Identification of Harmonics of Three-Phase Six-Pulse

Rectifier with Different Kind of Loads in MATLAB

and Fabrication Model

D. M. Soomro and S. C. Chong Z. A. Memon and A. M. Soomro

Department of Electrical Power Engineering Department of Electrical Power Engineering
University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia Mehran University of Engineering and Technology
86400 Parit Raja, Johor, Malaysia Jamshoro 76062, Pakistan
dursoomro@uthm.edu.my zubair.memon@faculty.muet.edu.pk

Abstract—Power electronic converter is known as nonlinear waveform of PS distribution [13, 14]. These 5th and 7th order harmonic
device. Due to its conversion characteristic it drags and draws the currents will cause resonance between source inductance and power
source current from the power source. These characteristics make factor improvement capacitor [15, 16].
it to generate harmonics that will degrade the grid power quality This paper will study the performance of three-phase six-pulse
(PQ). The effects of harmonics include malfunction of connected rectifier circuit with the help of power GUI using MATLAB Simulink
sensitive equipment such as protective relay and overheating of and the experimental evaluation of the harmonics generated by three-
winding equipment like transformer and motor. Therefore, it is phase bridge rectifier with the help of PQ analyser. From the testing
needed to identify the source of problems and deal with it. This results it will able to visualize the harmonic behaviour of the three-
paper analyses the harmonics behaviour of the three-phase six phase rectification effect on the line voltage and current.
pulse (full wave) rectifier model that usually is used in industrial
load applications with MATLAB software and test the constructed II. RECTIFICATION OF AC-DC CONVERTER
a fabricated circuit with PQ analyser. The results obtained from Single-phase diode rectifiers are used for power rating less 15 kW.
the fabricated model will be useful as the nonlinear load model for For high power rating application need to employ three-phase rectifier.
designing various types of filters to mitigate the current harmonic Fig. 1 shows the three-phase six-pulse rectifier circuit that is use to
distortion. covert three-phase AC voltage to DC voltage [13, 17]. The inductance,
Ls in the circuit represent the total inductance of the system which
Keywords—rectification; harmonics; power quality; THD. include the line inductance, transformer reactance and the line reactor
between the utility and the rectifier [18]. For ideal condition, Ls is
I. INTRODUCTION assumed to be zero.
Since the beginning of the 1890s, the harmonics component
contented caused distorted in the voltage and in the current waveforms
on transmission systems [1]. The presence of harmonics in power
system (PS) is unavoidable because large amount of electronic devices
are used at the end user side. The electronic devices are the some sort
of the source of harmonic production in PS [2, 3].
The electronic devices are often used for controlling AC-DC motor
drives, frequency, and switching of circuits i.e. control, function of
systems, process of machine drives etc. [4]. Because of the more
efficient and economic features, the obligation of such electronic
devices are continually rising. Consequently the only choice left is to Fig. 1. Simplified three-phase six-pulse rectifier circuit.
decrease these harmonics immediately before they cause any extensive
damage. To reduce harmonic distortion can be carrying out by installing The diodes in the rectifier circuit are numbered in the order of
passive and active power filters [5, 6]. conduction sequences with conduction angle of each diode is 2ʌ/3 [8].
These diodes are conducted in sequence 12, 23, 34, 45, 56, and 61. The
In power distribution system, harmonics also come from various
primary and secondary windings can be connected in any combination
types of commercial and residential non-linear loads. The generated
of a star or delta connection, because the currents in secondary windings
harmonic voltages and currents of these nonlinear loads will sum up
are symmetrical with primary windings. Fig. 2 shows the voltage
together and like pollution in the PS [7, 8]. If harmonic currents cross
waveforms and diode conduction of the three-phase six-pulse rectifier.
the tolerable range, serious problems can occur like the protective relay
will trip or protective fuse will blow up [9, 10]. To examine the three-phase six-pulse rectifier, firstly need to define
some parameters. These parameters are important to know the
Three phase six-pulse diode rectifiers are normally found in
performance of the rectifier. To identify the parameter, need to assume
industrial loads that are used to convert alternating current (AC) to
the diode or thyristors as an ideal switch to instantaneously turn ON and
direct current (DC) [11, 12]. However, these kinds of converters will
OFF time and zero ON-resistance. Assume the load is an ideal
create high value of 5th and 7th order harmonic current in the system line
resistance.
current and consequently will cause deformation in the current

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978-1-5090-2547-3/16/$31.00 ©2016 IEEE

 2§ʌ 3 ·
I =I
s m ¨ +
ʌ©6
¸ = 0.78 I m
(7)
4 ¹
Where
Vm
I m = 1.73 R
(8)

III. HARMONIC STANDARD

The harmonic distortion standard referred in this paper is IEEE
Standard 519 [20]. This standard states the limits for both current and
voltage distortion as given in Table I and Table II respectively. The
purpose of harmonic standard is to give a guideline of permissible
harmonic distortion at the point of common coupling (PCC) so the
system can operate smoothly with less disturbance [20, 21].

