Note that

1.

Each valve thus conducts for a period of 1200, when it is

conducting.

2.

The magnitude of valve current is Id, the valves in the upper

row carry positive current and the valve in the lower row
carry negative current.

3.

The current in each phase of the ac source is composed of

current in the two valves connected to that phase. For
example ir = i1 i2 (i.e., the current in the secondary winding
of the transformer.

4.

The transfer of current from one valve to another valve in the same row is called commutation. In this analysis
source inductance has been assumed to be negligible. Therefore commutation occurs instantly i.e., without overlap.

5.

The grid or gate control can be used to delay the ignition of the valves. The delay angle delay angle is denoted by
and it corresponds to time delay of /.

6.

With delay angle valve 3 ignites at t= instead of

t=1200+.

7.

The ignition may be delayed upto t=1800 for phase y. beyond this ey is no longer greater than er. hence valve-3
will not ignite.

t=0. similarly valve-4 at at t=600+ valve-5 at at

Average direct voltage or DC voltage :

From t = 60 0 to t = 0 0 , e rb is available at output. In this case valve-1 and valve-2 conduct and each valve
conducts from t=600+ to t= (i.e., total angle of 600)

erb = er eb = E m cos t + 60 0 E m cos t 180 0

(
cos ( 90

= 2Em sin t 600 sin1200 = 3Em sin t 600

= 3Em

Vd =

600 + t = 3E m cos t + 30 0

6
e rb d (t )
2 60 0 +

3 3Em

[ (

sin + 30

) (

[Here Vd 0 =
600

= Vd 0 sin + 30 0 sin 30 0

[Assuming t = ]

= 3Em sin 600 t

6
0
3E m cos t + 30 d(t )
2 60 0 +

6
0
3E m cos + 30 d
2 60 0

)]

3 3E m

= Vd 0 2 sin 30 0 cos

Vd = Vd 0 cos

Now, Vd 0 =

Again,

3 6E ph
3 3E m 3 3
=
2E ph =

Vd 0 =

3 6 E ph

E
3 2E L
L =

3 6

E ph = Rms value of phase voltage

E L = Rms value of line voltage

Note that

Concept of harmonic analysis

If I be a non-sinusoidal time varying current, then it may be resolve into a number of sinusoidal and co-sinusoidal
components containing fundamental and higher order harmonics.
The fundamental component may be calculated as follows:

Fundamental component of I = I1 =

B
A12 + B12 tan 1 1
A1

where, A1 = 2 Average of I ( ) cos

and B1 = 2 Average of I ( ) sin

Output current: The voltage and current waveform for phase R is shown below:

Let us assume, er = E m cos t

and here, I = I d

0
2
600
2 60
I
cos

I
sin
=

Therefore, A1 = 2 Average of I ( ) cos =

d
d
600

60 0

3
3
Id

2 2
2

2
3 2 3
Id 2
=
Id
2

0
2 60
and B1 = 2 Average of I ( ) sin =
I d sin d = 0

I1 =
I1rms =

60 0

B
2 3
A12 + B12 tan 1 1 =
I d 0 0
A1

2 3

1
2

I d = rms value of fundamental component of current in phase R.

Let us consider only fundamental component of current in phase R

I rms = I1rms =
Load current,

Id

= rms value of transformer secondary current.

V
IL = d =
RL

3 2EL
cos
R L

3 2EL
Q
V
=
d0

If losses in the converter be neglected, the AC power input must be equal to DC power output.

PAC = PDC
3E ph I rms cos =

Or,

Or,

3E ph I rms cos

3 6 E ph

cos

I rms

= 3E ph I rms cos

3 6 E ph

cos and I d =
I rms
Q Vd =

cos = cos

PAC = PDC = 3E ph I rms cos = 3E ph I rms cos

QAC = 3E ph I rms sin = 3E ph I rms sin
At = 0, P = Pmax , Q = 0 = E ph I rms sin = E R I R sin

At = 90 ,0 P = 0 , Q = Qmax

(for phase R )

If

90 0 , P = Negative

Converter will act as an inverter.

At = 180, 0 P = Pmax , Q = 0
Therefore we see the converter whether is acting as rectifier or as an inverter, draws reactive power from ac system.
Different types of HVDC links used in HVDC transmission:
A. MONOPOLAR LINKS:
1.

It uses one conductor, usually of negative polarity. The return path is ground or water (sea).

2.

Instead of ground return a metallic return may be used in situations where earth resistivity is too high or possible
interference with underground or underwater metallic structure is objectionable.

B. BIPOLAR LINKS:
1.

It has two conductors, one positive and the other negative.

2.

Each terminal has two converters of equal rated voltage, connected in series on the DC side. The junction between
the converters is grounded.

3.

