Analysis and design of harmonic subtracters for three phase rectifier equipment to meet harmonic compliance

In this paper, harmonic subtracter topologies are proposed for powering three phase diode rectifier front-end switched mode converters and power supplies. Both 12-pulse and 18-pulse subtracter configurations are discussed. The proposed 18-pulse subtracter, 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 a 12-pulse high frequency harmonic subtracter, which results in smaller size and weight. A design example is included, simulation and experimental results are presented on a 10 kVA, 208 V, system.