Method and apparatus to reduce current distortion in line-commutated rectifiers

The use of a method and an apparatus to different configurations of line-commutated ac/dc rectifiers to reduce the distortion of currents flowing from the ac supply is described. The load may be either inductive or capacitive. The technology involves an accurate shaping of the dc current using two self-commutated switches (IGBT´s). This dc-current shaping is reflected back into the shaping of the ac input currents, which become pure sine waves. Thyristor-based rectifying operation is possible with a simple control circuit, which is able to deal with both rapid load variations and failures in the self-commutated switches. Furthermore, the overlap conduction of bridge thyristors is eliminated completely. Experimental verification is provided from a 400-V, 30-kVA and 50-Hz laboratory prototype.