CHAPTER -1

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Over View of Project

In the past, single-phase to three-phase conversion systems were made possible by the
connection of passive elements (capacitors and reactors) with autotransformer
converters. Such kind of system presents well-known disadvantages and limitations.
In those days, power electronics with silicon power diodes and thyristors was just
emerging. As described in, the so-called power electronics, with gas tube and glassbulb electronics, was known as industrial electronics, and the power electronics with
silicon-controlled rectifiers began emerging in the market from the early 1960s. Since
the beginning of the solid state power electronics, the semiconductor devices were the
major technology used to drive the power processors. Looking at the semiconductor
devices Used in the former controlled rectifiers and comparing them with the new
technologies, it makes possible to figure out the astonishing development. Beyond the
improvement related to power switches, it was also identified a great activity in terms
of the circuit topology innovations in the field of three-phase to three-phase, singlephase to single-phase, and three-phase to single-phase conversion systems.
In the power distribution systems, the single-phase grid over three phase grid is

An alternative for rural or remote areas, due to its lower cost feature,

especially when compared with the three-phase solution.

In huge countries like Brazil, the single-phase grid is quite common due to the
large area to be covered.
On the other hand, a load connected in a three-phase arrangement presents
some advantages when compared to single phase loads.
This is especially true in three-phase motor systems with variable-speed drives
due to their constant torque characteristic, in this scenario
There is a need for single-phase to three-phase power conversion systems. The
direct solutions for the single-phase to three-phase power converters are solution for
single-phase to three-phase power conversion, in which all variables (e.g., input

power factor and dc-link voltage) at inputoutput converter sides can be controlled. In
general terms, a single-phase to three-phase power conversion presents an inherent
asymmetry, i.e., constant power at the output-converter side (three-phase load) and
pulsating power at the input-converter side (single-phase grid). By using full bridge
diode rectifiers we can eliminate the asymmetry phenomenon the dc-link capacitors,
as well as the power switches of the rectifier and inverter operate with different
voltage and current ratings.

1.1 Introduction to Distribution System

The purpose of the distribution system is to distribute the electricity to
each customer's residence, business, or industrial plant. It is primarily
composed of the distribution substation and distribution feeders, but also
contains many other pieces of equipment including reclosers, sectionalizes
fuses and capacitors. Electricity is "stepped down" from a high to low
voltage by transformers located at the distribution substation. These
transformers are just the reverse of those which increased the voltage at
the generating station. There are a wide variety of three phase distribution
line types and voltages supplied by electric utilities across the country. A
very common three phase distribution line voltage is 11,000 volts or
11kV.The distribution line supplies the final step down transformer at the
customer location where the voltage is stepped down or lowered to the
service voltage of 415V for the customer's electrical system.

1.2 Types of Distribution System

1.2.1 Single Phase Distribution Lines
Most residential customers only require single phase service (rather than three phase
service). It is less costly to build single phase lines in areas that are strictly residential.
Instead of running single phase lines from the distribution substation, it is more
common to "tap" single phase lines off a three phase line. These single phase lines are
sometimes called single phase feeders.

Fig 1: Single Phase Distribution System

A single phase feeder starts with a primary tap off one of the phases of the three phase
distribution line through a line fuse or a fused cutout. The second wire required to
complete the single phase feeder circuit is tapped with a direct connection to the
distribution circuit neutral wire. The single phase feeder may be strung overhead
through a residential neighborhood, or it may be an underground circuit.

1.2.2 Three Phase Distribution Lines

Electricity leaves most distribution substations on three phase distribution lines. They
typically are run along major streets, especially in commercial and industrial areas
where there is a large need for three phase electrical service. Rather than run a
separate three phase distribution line from the substation for each street in a
commercial or industrial development, it is a common practice to "tap" off new lines
from the main line wherever needed.

Fig 2: 3- distribution system

Distribution lines can be connected as three-phase "wye" or three-phase "delta" lines.
The names describe the configuration in which the three phases are connected
together. The "Wye" connection resembles the shape of the letter "Y" and the Delta
resembles the shape of a triangle .