Normally the currents in the two poles are equal and there is no ground current.

4.

The two poles can operate independently. If one pole is isolated due to fault on its conductor, the other pole can
operate with ground and thus carry half the rated load or more by using overload capabilities of its converter and line.

5.

From the view point of lighting performance, a bipolar HVDC line is considered to be effectively equivalent to double
circuit AC transmission line.

6.

Under normal operation it will cause considerably less harmonic interference on nearby facilities than
MONOPOLAR links.

7.

when ground return is not possible (due to high earth resistivity), metallic return is used. It serves as the return
path when one pole is out of service or when there is imbalance during bipolar operation.

8.

The third conductor requires low insulation and may also serve as a shield wire for overhead lines. If it is fully
insulated, it can serve as a spare.

C. HOMOPOLAR LINKS:
1.

Two or more conductors have same polarity, usually negative polarity because it causes less radio interference due
to corona.

2.

The return path is ground. When there is a fault in one conductor entire converters is available for feeding the
remaining conductors which having some overload capability can carry more than normal power.

3.

In the contrast, for BIPOLAR SCHEME reconnection of the whole conductor in one pole is more complicated and
usually not feasible. HOMOPOLAR configuration offers advantage in this regard in situations where continuous
ground current is acceptable.

4.

The ground current may have side effects on gas or pipeline that lies within a few miles of the system electrodes.
Pipelines acts as conductors for ground current which can cause corrosion of metal. Therefore configuration with
ground return may not be possible.

Each of these HVDC system configurations usually has

1.

Cascaded group of several converters each having transformer bank and group of valves.

2.

The converters are connected in parallel on AC side and in series on DC side to give desired voltage level from
pole to ground.

Following are the types of application for which HVDC transmission line has been used:
1.

AC transmission is impractical for underwater cable longer than 30KM due to high capacitance requiring
intermediate compensation station.

2.

Asynchronous link between two AC system where AC ties is not feasible because of system stability problem
or a difference in nominal frequency of the two systems.

3.

For large amount of power transmission over long distances by overhead line, HVDC is a competitive
alternative in excess of about 600KM.

A bipolar scheme with all of its components is shown below:

DC smoothening reactor (SR):

A dc reactor is connected in series with each pole of a converter station. Its inductance lies in range of 0.4 to 1H. The
value of inductance of the reactor should be such that a resonance of the dc circuit does not occur at power frequency.
It serves the following purposes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Decreases harmonic voltage and current in the dc line.

Prevents commutation failure in inverters
Limits crest current in the rectifier during short circuit on dc line.
Decreases the incidence of commutation failures in the inverter during dips in the alternating voltage.
Smoothens the ripple in the direct current sufficiently to prevent the current from becoming discontinuous at
light loads.

A simple HVDC transmission system

Actually, two HVDC converters are connected on both sides.

DC output of converter

= Vd 0 cos

If > 900 converter will act as inverter. Therefore HVDC terminals can be designed to operate both in rectifier and
inverter mode by controlling delay angle .
Method of reversal of power flow:
For forward power flow (from Stn-1 to Stn-2), is controlled between 00 to 900 at Stn-1 and between 900 to 1800 at
Stn-2. The -control is just opposite for reversal of power flow.

Advantages of HVDC transmission system

1.
2.
3.
4.

No stability problem with Dc line, hence there is no longer length limitation with DC.
There is no skin effect with DC, hence power loss are reached marginally.
A DC transmission line requires no reactive compensation.
Power flow through DC tie lines can be controlled more rapidly and accurately.

Disadvantages of HVDC transmission system

1.
2.
3.
4.

Circuit breaking is difficult in DC circuit.

DC system does not have transformer to change the voltage level.
Cost of terminal station is very high.
Both AC and DC harmonics are generated. AC and DC filiters are required to minimize harmonics involving
high cost.

HVDC Systems in India

HVDC has been incorporated in the Indian grid also. The following two systems have been commissioned in 1991.
(a) Rihand-Delhi HVDC System: A 500 kV, 1500 MW, 810 km bipolar HVDC line has been set up between
Rihand and Delhi to transmit bulk power from Rihand/Singrauli complex to Delhi. It is designed to operate in the
following modes: bipolar, monopolar with ground return, monopolar with metallic return.
(b) Vindhyachal HVDC back to back System: This back to back link is for exchange of power between Northern and
Western regions.. Each block of 250 MW is capable of operating independently in either direction and can transfer
power in the range of 25 MW to 250 MW depending on system conditions.
In addition to above, Chandrapur back to back project (2 x 500 MW), Chandrapur-Padghe bipolar system
(500kV, 1500 MW, 736 km), Jeypore back to back project (2 x 250 MW) and Mau back to back project (2 x 250
MW) are also proposed.