Analysis and Design of Harmonic Subtractors for
Three Phase Rectifier Equipment to Meet Harmonic Compliance
Jaehong Halm* Moonshik Kang*
* Power Electronics and Power Quality Laboratory
Department of Electrical Engineering
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX. 77843-3 128
Tel : (409) 845 - 7466
Fax : (409) 845 - 6259
E-mail : enjeti@tamu.edu
Abstract
In this paper, harmonic subtractor topologies are proposed
for powering three phase diode rectifier front-end switched mode
converters and power supplies. Both 12-pulse and 18-pulse
subtractor configurations are discussed. The proposed 18-pulse
subtractor, powering three, 3-phase switch-mode power supply
loads (of 40% THD each) achieves an input current THD of
7.9% with 0.17 [pu] VA rated auto-transformer. Analysis is
presented for varying load conditions. The paper also discusses
12-pulse high frequency harmonic subtractor, which results in
smaller size and weight. A design example is included,
simulation and experimental result are presented on a lOkVA,
208V, system.
1. Introduction
3-phase switch mode power supply (SMPS) are standard
components in telecommunications, data processing systems
and numerous industrial systems. An example tele-
communication power system requires -48V, 200A to 2000A
dc [ 1,2]. Such a system involves parallel operation of several
3-phase SMPS units. The total harmonic current distortion
(THD) of the system is over 40% since the input circuitry of
the switch-mode power supply usually consists of a 3-phase
diode rectifier and a capacitor, which draws non-sinusoidal
input current. The effects of harmonics on power system
equipment is well documented in [8]. New harmonic limits
for 3-phase equipment are currently under review and detailed
in IEC 61000-3-4 [9] and IEEE 519 [8]. In order to meet
these harmonic limits, several approaches have been studied
and summarized in [3,4].
(a) employ three single phase power factor correction
(PFC) stages for 3-phase input.
(b) use a single switch PFC approach with discontinuous
mode control or harmonic injection control.
(c) employ 5" and 7" harmonic input filters.
(d) employing six switch IGBT PWM rectifier.
The above approaches suffer from the following
disadvantages.
(i) employing three independent single phase PFC stages
suffers from high parts count and requires complex
inter-connections on the dc side.
0-7803-5864-3/00/$10.000 2000 IEEE
Prasad N. Enjeti* Ira J. Pitel**
* * Magna-Power Electronics
85 Fulton St.
Boonton, NJ. 07005
Tel : (973) 263 - 0017
Fax : (973)263 - 1928
E-mail : i.pitel@ieee.org
(ii) single switch PFC approach for 3-phase, suffers
fiom high dc link voltage and high switch current
rating.
(iii) 5* and 7* harmonic filters are bulky.
(iv) six switch IGBT PWM rectifier approach also
suffers from higher part count.
(v) all of these approaches generate high EM1 and
require additional filter stages.
In response to these concerns, in this paper several
harmonic subtractors topologies are discussed for 3-phase
SMPS equipment. The proposed approaches center around
harmonic subtraction and do not warrant re-design of each
individual 3-phase switch mode rectifier stages. A 12-
pulse and 18-pulse passive harmonic subtractor schemes
are investigated with low kVA auto-connected
transformers (0.18 [pu] for 12-pulse and 0.17 [pu] for 18-
pulse). A high frequency 12-pulse harmonic subtractor is
also detailed. The advantages of the proposed approaches
are;
(i) the proposed approaches center around harmonic
subtraction, therefore no active control is
necessary.
(ii) low kVA magnetic components are employed and
high reliability can be achieved.
(iii) the approaches do not generate any additional
EMI.
(iv) Due to the nature of diode rectifier loads, harmonic
subtraction occurs over a wide range for varying
load conditions.
(v) high frequency harmonic subtractor configuration
contributes to further reduction in size and weight.
(vi) the proposed approaches can be viewed as an add-
on solution to existing 3-phase SMPS loads to
meet harmonic compliance.
2. Passive Harmonic Subtractor - 12 Pulse Topology
Fig. 1 (a) shows a 12 pulse harmonic subtractor
configuration. The harmonic subtractor (auto-transformer)
generates two sets of 3-phase outputs with f 1 5 degree
phase shift to power two separate SMPS loads. Voltage at
21 1
each rectifier input terminal increases 3.5% due to phase shift. (CCM). Fig. 2 (b) is for discontinuous conduction mode
2 SMPS
Rectifier Modules
Id2
1- (DCM). Since 5" and 7" are subtracted, the input current
becomes near sinusoidal.
,la1
I I I-

mo.01 220.81 241 67 262 50 263 33

I
Tlm lmsl

(a) Ia when equally loaded (CCM).