TABLE I. CURRENT DISTORTION LIMIT (IN % FOR LOAD CURRENT “IL”)

FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS (120 V-69 KV)

Isc/IL <11 11”h<17 17”h<23 23”h<35 35•h %THD

<20 4 2 1.5 0.6 0.3 5
Fig. 2. Voltage waveform and diodes conduction of the three-phase six-pulse
20-50 7 3.5 2.5 1 0.5 8
rectifier.
50-
10 4.5 4 1.5 0.7 12
The parameters and performance of the three-phase six-pulse 100
rectifier can be calculated with the help of equations [19]. The DC 100-
12 5.5 5 2 1 15
voltage (Vdc) on the load is the average over the period T of the output 1000
voltage (VL) of the rectifier. So, the average value of the load voltage >1000 15 7 6 2.5 1.4 20
VL is Vdc and it is defined as [9]:
1 T
dc V
=
T 0
L ³ V
(t)dt (1) TABLE II. VOLTAGE DISTORTION LIMITS (IN % OF V1)
Individual Harmonic
PCC Voltage %THDv
Therefore the average value for the output of three-phase six-pulse Magnitude (%)
rectifier can be found as: ”69 kV 3 5
2ʌ
6 69-161 kV 1.5 2.5
³
3
V dc
=
ʌ
3 V m sinș dș (2)
2ʌ •161 kV 1 1.5
3
Or
3 3 IV. SIMULATION RESULTS WITH MATLAB
V dc
=
ʌ
V m
= 1.654 V m
(3)
In this section, the harmonic analysis of three-phase six-pulse
uncontrolled rectifier simulated model is carried out by using
Similarly, the root-mean-square (rms) value of load voltage is VL, MATLAB. Fig. 3 shows the simulation model of pure resistive load of
which is defined as: 20 ȍ resistance without three-phase rectifier. Fig. 4 shows the three-
1
phase RYB current simulation waveform of the resistive load is in
ª1 T 2 º2 phase and thus no harmonics in the system. The motive of this
VL = «¬ T ³ 0 v L ( t ) dt »¼ (4)
simulation is to know the system current waveform of the linear load
without rectifier. The system inductance is in an ideal condition
Therefore the rms value for the output of three-phase six-pulse therefore it is assume as zero.
rectifier can be found as:
2ʌ
9
³ (V )
2
V
3
= ʌ
sin ș dș (5)
L m
ʌ 3

Or
Fig. 3. Simulation model of resistive load without rectifier.
3 9 3
V L
= V2
+
m
4ʌ
= 1.655
m
(6) V
In addition, assume that the load is pure resistive. Then the rms
current in each transformer secondary winding can also be found as:

183
 with non-resistive (RC) loads will generate more current and voltage
harmonics compared to resistive load. From the current waveforms and
harmonic spectrum shown in Fig 8, 9 and 10 it can be seen that the
rectification of three-phase six pulse bridge rectifier will generate high
value of 5th and 7th current harmonics which is about 25 % and 9 %
respectively.

TABLE III. SUMMARY OF VOLATGE AND CURRENT THD FOR RYB PHASES

Phase %THDV %THDI

Red 4.3 64.1
Yellow 4.4 62.6
Fig. 4. Simulation waveform of RYB phase without rectifier.
Blue 4.5 63

Fig. 5 shows the simulation model of pure resistive load of 20 ȍ

resistance with three-phase six-pulse rectifier. Fig. 6 shows the three-
phase RYB current simulation waveform of the resistive load which is
distorted and the current THD is 29.5 % for red phase, 30.05 % for
yellow phase and 31.79 % for blue phase which are higher than the
IEEE limit of 5 %. There is no voltage harmonics in the system. From
this simulation results it is proved that the harmonics are generated by
the rectification circuit not by the supplied load.

