A Novel Polygon Based 18-Pulse AC–DC Converter for Vector Controlled Induction Motor Drives

<para xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> This paper presents a novel configuration of an autotransformer based 18-pulse ac–dc converter for improving the power quality at the point of common coupling (PCC) in variable frequency induction motor drives (VFIMDs). The polygon based connection of autotransformer for achieving 18-pulse rectification is utilized to result in reduction in rating of the magnetics. The design of the autotransformer is carried out for an 18-pulse ac–dc converter feeding a vector controlled induction motor drive (VCIMD). Moreover, the autotransformer design is modified for making it suitable for retrofit applications, where presently a 6-pulse diode bridge rectifier is used. The effect of load variation on VCIMD is also studied and the performance of the proposed 18-pulse ac–dc converter is compared in terms of different power quality indices on both ac as well as dc side with other ac–dc converters. A laboratory prototype of the proposed autotransformer based 18-pulse ac–dc converter feeding a 10-hp induction motor drive is developed to verify the design and simulated results. </para>