by phase control of the applied voltage. Three pairs of inverse-parallel thyristors are required for three-phase bipolar symmetry, but several different arrangements of the thyristors and motor windings are possible. A direct series connection of thyristors and windings in each phase can be made; the three phases can then be connected in delta, wye, or wye with neutral return. Alternatively, a delta connection of thyristor modules can be inserted in the opened neutral junction of wye-connected windings. Representation of the motor as a counter EMF in series with leakage reactance allows a simplified analysis of the current waveforms in terms of the thyristor conduction angle. With a given fundamental current, the current harmonics in the motor windings and in the supply lines for each of the circuits can then be compared. The results are equally applicable to thyristor-controlled inductive loads such as may be used for reactive power adjustment.