Rectifier 2
(a) 12-pulse harmonic subtractor configuration

IC2
kl

kl
Id

Tme

(b) Ia when equally loaded (DCM).

Fig. 2. Input line current waveforms of 12-pulse with equal loads

At equal load, the RMS value of transformer winding

(b) 12-pulse auto-transformerwinding configuration
Fig. 1. Passive harmonic subtractor - 12 pulse topology
The input line current can be expressed as [5]
current I1 is 0.04471, in CCM (Fig. 4). This value is often
used for the design of the transformer. However, when the
loads are unequal the subtraction reduces, which leads to
the increase of the I1 RMS current. This effect will be
discussed in the next section.

2.2. Performance under unequal loads

When Rectifier I or Rectifier I1 is unloaded or lightly
where loaded, the cancellation effect reduces. The input line
current I, becomes as shown in Fig. 3 (a) for CCM or Fig.
3 (b) for DCM when only one rectifier is loaded.

40 w
kl = 0.2679 (4)
I, is the current flowing through the winding between nodes a
and b. I3 is between nodes c and a. kl is the turns ratio of long
leg winding to the short winding (Fig. 1 (b)). The auto-
transformer between the utility and the rectifiers acts like a -mm__-
200 01
- __
2m 81 241 61 262 50 283 33
passive filter, which cancels the 5" and 7" harmonics in the Time"

line current by introducing a 30 degree phase shift. Therefore, (a) Ia when only one output is loaded (CCM).
When Rectifier modules 1 and 2 are equally loaded 5" and 7"
harmonic components of utility input current are subtracted to
zero. However, when one of the output loads draws less than
rated power, the subtraction effects reduces and the resultant
(6nkl) harmonic components which appear in the line current.

2.1. Performance under equal loads

Fig. 2 shows the simulated input line current waveform Tlm [ms)
when Rectifier I and I1 (Fig. 1) are equally loaded. Fig.2 (a)
(b) Ia when only one output is loaded (DCM).
shows the input line current for continuous conduction mode Fig. 3. Input line current waveforms of 12-pulse with unequal loads

212
 Since fundamental of I1 is a dominant component in CCM The other two load are fed by two sets of 3-phase voltages
and increases as the load 2 usage decreases, the maximum generated from the auto-transformer with +20 degree
occurs when on of the load is unloaded. However, 5" and 7~ phase shift.
harmonics of 11 are dominant in DCM. Since the amplitude of In the 18 pulse system, the input line current can be
these components decreases as the load 2 usage decreases in expressed as
DCM, the maximum I1 current occurs when equally loaded.
Fig. 4 shows the R M S current of I, of transformer winding I , = Iu0 + IUl + 1,2 + I , - I3
(Fig. 1) as the load of Rectifier 2 module varies from 0% to where
100%. The I1 RMS current becomes 0.06311, in CCM (Fig.
4) when the Rectifier 2 module does not draw any current.
These values are useful in designing the harmonic subtractor
under unequal load conditions. The RMS value of I, in DCM
is much higher than CCM. Therefore, operating in CCM is
more desirable and extra margin must be imposed when k2 = 0.3072
operating in DCM. 3 = 0.0696
Fig. 5 shows the line current THD with the load usage of
Rectifier 2. As the loads become equal, THD improves either As in the 12-pulse configuration, I1 is the transformer
in CCM or in DCM. It reaches 17% minimum in CCM. winding current between nodes a and b, and I3 is between
nodes c and a. k2 and k3 are the turns ratios of long leg
winding to the short windings.

la1 Id3
I I

'c21 I
Rectifier2
(a) 18-pulse harmonic subtractor configuration

Ibl
k3
kJ
la2

kZ

k2

la

-
3. Passive Harmonic Subtractor 18 Pulse Topology
The concept of the 12-pulse topology can be utilized in 18- I
@) 18-pulse auto-transformer winding configuration
pulse harmonic subtractor configuration employing three, 3- Fig. 6. Passive harmonic subtractor - 18 pulse topology
phase SMPS rectifier modules as shown in Fig. 6. One of the
modules is directly fed from the mains (Rectifier 0 in Fig. 6).

