GENERALIZED SYMMETRICAL ANGLE PWM TECHNIQUE
FOR A.C. VOLTAGE CONTROLLER
Gama/M. Hashem*, und Mostafa K. Dowish**
**
’Deparrment of Electrical Engineering, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Facully of information d Engineering systems, Leedk Metropolitan University, Leeds, U.K.
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Abstract - Conventional niethods of a.c. i~oltage
controllers, such as on-off control and phme-ongle
control are known io produce harmonic voltages in the
O.C. szippiy l i t m This paper inimdures the use offorced
roninrututed techniqires in a.c. voolrage controllers,
tiame1jJ; symntetricd angle pulse width moddotion
tecliniqiie. The sjw”trica1~v displaced piilses within
the sinusoidal voliage woveform is adopted The
advariiages of riniif displacement factor and high
freqiiency harmonic currents which are euq, to filter,
can be gained in ihe suggested control technique. The
resrilting harmonic currents from the proposed
techniqiie are ~nalyzedand compared on a basis of the
phase-angle controlled technique. Simple LCjilters can
be introduced in the supply input side of the voltage
controllers to improve the qualip of the supply voliage
woveform. 7he analysis of karmonic currents showed
that noticeable reducrion as gained with increasing ihe
number ofpiilses per halfcycle.
Index Term - A.C. Choppers, PWM, Harmonics
I. INTRODUCTION
Large loads supplied from ax. voltage controllers used
in soft starters, transformer controlled primary side for
large electro-chemical rectifiers, fumaces, heaters, a.c.
motors speed control and theatre dimmers all produce
harmonic currents which have bad influence on the
utility electrical network. Hannonic currents when
passing through the source harmonic impedances
produce harmonic voltages, resulting in source voltage
waveform distortion [I]. Voltage synchronized
equipment supplied from such polluted voltage sources
may suffer from malfunctioning and operational
failures. A.C. motors supplied from such voltage
sources may over heat and produce parasitic torques.
Also, high frequency harmonic voltages may cause
overheating of reactive power compensating capacitors
and lead to premature life time. Another drawback o f
harmonic voltages and currents produced in ax. sources
is the false operation of protection devices due to the jrd
harmonic current interfering with zero sequence voltage
components. These problems can be solved by using
sophisticated advanced control schemes[2]-[9].
A new PWM control technique for ax. choppers
is proposed. In this technique, a PWM switching
function composed of 2 K pulses is introduced in each
cycle of the ac source. The suggested symmetrical angle
pulse width modulation SAPWM technique has the
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advantages of unity displacement factor and better total
current and total voltage harmonic distortion as well as
better distortion factor DF. The SAPWM technique
produces high frequency harmonic currents, which are
easy to filter. This technique has the advantages of
enabling linear control of the fundaxnental output
voltage component. The higher the number ofpulscs per
half cycle K, the higher are the Frequencies of harmonic
currents and the easier is the filtering . The limitation in
this technique is the increased switching losses of
thyristors and other transistor switches, namely BJT’s,
MOSFET and IGBT’s. The study in this paper considers
only number of pulses per haIf cycle up to K = 21
pulses.
The analysis in this paper concentrates on the fully
controlled single-phase a.c. voltage controller. It applies
equally well to three-phase controllers of singk-phase
operating nature with one mode of operation, namely;
four wire star connected loads or delta connected
switches. The third harmonic current is present in the
supply lines in this case. However, the analysis could be
extended to three-phase ax. controllers of three-phase
operating nature, with two modes of operation such as
three-wire star connected loads or delta connected loads.
Conventional forced commutated thyristor techniques
could be used in the suggested controllers. Simpler
circuits with better switching characteristics could be
achieved using the gate turn off thyristors GTO’s. Since
fumaces and heating loads supplied from a.c. voltage
controllers are relatively large loads with large
controllers, it is economically possible to use tuned LC
filters across the a.c. line inputs to bypass unwanted
hannonics and to reduce other hannonics.
Theoretical comparison i s made with the
conventional phase-angle control technique, and the
computed performance indicates the superiority of the
proposed technique.
11. THEORETICAL ANALYSIS
The output current waveforms of the chosen different
types of a x . voltage controllers are analyzed using
Fourier analysis. Resistive loads are considered, since
harmonic currents are the worst in this case and output
current waveform can bc defined accurately.
Phase-angle Control
The conventional circuit diagram of a single phase a x .
voltage controller with resistive load full-wave switch is
used [I]. The waveforms of output load voltage and
gating signals for thyristors TI and T2 are shown in Figures 2 and 3 show the waveforms of the output load
Figure 1, at a tiring angle a =n/4. Therangeofthe voltage and gating signals for thyristors T1 and f 2 from
firing angle a in this method of control is given as the a.c. chopper supplied resistive load for K=3, and
follows [I]: K=4 respectively. It is clear from these figures that all
O<a<n (1) the pulse widths having the same width. The width of
afly pulse w i s calculated a5 follows :
The instantaneous line current can be expressed by
w=(--Za)
Fourier analysis as follows K
The duty cycle W in this case is given as
W=KW= ( ~ - 2 K a ) ( 1 1)
n=I
The wavefonn in this case has a half wave
and since the current waveform has a half-wave
symmetry and also i,(wt) = - i,(wt k n). Then a, = 0 for
symmetry, then
all values of n. Equation (3) is rewritten for the
b, = 2 1, sin ot sin not dwt
integration limits for any values of K as follows

