Development of an active power filter physical simulator connected with RTDS

This paper introduces an active power filter (APF) physical simulator which can be connected with a real time digital simulator (RTDS). According to the actual input/output ports of the RTDS, the interface circuit is designed to combine them to form a closed-loop hybrid real time simulation system. Intelligent power module (IPM) PM200DSA120 is utilized for switching. The control system of the APF uses an industrial computer and dual DSP as the upper and lower computer structure. Therefore, its human-machine interface is friendly and prone to supervision. The control circuits and programs are both modularized for upgrading. Based on the simulator developed, experiments such as harmonics and reactive power compensation, load voltage fluctuation, load step change and interconnection with the RTDS are implemented, and the results agree with the academic analysis. The implementation of the simulator provides a good platform for study of the dynamic performance and control strategies of the APF, and it also establishes theoretical and experimental foundations for an actual APF device.