213
 If equally loaded, S", 7", 11" and 13" harmonic mm
components in utility input currents are subtracted reduced to 40 m
zero. As shown in eqs. (6) and (7), there is no IaO component
in II and 13. Therefore, the usage of the load directly fed from
the mains does not affects the I1 R M S current or the VA rating ....
of the subtractor. Whereas, the usage of the loads fed from
the auto-transformer affects the RMS value of I1. 4omj

-mm
2w 01 no 211 87 mi 50 283 33
3.1. Performance under equal loads Tim Imsl

Fig. 7 (a) and (b) show the simulated input line current (a) Ia when load 0 unloaded (CCM).
when all the three outputs are equally loaded. Since 5", 7", 60 m
IS

11" and 13" harmonic components in utility input currents are

absent, the input line current is near sinusoidal.

_
in
.................................................... ..

am-_
mo 01
- __
220 81 141 01 m 2 5O 283 33
nms lmsl

(b) Ia when load 0 unloaded (DCM).

domi .................................. .I
xa 01 220 81 141 81 X15O 183 33
nme Imr)

(a) Ia when equally loaded (CCM).

4 0 00 I. . . . . . . . . . . .
i
. . . . . . . . . .j
-"! ............................................. " ..... . . . . . .
2 m 01 220 e4 141 67 X150 183 U
Tlm (msl

(c) ) Ia when load 2 unloaded (CCM).

-Boa-._ -- __ .a _...........
~ : ........................
m 01 2x1 e4 111 67 mi M 283 33
nm lm51

(b) la when equally loaded (DCM).

Fig. 7. Input line current waveforms of 18-pulse with equal loads

From Fig. 9, I1 R M S value is 0.03241, at equal loads in

CCM. For unequal loads the subtraction reduces, and the I1
R M S current increases as in the 12-pulse configuration. am._
200 01 210 w 241 87 161 5O 283%
mm irml

3.2. Performance under unequal loads (d) ) Ia when load 2 unloaded (DCM).
Fig. 8. Input line current waveforms of 18-pulse with unequal loads
If the load fed from the mains is unloaded or lightly
loaded, the waveform becomes as shown in Fig. 8 (a) and (b).
Since the variation does not pass through the auto-
transformer, the resultant input current is in symmetry.
Therefore it shows better input line current THD as shown in
Fig. 10. When the one fed by transformer (20" lagging) is
unloaded, it yields the waveform of Fig. 8 (c) and (d). The I1
RMS current is shown in Fig. 9 when load 2 usage varies from
0 to 100%. Since the waveform is not symmetry, input line
current THD is worse as shown in Fig. 10. In CCM, the R M S
value of II reaches its maximum of 0.05461, when one of the
loads from the transformer is unloaded. Whereas, in DCM,
the RMS value reaches its maximum at equal loads (Fig. 9).

214
Fig. 10 shows the line current THD of the 18-pulse topology
with the load usage of Rectifier modules of 0 and 2. In CCM,
the minimum THD is 7.9% at equal loads.

t. -11 o 4 N O V 1000
- .... -_ "1.1 1 - 2 2

, ."
T.lcm
(a) , Iac ywhen-7;3;+equally
, 10.0*5/s
, -.,
loaded. (12-pulse DCM)
, ,
, ,, , ~

1000
4. Design Example and Experimental Result :1s

Table 1 summarizes the volt-ampere rating of the auto- la when only one output is loaded. (12-pulse DCM)
(b) 10.0*5/s
T . R m 2176ACqs
+---&-F-~-I
transformers.
Table 1. Maximum VA rating of the auto-transformers
(a) 12pulse
Primary winding current 0.0447 I,
Primary winding current w/o load 2 0.0631 I,
Primary winding voltage
Secondary winding current 0.4082 I,
Secondary winding voltage
Y , 1s. , 5 N O V 1000

Transformer VA rating for unequal loads I VA, I 0.2032 Po (c) Ia when load 0 unloaded. (18-pulse DCM)
16'16 35

(hb -..
\", 1 X -
niilw
'
.
"
r
I Primarv winding current I I,I 0.03241, I
-
I Primarv winding current w/o load 2 I Iif
I 0.0546 I, I
Primary winding voltage I Vh I 0.7407V0
Secondaw windine current
v ,I I., I 0.2722 I, I