integration pervious equation yields to

lm
bn = - [ I -cos[( n - 1) a] L J i=I
q,-l)+a
n n - l I;

- I - cos[( n +1) a J (12)

n + l
I Considering these terms for simplification
r .
for n = 3, 5 , 7, ..
0, = -((I- 1) + U , and pi= --IK . - a
K K
The integration ( I 2 ) yields to
for n = 1, (3) after integration yields to Rr3 (1-r
I,,
b , = -[cos2a-I] b, =$[;.(-:)K]
2a
,-I n-l
S n (n+ I)p. - sin( o + I ) @ ,
I
'1 (13)
n+l
The integration yields to forn = I , (12) after integration yields to

a =I

-
IT .
sin[(
'
sin[( n + l ) a I

n -
n+l
I) aJ
The amplitude of the resultant harmonic current is
givenasI,= b, ' for n = 1 , 3 , 5 , ... (15)
n-I
1
forn = 3, 5 , 7, .,. IV. RESULTS
for n = 1, ( 6 ) after integration yields to
The suggested method was numerically verified through
the extensive simulations using MATLAB/Simulink
software package, To cvaluate the potential of the
The amplitude of the resultant harmonic current is given proposed PWM technique, the phase-angle control
as technique has been investigated for comparison. The
1, = [ an2f b,? 1"' ; for n = I , 3, 5 , 7, phase-angle control technique, and the proposed
(9) SAPWM technique are applied to single-phase a x .
voltage conwoller switches. The circuit data is as
111. SYMMETRICAL ANGLE PULSE follows: a.c. supply voltage IS 220 Volts at 50 Hz, and
WIDTH MODULATION the load resistance is 5 n.
The harmonic spectnnn of the load current in
In the proposed symmetrical angle pulse width case of phase-angle control technique is shown in figure
modulation technique SAPWM, the output voltage is 4, and for K = 5, IO, and 20 is shown in Figure 5
controlled by controlling the width o l K pulses pcr half through Figure 7. For easy comparison, the fundamental
cycle. The pulses are symmetrically adjusted around current components in all figures, are kept constant at
the 90" axis and the first pulse is delayed by the firing 0.9 P.U. (57.5 Amps.). Of course this P.U. current value
angle a and the next pulse is delayed by twice a from occurred at different values of the firing angle a at each
the end of the pervious pulse, and so the rest pulses. K, so the firing angle IS calculated accordingly. It can be

899
noticed in these figures that the lower order harmonic [RI El-Sabbc A. and Zcin El-Din A.," A Novcl AC Voltagc
Rcpula8or." lECON'9R. Pwrreiling o j rhe 24" Anniial
currents is quite high in the case of low values of K, ~ ~ofrite IEEE.
~ v01.2.pp
~ 607-rii I~. f e ~ ~ ~
while they are eliininated or reduced with increasing the [9] B. W. Williams," A symincirically modulstcd A.C. c h o p p L
~ _I___
~ II_~

number of pulses per half cycle such as in the case K =-- /€E€ Trari\ hd. Elecrion.. vo1.2Y.pp.181-I 85,1982.
20 as shown in Figure 7.
For easy comparison, each perfonnancc parameter
of the a.c. voltage controller at different K values are
drawn on the same graph. Figure 8 and 9 show the
current T14D and current DF for different values of K as
mentioned in the figures. Comparing these wavefonns it
is obvious that the worst current THD and current DF is
in the case of phase-angle control technique, while they,
noticeable improved with increasing the values K.
Figure 10 and I 1 show the fundamental and total r m s of
load currents versus the firing angle rz for different
values of K. Also in these figures, its clear that smooth .... ........
controlling of the fundamental and total r1n5 of load ....
currents can be achieved by using the proposed , .
technique.
whk 1-(

