Finite-element simulation of a generator feeding into a rectified load

A finite-element technique has been developed which permits the representation of electrical machines and their interaction with power electronic devices in much greater detail than was previously possible using circuit models. When finite-element and circuit models were compared for the simulation of transient behaviour (the start-up of a diode rectifier bridge and resistive load) the stator phase current and hence load current agreed well but with a sufficient degree of difference to suggest that the machine models used affect the commutation behaviour of the rectifier bridge differently. An unexpectedly short time period found in the finite-element simulation may be due to a data output error in the program