1 I
m.

- - (kl)
Secondarv winding voltage . , I Vn1,... I O.1314Vn
Secondary winding voltage (E) j v& j 0.0296 vi
Transformer VA rating for eaual loads 1, VAT. I, 0.1675 P,
I I
..1

Transformer VA for uneaual loads I VAmf I 0.1921 P,

S N O V 1000
In CCM, the I, Rh4S current is increasing when one of the 16:27:54

loads is unloaded. Therefore, the VA rating of the auto-
transformers should be increased when the loads are unequal.
Considering the increased I, current the transformer VA
ratings are 0.203 [pu] for 12-pulse system and 0.192 [pu]for
18-pulse system.
Fig. 11 shows the experimental waveforms of the 12-pulse
and 18-pulse input line currents under DCM operation. Fig 11
(a) shows the line current under equal loads of 12-pulse
configuration. When one of the loads is lightly loaded, the
input line current becomes as shown in Fig. 11 (b). In the 18-
pulse configuration, when the load from the mains is lightly
loaded the input line current is in symmetry (Fig. 11 (c)). If
the light load occurs at the load fed from the auto-transformer,
the line current becomes unsymmetrical as shown in Fig. 11
(a
215
(d) Ia when load 2 unloaded. (18-pulse DCM)
Fig. 11. Input line current
5. High-Frequency Harmonic Subtractor (HFHS)
High Frequency Harmonic Subtractor (HFHS) is a
multi-pulse converter operating at high frequency. Fig. 12
(a) shows the circuit diagram of the proposed HFHS,
which mainly consists of two single phase high frequency
auto-transformers powering 2 three-phase rectifiers and
two 4-quadrant converters providing high frequency
voltage into transformer windings. Fig. 12 (b) shows the
configuration of the proposed 4-quadrant full bridge
converter, which consists of four bi-direction switches.
The implementation of the bi-directional switch can be
achieved by back-to-back connection of two IGBT's as
shown in Fig. 12 (b). The converter switching alternatively at
fixed frequency and duty cycle which directly generates high
frequency voltage from low frequency voltage without any
energy storage or interface stage. Fig. 13 (a) shows the
experimental result of the voltage across the transformer.
Since the transformer windings are operated at high
frequency, the weight of auto-transformer has been reduced to
10.8 Lbs which is 3 1% of 60Hz corresponding component
using conventional grain oriented steel core material. By
employing advanced core material and increasing switching
frequency, the size and weight of the transformer can be
reduced even further.
The Open-Delta structure is chosen to reduce the number
of switching devices and fbrther reduction is possible by
employing 4-quadrant half bridge converter.
Three Phase Open-Delta Auto-Connected I 2 Seperate Three-phase
l l b d
(a) Circuit diagram of proposed HFHS.
(b)4-quadrant converter
Fig. 12. HFHS to improve utility input current THD.
The advantages of the proposed HFHS is summarized as
follows.
9 Significant reduction in size and weight of transformer due
to high frequency operation.
9 VA rating of the auto-transformer and 4-quadrant converter
is only a fraction of the output power.
9 Improved utility line current THD due to the cancellation of
5" and 7" harmonic currents.
9 Under equal loads, the switching frequency components are
absent in the input line current. This feature enhances EM1
compliance.
9 Excellent harmonic subtracting capability under unequal
load condition.
>Improved fault tolerant capability: in the event that
power electronic converters fail, the HFHS reverts to 6-
pulse system operating at 6OHz.
9 T h e system operates under open loop and no
measurements and control is necessary.
5.1. Performance under equal loads.
As shown in Fig. 13 (b), the rectifier input current
contains high frequency component regardless of load
condition. However, during equal load condition, the high
frequency switching components are neutralized at the
utility input side and HFHS operates as a conventional 12-
pulse system. Fig. 13 (c) shows the experimental result of
utility input current. The measured input current THD is
Reniier Load
about 11%. Since, the high frequency switching
components are absent from utility input current, the
proposed HFHS shows enhanced EM1 compliance.
5.2. Performance under unequal loads.
Among the several advantages mentioned above, a
unique feature of the HFHS is that the 5" and 7" harmonic
currents are cancelled even for unequal load condition.
When the two rectifiers are not equally loaded, HFHS still
eliminates 5" and 7" harmonics, but switching frequency
components are no longer neutralized in the utility input
' current. However, a small input filter to attenuate
switching frequency components in the utility line current
can be employed.
Fig. 13 (d) shows the experimental utility input current
when one of the rectifier loads is reduced to zero (Fig. 12
(a)) and an input filter is installed. The THD of input
current (Fig. 13 (d)) under unequal loads is higher (1 8%).
Similar to the passive harmonic subtractor, the current
flowing through the transformer primary winding increases
in HFHS when the load becomes unbalanced. The table 2
shows the summary of the ratings of primary side
transformer, which is the same as the ratings of the
converter.
Table 2. Maximum VA ratings of the HFHS.
Primary winding current I Ipq I 0.0774 I,
Primary winding voltage I v,, IO.7154VA
I Secondarv winding current I I., I 0.4082 I, I
Secondary winding voltage 1 Vqal I 0.1106V0
Transformer VA rating I VATR I 0.2589P0
Maximum winding voltages are independent of load
condition. Maximum primary winding current is obtained
when one load is completely disabled while the other is
fully loaded. Maximum secondary winding current occurs
in full load condition. The voltage and current ratings of
the switching device are the same as those of the
transformer primary winding.
216
 presented to assist selection of components. Simulation
and experimental results demonstrates the system
performance.

