A Constant DC-Capacitor Voltage Control Based Strategy for Current Balancer in Single-Phase Three-Wire Distribution Systems

Abstract

This paper proposes a strategy based on constant dc-capacitor voltage control for a current balancer in single-phase three-wire distribution systems. The proposed control strategy involves the use of only the constant dc-capacitor voltage control block commonly used in active power conditioners for the calculation of the compensation current. No calculation block is required to obtain the reactive and unbalanced-active components. Thus, we provide the simplest possible control strategy for the current balancer. The basic principle of the proposed control method is discussed in detail and its validity, which is confirmed by a digital computer simulation using PSIM software, is shown. A prototype experimental model is constructed and tested. Experimental results demonstrate that balanced source currents with a power factor of unity are obtained on the secondary side of a pole-mounted distribution transformer while unbalanced load current conditions with a lagging power factor are retained.