ROHINI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

2.1 Line commutated converter

The conversion from AC to DC and vice-versa is done in HVDC converter
stations by using three phase bridge converters. The configuration of the bridge (also
called Graetz circuit) is a six pulse converter and the 12 pulse converter is composed of
two bridges in series supplied from two different (three-phase) transformers with voltages
differing in phase by 30o.
Pulse Number
The pulse number of a converter is defined as the number of pulsations (cycles of
ripple) of direct voltage per cycle of alternating voltage.
The conversion from AC to DC involves switching sequentially different
sinusoidal voltages onto the DC circuit.

Figure 2.1.1 A Valve group with ‘p’ valves

[Source: “HVDC Power Transmission Systems” by [Link], page-32]

A valve can be treated as a controllable switch which can be turned ON at any

instant, provided the voltage across it is positive.
The output voltage Vd of the converter consists of a DC component and a ripple
whose frequency is determined by the pulse number.
Choice of Converter Configuration
The configuration for a given pulse number is so chosen in such a way that the
valve and transformer are used to the maximum.

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Figure 2.1.2 Converter made up of series and parallel connection of

communication groups
[Source: “HVDC Power Transmission Systems” by [Link], page-33]

A converter configuration can be defined by the basic commutation group and the
number of such groups connected in series and parallel.
If there are ‘q’ valves in a basic commutation group and r of those are connected
in parallel and s of them in series then,
p=qrs
Note:
A commutation group is defined as the group of valves in which only one
(neglecting overlap) conducts at a time.
Valve Rating:
The valve rating is specified in terms of Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV). The ratio of
PIV to average DC voltage is an index of valve utilization.
So, average maximum DC voltage across the converter is given by,

q
q
Vdo  s
2 E

m costd (t )
q

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q sq      sq 
s E m (sin t ) / q/ q  E m sin  sin     E m .2 sin
2 2  q  q  2 q

sq 
Vdo  E m sin ----- (1)
 q

If ‘q’ is even, then maximum inverse voltage occurs when the valve with a phase
displacement of 180o is conducting and is given by,
PIV = 2Em
If ‘q’ is odd, then maximum inverse voltage occurs when the valve with a phase
shift of π±(π/q) is conducting and is given by,
PIV = 2Em cos(π/2q)

The valve utilization factor is given by

PIV 2Em 2
For q even,  
Vdo sq  
E m sin s.q. sin
 q q

  
2 E m cos 2 . cos 2 . cos
PIV 2q 2q 2q
For q odd,   
Vdo sq    
E m sin sq. sin sq.2 cos sin
 q q 2q 2q

  2 
(Since sin2θ=2sinθcosθ and 2 cos sin  sin  sin )
2q 2q 2q q

PIV 
 (For q odd)
Vdo 
sq. sin
2q

Transformer Rating:
The current rating of a valve is given by,
Id
Iv  ------ (2)
r q

where, Id is the DC current which is assumed to be constant.

The transformer rating on the valve side (in VA) is given by,

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Em
S tv  p Iv
2
From equations (1), (2) & p=qrs, we have
Vdo . Id
S tv  p .
 r q
2 .sq. sin
q

 Vdo I d
S tv  .
2 
q . sin
q

 S tv 
Transformer utilization factor   is a function of q.
 Vdo I d 

Figure 2.1.3 Six pulse converter

[Source: “HVDC Power Transmission Systems” by [Link], page-35]

As AC supply is three phase so, commutation group of three valves can be easily
arranged. So, for q = 3,
S tv 

Vdo I d 
(2 X 3) sin
3
S tv 

Vdo I d 6 sin 60 o

S tv
 1.48
Vdo I d

Transformer utilization can be improved if two valve groups can share single
transformer winding. In this case, the current rating of the winding can be increased by a
factor of √2 while decreasing the number of windings by a factor of 2.

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It is a 6-pulse converter consisting of two winding transformer where the

transformer utilization factor is increased when compared to three winding transformer.
The series conduction of converter groups has been preferred because of
controlling and protection as well as the requirements for high voltage ratings. So, a 12
pulse converter is obtained by series connection of two bridges.
The 30o phase displacement between two sets of source voltages is achieved by
transformer connections Y-Y for one bridge and Y-∆ for the other bridge.
The use of a 12 pulse converter is preferable over the 6 pulse converter because of
the reduced filtering requirements.

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