A Single-phase Active Power Filter Employing Bidirectional Power Switches with

Safe Commutation Technique

NFA Abdul Rahman
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi
MARA (UiTM)
40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
farahaida@salam.uitm.edu.my
S.Z.Mohammad Noor
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi
MARA (UiTM)
40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
ctzaliha_mn@yahoo.com


AbstractThis paper presents a new shunt active power filter
(SAPF) topology using two bidirectional power switches. The
proposed SAPF provides a new current pathway for remaining
distorted current when supply voltage is supplying a nonlinear
load. Pulse-width modulation (PWM) switching signal is used
to shape up the remaining distorted current to be
complementary to the misshapen nonlinear load current.
Therefore, total input current drawn from the supply always in
fully sinusoidal shape. Safe commutation strategies are well
developed to prevent overcurrent spike during the transition
between half positive cycle and half negative cycle of the
remaining distorted current. MATLAB/SIMULINK (MLS) is
used to simulate and verify the operation of the proposed
SAPF. According to the simulation results, the new filter is
capable to resume the original shape (sinusoidal) of the supply
current and achieves less than 5% of total harmonic distortion
(THD).
Keywords-Shunt active power filter (SAPF), harmonic, pulse-
width modulation (PWM), bidirectional power switch and safe
commutation
I. INTRODUCTION
Active power filter (APF) is one of the applicable
techniques in reducing harmonic components in electrical
system. Unlike passive filter, the APF is capable to suppress
different order current harmonic components of nonlinear
loads simultaneously. Other than that, the APF is preferable
due to its capability for reactive power compensation, small
size and stable operation [1]. Many researchers focus on
various APF applications [2], operation, topology and
switching technique in their study.
A fully-controlled inverter of a typical APF is capable to
work as either current or voltage harmonic generator [3].
There are two categories of APF namely as shunt active
power filter (SAPF) and series active power filter. The SAPF
is effective for filtering current harmonic of current-source
type harmonic source while the series APF is effective for
filtering voltage harmonic of voltage-source type harmonic
source [4].
The principle of APF operation is replacing the missing
sinusoidal waveform of the distorted nonlinear load current
[5]. The missing sinusoidal waveform is injected into the
system by the APF. Therefore, the supply current is resumed
back to a fully sinusoidal waveform with nearly unity power
factor (PF).
This paper is focusing on the operation and switching
strategies of a new topology of SAPF. The proposed SAPF
consists of two sets of bidirectional insulated gate bipolar
transistor (IGBT). One set works as an AC/AC converter
while the other set acts as a freewheel path. Unlike the
typical APF, the proposed SAPF provides a current path to
the missing sinusoidal waveform. The operation of APF
power switches are controlled using active PWM signal. As
a result, the missing current that flow through the proposed
SAPF is complementary to the distorted nonlinear load
current. Thus, a sinusoidal current is drawn from the voltage
supply continuously. Switching operation of all power
switches must be well monitored in ensuring safe
commutation process.
II. A NEW SHUNT ACTIVE POWER FILTER
CIRCUIT AND ITS OPERATION

Figure 1. Complete circuit of power system
Figure 1 shows a complete circuit of the power system.
The system comprises an AC voltage supply, passive filters
(inductors), a nonlinear load (uncontrolled rectifier and RC
circuit) and the proposed SAPF. The filter is connected in
G11 IEEE Conference on Power Engineering and Renewable Energy 2012
3-5 July 2012, Bali, Indonesia
978-1-4673-2470-0/12/$31.00@2012 IEEE
parallel with the AC voltage supply. In the system, the
inductor L
1
represents a simple input filter for the nonlinear
load current and inductors L
2
and L
3
for the proposed SAPF
current.
The proposed SAPF consists of AC/AC converter circuit.
The converter comprises two bidirectional power switches.
Each bidirectional switch plays different role during the
filter operation. IGBTs S
1
and S
2
are responsible in shaping
the missing current whilst IGBTs S
3
and S
4
providing a
freewheeling pathway for the inductor L
3
current. The
freewheeling pathway is very important in ensuring
continuous flow of the inductor L
3
current.
During half positive cycle, IGBT S
1
and diode D
1
are
turned ON. The IGBT is controlled by active PWM signal
to shape up the positive half cycle of the missing sinusoidal
waveform. The control technique is limited by the switching
frequency of the inverter and by the available driving
voltage across the interfacing inductance [6]. At the same
time, the freewheeling power switches; IGBT S
3
and diode
S
3
are turned ON. The IGBT

is controlled by continuous
pulse signal. The IGBT is turned ON continuously during
positive half cycle.
For negative half cycle, IGBTs S
2
, S
4
and diodes D
2
, D
4

