Ratings analysis of active power filters

This paper provides an analytical basis for determining the semiconductor ratings of an active power filter (APF) depending on the type of distorting load. The analysis is performed for series and shunt APFs in combination with six- and twelve-pulse rectifier loads. It is shown that a shunt APF has approximately half the rating of a series APF, although the two are not interchangeable. It is also shown that an APF used in conjunction with a six-pulse rectifier has approximately double the rating of that used with a twelve-pulse rectifier.