Fig. 5. Simulation model of resistive load with six-pulse rectifier.

Fig. 8. Currentwaveform of red phase with its harmonics.

Fig. 6. Simulation waveform of RYB phase with six-pulse rectifier.

Fig. 7 shows the simulation model of RC load with three-phase

six-pulse rectifier. This load consists of a 135 ȝF capacitor with 20 ȍ
resistance. Table III shows the summary of the THD voltage and
current simulation results.

Fig. 7. Simulation model of RC load with six-pulse rectifier.

The THDV value for the RYB phases are within 4.3 %, 4.4 % and
4.5 % which is less than the permissible standard value (THDV < 5 %).
However, the THDI values for the RYB phases are 64.1 %, 62.6 % and
63 % respectively. According to the IEEE 519 standard, the allowed
harmonic value is 7 % only. Therefore, the distorted current waveform
is harmful in the PS. From the simulation results, it show that the
harmonic generated by the three-phase six-pulse rectifier connected

184
 Fig. 9. Current waveform of yellow phase with its harmonics.

Fig. 12. Voltage and current waveforms of red phase.

Fig. 10. Current waveform of blue phase with its harmonics.

V. TESTING RESULT OF FABRICATED MODEL

Fig. 11 shows the circuit diagram of fabricated model for three-
phase six pulse rectifier. The operation of this rectifier is tested with PQ
analyser at the laboratory. The Table IV shows the summary of tested
results.
Fig. 13. Voltage and current waveforms of yellow phase.

Fig. 11. Circuit diagram of fabrication model.

TABLE IV. RYB PHASES TESTED RESULTS OF FABRICATED MODEL WITH

PQ ANALYZER

Phase Red Yellow Blue

Vrms 248.5 253.5 255.7
%THDV 4.3 4.4 4.5
Fig. 14. Voltage and current waveforms of blue phase.
Irms 24.69 24.46 24.31
%THDI 64.1 62.6 63.0 Current line spectrum of RYB phases is shown in Figure 15, 16
and 17. The testing results also show that the three-phase six-pulse
K-Factor 14.3 14.4 15.0
rectifier has high K-factor value. The K-factor is a relation between the
additional losses due to harmonics and the eddy losses at 50 Hz. For
The tested line voltage and current waveforms of RYB phases are linear load, the K-factor value is zero. Normally, it is used to specify a
shown in Figure 12, 13 and 14. The voltage waveforms are not distorted transformer for non-linear loads. Higher K-factor value means more
but the current waveforms are completely distorted and become power loss in the line and increase in the heating of the transformer.
complex due to harmonics. From Table IV it can be depicted that the Since the K-factor value is about 15, which means that the non-linear
voltage and current THD value of the fabrication model resembles with load rating is high. This situation can be solved by using K4 index
the MATLAB simulation results. transformer or install harmonic mitigation methods like power filter to
reduce the harmonics.

185

Fig. 15. Current line spectrum of red phase with its THD.
The testing results obtained by using PQ analyser from the
fabrication model, shows that the PQ is disturbed due to load side
harmonics. This fabrication model proves that the three-phase bridge
rectifier usually used in the industries possess high current harmonics
at 5th and 7th order. Such harmonics can be minimised by carrying out
simulation of the test model specially connected with transformer, line
reactor, passive and active power filter or using higher pulse rectifier.
Fig. 16. Current line spectrum of yellow phase with its THD.
Fig. 17. Current line spectrum of blue phase and its THD.
VI. CONSLUSION
Modelling and simulations of three-phase six pulse bridge rectifier
are presented and discussed in this paper. The simulation model is
simple and economical to study the performance of the rectifier. For the
186
simulation condition, the transformer, diode, and line parameter are
settled in ideal condition. In order to study the performance of the six-
pulse rectifier under numerous practical conditions, it can be carried out
by changing the component parameters of the system like given
resistive losses and more comprehensive diode models.
From the harmonic analysis of the fabricated model, it shows the
dominant harmonic order is 5th and 7th which about 55 % and 35 %
respectively for the RYB phase. The harmonic behaviour of this kind
of rectifier is important for taking the count to its given desired
operation application in different working environment. Besides that,
this high value of current THD which more than 62 % will limit the
capacity of the transformer even if it is not overloaded. In order to
overcome harmonic problem, various types of power filter circuits can
be studied and applied with simulated and fabricated model.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This paper was partly sponsored by the Register Office
University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM).
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