are turned ON. IGBT S
2
is controlled by active PWM signal
whilst IGBT S
4
is controlled by continuous pulse signal. All
diodes in the AC-AC converter circuit are used as reverse
blocking diodes. According to Kirchhoffs current law
(KCL), the sum of currents entering the a node is equal to
the sum of currents leaving the node [7]. Therefore,
I
o
= I
1
+ I
2
(1)
In Equation 1, I
s
is the supply current, I
1
is the nonlinear
load current and I
2
is the missing sinusoidal or SAPF current.
Figure 2 illustrates all current waveforms stated in the
equation. In the figure, both the nonlinear load current and
the SAPF current are complementary to each other. In this
method, the source current is assumed to be a fully
sinusoidal signal and in phase with voltage after the
compensation process [8].


Figure 2. Current waveforms in the complete circuit of power system
III. SAPF SWITCHING STRATEGIES
Basically, the proposed SAPF consists of AC/AC
converter switches and freewheeling switches. Both switches
are controlled using two different switching signal sources;
active PWM signal and pulse signal. The active PWM signal
is utilized for the converter switches (S
1
and S
2
) while pulse
signal is employed for the freewheeling switches (S
3
and S
4
).
Figure 3 shows the SAPF switching block diagram.

Figure 3. Block diagram of SAPF switching signal
According to equation 1, the SAPF current I
2
is obtained
by deducting the supply current I
s
with the nonlinear load
current I
1
. Therefore, the equation becomes
I
2
= I
o
I
1
(2)
The active PWM signal for the respective current is obtained
by comparing a reference signal with a carrier signal. In this
project, a bipolar triangle waveform of 5 kHz switching
frequency is used as the carrier signal.
The reference signal is generated by subtracting the
nonlinear current with a fully sinusoidal current. A peak
detector is used to measure correct amplitude of the fully
sinusoidal current. Therefore, the reference signal will has
same amplitude as the nonlinear load current. The active
PWM signal is then fed to the converter power switches. A
proportional integral (PI) control algorithm is used to
regulate the error.
Pulse signal is supplied to both freewheeling power
switches; IGBTs S
3
and S
4
. The signal is supplied by a pulse
generator. As mentioned in the previous section, each switch
conducts for half cycle only. Its either positive half cycle or
negative half cycle operation. All freewheeling power
switches are turned ON continuously with respect to their
respective cycle. However, careful switching strategy should
take into consideration to avoid short circuit across inductor
L
3
.
The freewheeling power switch for positive half cycle
must be turned OFF before the converter power switch for
negative half cycle turns ON. If both power switches turn
ON simultaneously, a short circuit pathway between both
power switches will develop. Thus, an overcurrent spike will
appear during the transition of positive half cycle and
negative half cycle.
The active PWM switching signal should be first
observed before the pulse generator is setting up. We must
ensure IGBT S
1
and IGBT S
3
are turned OFF at the same
time; especially at the transition time between positive half
cycle and negative half cycle. Same principle is applied for
the remaining freewheeling and converter power switches to
achieve safe commutation activities.
Figure 4(a) and Figure 5(b) show current flow during
positive half cycle and negative half cycle respectively. The
freewheeling currents flow with respect to both half positive
and negative cycle is shown in Figure 4(b) and Figure 5(b). It
can be seen that the freewheeling power switches are
continuously turn ON even the converter power switches
receive zero (0) switching signal.


(a)


(b)
Figure 4. Current flow during positive cycle when (a) both converter and
freewheeling IGBTS turn on (b) freewheeling IGBT turns on

(a)

(b)
Figure 5. Current flow during negative cycle when (a) both converter and
freewheeling IGBTS turn on (b) freewheeling IGBT turns on
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The research concerns on the SAPF supply current and
its THD percentage. Table 1 tabulates all parameters used in
the SAPF simulation.
TABLE I. LIST OF PARAMETERS
Parameter Value
Voltage supply, V
s
240 V, 50 Hz
Resistor, R 1 k
Capacitor, C 100F
Inductor, L1 1 mH
Inductors L2 and L3 4 mH