V. CONCLUSIONS Figure I A.C. Voltage Controller wavefonns

(Phase-angle control) a =d4
It has been demonstrated in this paper that the new
proposed symmetrical angle pulse width modulation 151 I
technique can be used to control the a.c. voltagel
controller with the advantages of unity displacement
factor and reduced lower order harmonics. Studying this
technique at different values of K show that increasing
the number of pulses per-half cycle K, noticeably!
improves the performance of the a.c. voltage controller. I
The switching patterns ,based on the proposed:
technique is easily generated using a simple micro-!
I
controller or a dedicated built in microchip. I
This work may be extended to study the performance'
of a.c. voltage controllers supplied static resistive-'
inductive loads, dynamic loads, as well as three-phase
configurations.
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VI. REFERENCES
Figure 2 A.C. Voltage Controljer waveforms
[I] M. H. Rashld. *' Powcr Elcctronics ," Pren!ire-hal/ biter?ialional. (SAPWM) K = 3, a = d l 2
l1fC 1993.
121 Dc-Hyun Jang: Gyu-Ha Choe and Ehsdmi. .W.." Asymmcirical
PWM tcchniquc with harmonic climination and powcr factor,
control in AC choppers." Poivei- Elrcrrunics, IEEE Ti~anractionh'
u n . Volume: I O lssuc: 2 . Mar 1995 pp.175 -184.
- 1 : :............. ; ...........> ..
[ 3 ] Choc. G.-H. and Wallacc. A.K.: Park. M.-H.," An improvcd PWM * 05--/---.. j
.................................................
tcchniquc for AC choppers ," Power Elrcfruttics, IEEE
Twnsarfions o n , Volume: 4 lssuc: 4 , Oct 1989. pp. 496 -505 1 * 0-'
0 1
L
m m m m m s m 7 r o
[4] Iiurriz. F.and Ladoux. P.," Phase-controlled multilcvcl convmcrs,
based on dual s i r " associations." Power Elecrronics. lEE&
Trunsooionx on. Volume: 15 Issue: I .Jan 2000. pp. 92 -102.
'
."
151 Ahmcd, N.A.. Amci. K. and Sakut. M A new configuration of
single-phasc symmcincal PWM AC choppcr voltagc contmllcr :'
Indirsrriu/ Eiectronics. IEEE Tronsaclrorts on , Volumc: 46 Issuc:'
5 , Oct 1 9 9 9 . p ~942
. -952. !
[6] Do-Hyun Jang and Gyu-HaChoc," lmprovctncnt of input pow% I
factor in AC choppers using asymmctncal PWM tcchniquc.",
....
Indirstriui Electronirs. IEEE Transuclionx on , Volumc: 42 Issuc:; I

2 , Apr 1995. pp.179 -185.

[7] Jang-Hyoun Youm and Bong-Hwan Kwon," Switching tcchniquc,
I . . !
for currcnr-controllcd AC-lo-AC convcncrs," Indusmal. ~ i m m m r o a m m 7 m
!
Electronics. IEEE Transactions on, Volumc; 46 Issuc; 2 APT!. Firingbgle l d q m 3

1999 . pp.309 -3 IS.

Figure 3 A.C. Voltage Controller waveforms
(SAPWM) K = 4. U = d 1 2

900
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Figure 4 Line current hannonic spectrum Figure 8 Total Current Harmonic Distortion
(Phase-angle control) versus Firing Angle Q

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Hcnnmic Order

Figure 5 Line current harmonic spectrum Figure 9 Current Distortion Factor Versus
(SAPWM) K = 5 Number of pulses per half cycle K

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Figure 6 Line current harmonic spectrum Figure 10 Load rms Currents Versus
(SAPWM) K = 10 Firing Angle a

Humonlc Ordsr

Figure 7 Line current harmonic spectrum Figure I 1 Fundamental Load rms Currents
(SAPWM) K = 20 Versus Firing Angle a

901