Specifications of the System
The line voltage is taken as 110 V (RMS), which is relatively low and may represent a
downscaled laboratory or certain industrial application. The system has been designed for
an operating frequency of 50 Hz, which is the standard in several regions of the world
including India and Europe. These specifications thus take utmost precedence since they act
as a base reference for the design of all the components of the SAPF.
RMS Value of Load Current
For the designing of the SAPF, it is extremely essential to study what type of load is
connected to the system. For this purpose, a nonlinear load is assumed which could
typically be a diode- or thyristor-based rectifier. Such loads are guilty of drawing non-
sinusoidal currents from the supply which generate harmonics. Thus, the output current
through the rectifier is presumed to be 20A, with the SAPF under discussion designed to
compensate for the harmonics and reactive components contained therein.
DC Bus Voltage Computation
The DC bus voltage is, on the other hand, also of immense importance in the case of the VSI
involved in the SAPF. The VSI converts the DC voltage into some waveform of compensating
current which, in turn, cancels the harmonics in the load current. In this case, the voltage
must be rated high enough so that the inverter can inject the compensation current into the
system. The following expression is used:
VDC = (2√2 × VLL) / (√3 × m)
Where:
VLL is the line-to-line RMS voltage, which is 110 V.
m is the modulation index, generally taken as 1 for maximum linear range of PWM.
Substituting the values:
VDC = (2√2 × 110) / √3 = 179.6 V
In order to guarantee reliable operation and to allow for transients and control tolerances a
margin is added which results in the selection of a higher value. Selected value therefore is
VDC = 275 V. This value is chosen so that even in times when dynamic changes in load are
affecting the inverter operation, there is enough headroom with this value for the inverter
to generate compensation currents.
DC Link Capacitor Calculation
The DC link capacitor has two major functions: it stores energy and maintains a nearly
constant voltages on DC side. It also assists in absorbing the ripple power that exchanges
between AC and DC sides. The capacitor value is determined as follows:
CDC = 2P / (3 × ω × VDC² × ΔVDC)
Where:
P = Active power handled by SAPF = 1000 W
ω = Angular frequency = 2π × 50 = 314.16 rad/s
ΔVDC = Allowable ripple in DC voltage = 0.05 × 275 = 13.75 V
Substituting the values:
CDC = 2 × 1000 / (3 × 314.16 × 275² × 0.05) = 560 µF
This computed value ensures that the DC voltage will not vary excessively, which is
imperative for the stable operation of the inverter. For added safety and improved voltage
stability, the selected value is rounded up to 560 µF.
The filter inductor Lf is located between the inverter output and the point of common
coupling (PCC). Its primary function is to filter the high-frequency switching waveform of
the inverter and to ensure the injected current is as sinusoidal as possible. In addition, the
inductor also helps in limiting the rate of change of current (di/dt) with the intention of
protecting the switching devices.
The value is calculated using:
Lf = √3 × VDC / (12 × fs × ΔI)
Where:
VDC = 275 V (as selected above)
fs = Switching frequency = 15 kHz
ΔI = Current ripple = 0.2 × 5 A = 1 A
Substituting the values and to ensure better performance and reduce current ripple further,
a slightly higher value is chosen:
Selected Lf = 5 mH
This makes the filtering much better and ensures that a clean current waveform is fed into
the system.
Calculation of Source Inductor (Ls)
The source inductor is used to match the impedance between the source and the SAPF
making the transition of current and voltage smooth and improving the dynamic response
of the system. It also reduces the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the source current.
For symmetry and ease of implementation in the design, the value of the source inductor is
chosen to be equal to that of the filter inductor:
Ls = Lf = 5 mH
This further confirms the balancing of the whole system and potently leads to maintaining
better power factor.
8. Final Chosen Parameters
Final values of the design components for SAPF are:
DC Link Voltage: 275 V
DC Link Capacitor: 560 mu F
Lf Filter Inductor: 5 mH
Source Inductor (Ls): 5 mH
Switching Frequency: 15kHz
All these values have been selected while maintaining generous margins for reliable and
stable operation of the Shunt Active Power Filter. SAPF based on these parameters has
ended up being very good in harmonic current compensation as well as power factor
improvement and very good quality of power supplied to the sensitive equipments.