References
[I] Lucent Technologies, GALAXY Switchmode Rectifier 595 Series,
catalog.
L
[2] Astec America, VS Series, catalog.
[3] H. Mao, F.C. Lee, D. Boroyevich and S. Hiti, "Review of High
n Performance Three Phase Power Factor Correction Circuits," IEEE
Trans. on I d . Elec., Vol. 44,No. 4, August 1997.
[4] P. Enjeti, and I. Pitel, "Design of Three Phase Rectifier Systems
(a) Voltage across the transformerwindings. with Clean Power Characteristics," Tutorial, PESC'99, 1999.
t' "' ' ' " ' " """'~t"""""" """""'I [5] S. Choi, P. Enjeti, and I. Pitel, "New polyphase transformer
arrangements with reduced KVA capacities for harmonic current
reduction in rectifier type utility interface," IEEE Trans. Power
Electronics, vol. 11, Sept. 1996, pp. 680-690.
[6] M. Kang, B. Woo, P. Enjeti, and I.Pitel, "Auto-Connected
Electronic Transformer (ACET) Based Multi-Pulse Rectifiers for
Utility Interface of Power Electronic Systems," IEEE Trans. Ind. App.
Vol. 35, No. 3, May/June 1999, pp. 646-656.
[7] M. Kang, P. Enjeti, and I, Pitel, "A Simplified Auto-Connected
Electronic Transformer (SACET) Approach Upgrades Standard 6-
Pulse Rectifier Equipment With 12-Pulse CharacteristicsTo Facilitate
1 . .* . . I * joo
mv
t . 3

Pm
. . I . I . . . .I Harmonic Compliance," IEEE PESC '99 Conf. Proc., 1999, pp. 199-
204.
(b) Rectifier Input current. T H h 3 3 %
[8] IEEE Recommended Practices and Requirements for harmonic
Control in Electric Power Systems, IEEE Std. 519,1992.
[9] Limitations of emission of harmonic current in low-voltage power
supply systems for equipment with rated current greater than I6A, IEC
61000-3-4,1998.

Acknowledgement
Support is acknowledged from Texas Advanced
Technology Program to Power Electronics and Power
Quality Research of Texas A&M University.

Appendix
(c)Utility Input Current (12-Pulse Operation) THD=ll%, Review of IEC 61000-3-4 (lstedition 1998-10)

Short circuit ratio (Rsce):

short circuit power
Rsce =
rated apprent power

Table A - Stage 2 current emission values for balanced three-phase

equipment

(d) Utility input current (One load fail mode) THIk18%.

Fig. 13. Experimental result of HFHS. (480V 10kVA-prototype unit with

switching frequency of 1080Hz

6. Conclusion
In this paper, 12-pulse and 18-pulse harmonic subtractor
configurations have been presented for 3-phase SMPS loads. Note 1 - The relative value of even harmonics shall not exceed 16/n %.
Both line frequency and high frequency harmonic subtractor
-
Note 2 Linear interpolation between successive %, values is permitted.
Note 3 - In the case of unbalanced three-phase equipment,these values
configurations have been discussed. It has been shown that an apply to each phase.
18-pulse subtractor, suitable for powering three S M P S loads
(of 40% THD each) can yield 7.9% THD under balanced load
condition. Analysis and design have been presented for equal
and unequal loading conditions. A design example has been
217