Harmonic distortion based inductor sizing of high power factor controlled rectifiers

This paper presents a relational analysis between the total harmonic distortion of the current in controlled rectifiers and the projected inductance value. A mathematical description of the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of the input current waveform simplifies the analysis of rectifiers, and especially the complex waveforms involved. The study of harmonic distortion aims to contribute to the development of a set of abaci whose role is to facilitate the choice of inductors and rectifiers topologies employed in the project, based on the number of voltage levels applied to the inductor. Simulation and experimental data are taken from two different topologies of high power factor rectifiers in order to verify the proposed methodology.