Single-phase current-source active rectifier for traction applications: new control strategy based on phase shift controller

This research has been motivated by industrial demand for single-phase current-source active rectifier (CSAR) dedicated for reconstruction of older types of dc machine locomotives operating on both ac catenary voltages of 25 kV/50 Hz and 15 kV/16 ²/₃ Hz. This contribution presents new control strategy of CSAR using controller of phase shift angle (phi) between trolley wire voltage and current. Regarding possible interaction with railway control signalling and due to the low switching frequency, the designed converter employs synchronous PWM. This paper describes in detail proposed converter control and presents simulation results of the laboratory prototype. The simulation results and theoretical conclusions are verified by experiments performed on designed low power laboratory prototype of traction CSAR with rated power of 7 kVA.