Ten-Switch Unified Power Quality Conditioning System

Abstract

Abstract:
This paper proposes a new topological configuration for a unified power quality conditioner (UPQC). Generally, the power structure of the three-phase three-wire UPQC consists of two voltage source inverters (VSI) by using 12 switches, connected in six for shunt and six for series arrangement with the grid. For this configuration, six of the series inverter switches will be underutilized most of the time. To improve the semiconductor utilization and consequently to reduce switching losses, this paper proposes a new reduced switch topology for the UPQC. The proposed topology is realized using only ten switches and retains all the performance merits of the 12-switch UPQC while minimizing its underutilization without increasing the switch VA rating. The paper provides a detailed analytical study and evaluation by comparing the proposed topology with the twelve- and nine-switch-based UPQC system configurations.