Figure 6 shows a simulation result of the proposed SAPF.
The result had proven that the proposed SAPF has allowed
the missing sinusoidal current to flow through its circuit. The
shape of the missing sinusoidal current is similar to the
e
t
n
c
c
t
w
e
a
m
s
I
f
b
K
F
(
p
s
o
T
a
s
t
s
s
i
c
p
e
c
expected wave
the nonlinear
nonlinear load
current wavefo
According
converter pow
the active PW
was successfu
explanation. U
acts as a curr
missing sinuso
Figure 6. S
Figure 7 s
SAPF. From
seen that IGB
IGBT S
4
was
SAPF current
freewheeling c
by the follow
KCL.
Freewheeling
(2)
Similar to
power switche
signal. They
overcurrent sp
Therefore, we
and the con
simultaneously
the transition
spike as show
switches do no
Magnitude
installation of
chart in Figur
proposed SAP
especially the
capable to red
0 0.005
-4
-2
0
2
4
C
u
rre
n
t (A
)
0 0.005
-4
-2
0
2
4
C
u
rre
n
t (A
)
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4
C
u
rre
n
t (A
)
eform in Figu
r load curren
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form results in
g to the simul
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oidal current o
Simulation current
shows all cur
the freewheel
BT S
3
was con
conducted sim
is a result fro
current subtrac
wing equation.
current = Cu
the converter
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were succes
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e can say that
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y; and there i
of two differ
wn in Figure
ot OFF concur
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e 8. The resul
PF capability i
e odd compo
duce the odd
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0.01 0.015
0.01 0.015
ure 2 and henc
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were successfu
her than that,
as predicted
ntional SAPF,
instead as cur
of the nonlinea
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rrent waveform
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nducted along
multaneously
m the inducto
ction. The sta
The equation
urrent across
power switche
ssfully contro
ssfully contro
d in Figure
the freewheel
er switches
is no short cir
rent half cycl
8 will be ob
rrently.
components b
d SAPF is re
lts give a solid
in reducing har
onents. The p
harmonic com
0.02 0.025
Time (s)
0.02 0.025
Time (s)
0.02 0.025
Time (a)
Su
Nonlin
SA
ce compliment
sum betwee
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dal waveform.
we can say th
ully controlled
the proposed
d in the theor
the proposed
rrent supply f
ar load current
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waveforms, it c
with IGBT S
with IGBT S
2
or L
3
current an
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L
3
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es, the freewh
lled using the
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are turned
rcuit current d
les. An overc
bserved if the
before and aft
epresented by
d justification
rmonic compo
proposed SA
mponents to at
0.03 0.035
0.03 0.035
0.03 0.035
upply current (Is)
near load current
APF current (I
2
)
tary to
en the
usoidal

hat the
using
SAPF
retical
SAPF
for the
.

LS
oposed
can be
S
1
and
2
. The
nd the
ported
using
urrent
eeling
pulse
non-
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witches
OFF
during
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e both
ter the
a bar
of the
onents
APF is
t least
1.5%
9
th
a
sys
inst
pro
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enh
pea
0.04
0.04
0.04
(I
1
)
%. Tremendou
and 11
th
harmo
Based on FF
tem achieved
talling the pro
oposed SAPF
rthermore, the
hanced from 0
ak).
Figure
Figure 7. Ove
Figure
0 0.005
-4
-2
0
2
4
C
u
rre
n
t (A
)
0 0.005
-4
-2
0
2
4
C
u
rre
n
t (A
)
0 0.005
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
C
u
rre
n
t (A
)
0 0.0
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
C
uurent (A
)
us improveme
onic compone
FT analysis
d 203.2% o
oposed SAPF
F, the THD
e fundamenta
0.483 V (peak
e 1. Simulation cu
ercurrent spike du
8. Magnitude o
0.01 0.015
0.01 0.015
0.01 0.015
005 0.01 0.015
Overcurr
ent was showe
ents.
(SIMULINK
of THD per
. After the in
was improv
al supply cu
k to peak) to
urrents of SAPF c
ue to bad switchin
f harmonic comp
0.02 0.025
Time (s)
0.02 0.025
Time (s)
0.02 0.025
Time (s)
0.02 0.025
Time (s)
F
rent spike
ed by 3
rd
, 5
th

powergui),
rcentage befo
nstallation of t
ved to 4.84
urrent was a
3.25 V (peak
circuit
ng arrangement
onents
0.03 0.035
0.03 0.035
0.03 0.035
0.03 0.035 0.04
SAPF current (I
2
Current across
Freewheeling curr
7
th
,
the
fore
the
4%.
also
k to



0.04
0.04
0.04
2
)
s L3
rent
V. CONCLUSION
The operation of the new single-phase SAPF using
bidirectional power switches was discussed in this paper.
The SAPF was capable to improve the THD percentage of
the supply current and resumed the supply current form to
fully sinusoidal wave shape. The improvement was
successfully done by providing an alternative pathway for
the distorted current that complementary to the nonlinear
current. All power switches in the APF were well controlled
using the active PWM signal and the pulse generator to
perform safe commutation operation.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Financial support from Ministry of Higher Education
(MOHE), Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) No:
600-RMI/ST/FRGS5/fst(34/2011) is gratefully
acknowledged for implementation of this project.
Financial assistance from Universiti Teknologi MARA
(UiTM) Malaysia and Research Management Institute
(RMI), UiTM is also gratefully acknowledged.
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