1.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of single-phase to three-phase

conversion
Three phase system is widely used in generation, transmission and distribution. Single
phase system is only used to operate small electrical appliances at consumer ends
where the power rating is very less. Some of the advantages of three phase system or
poly phase systems compared to single phase system is explained below
Three phase system has the following advantages as compare to single phase
system:
1. Power to weight ratio of 3- alternator is high as compare to 1- alternator.
Means for generation for same amount of Electric Power, the size of 3-
alternator is small as compare to 1- Alternator. Hence, the overall cost of
alternator is reduced for generation of same amount of power. Moreover, of
due to reduction in weight, transportation and installation alternator become
convenient and less space is required to accommodate the alternator in power
house.
2. For electric power transmission and distribution of same amount of power, the
requirement of conductor material is less in 3- system as compare to 1-
system. Hence, the 3- transmission and distribution system is economical as
compare 1- system.
3. Let us consider the power produced by single phase supply and 3-phase supply
at unity power factor. Wave form of power produce due 1-phase supply at
unity power factor is shown in figure (C) and Wave form of power produced
due to 3-phase supply is shown in figure (D) below.

4. From power wave forms shown in figure (C) and (D) above it is clear that in
3-phase system, the instantaneous power is always constant over the cycle
results in smooth and vibration free operation of machine. Whereas in 1-
system the instantaneous power is pulsating hence change over the cycle,
which leads to vibrations in machines.
5. Power to weight ratio of three phase induction motor is high as compare to
single phase induction motor. Means for same amount of Mechanical Power,
the size of three phase induction motor is small as compare to single phase
induction motor. Hence, the overall cost of induction motor is reduced.
Moreover, due to reduction in weight, transportation and installation of
induction motor become convenient and less space is required to
accommodate the Induction motor.
6. 3-phase induction motor is self-started as the magnetic flux produced by 3phase supply is rotating in nature with constant magnitude. Whereas 1-
induction motor is not self-started as the magnetic flux produced by 1- supply
is pulsating in nature. Hence, we have to make some arrangement to make the
1- induction motor self-started. Which further increase the cost of 1-
induction motor.
7. 3-phase motor is having better power factor and efficiency as compare to 1-
motor.
8. Power to weight ratio of 3-phase transformer is high as compare to 1-
transformer. Means for same amount of Electric Power, the size of 3-phase
transformer is small as compare to 1- transformer. Hence, the overall cost of
transformer is reduced. Moreover, due to reduction in weight, transportation
and installation of transformer become convenient and less space is required to
accommodate the transformer.
9. If fault occurs in any winding of 3-phase transformer, the rest of two winding
can be used in open delta to serve the 3-phase load which is not possible in 1-
transformer. This ability of 3-phase transformer further increase the reliability
of 3-phase transformer.

10. A 3-phase system can be used to feed a 1- load, whereas vice-versa is not
possible.
11. DC rectified from 3-phase supply is having the ripple factor 4% and DC
rectified from 1- supply is having the ripple factor 48.2 %. Mean DC
rectified from 3- supply contains less ripples as compare to DC rectified from
1- supply. Hence the requirement of filter is reduced for DC rectified from 3phase supply. Which reduce the overall cost of convector.
From above it clear the 3-phase system is more economical, efficient, reliable and
convenient as compare to 1- system.

1.4 Distribution grid

For power to be useful in a home or business, it comes off the transmission grid and is
stepped-down to the distribution grid. This may happen in several phases. The place
where the conversion from "transmission" to "distribution" occurs is in a power
substation. A power substation typically does two or three things:
It has transformers that step transmission voltages (in the tens or hundreds of
thousands of volts range) down to distribution voltages (typically less than 10,000
volts).

It has a "bus" that can split the distribution power off in multiple directions.

It often has circuit breakers and switches so that the substation can be
disconnected from the transmission grid or separate distribution lines can be
disconnected from the substation when necessary.

Fig 3: distribution substation

The box in the foreground is a large transformer. To its left (and out of the frame but
shown in the next shot) are the incoming power from the transmission grid and a set
of switches for the incoming power. Toward the right is a distribution bus plus three
voltage regulators.
Now the distribution bus comes into the picture.

1.4.1DistributionBus
the power goes from the transformer to the distribution bus:

Fig 4: distribution bus

In this case, the bus distributes power to two separate sets of distribution lines at two
different voltages. The smaller transformers attached to the bus are stepping the power
down to standard line voltage (usually 7,200 volts) for one set of lines, while power
leaves in the other direction at the higher voltage of the main transformer. The power
leaves this substation in two sets of three wires, each headed down the road in a
different direction. The next time you are driving down the road, you can look at the
power lines in a completely different light. In the typical scene pictured on the right,
the three wires at the top of the poles are the three wires for the 3-phase power. The
fourth wire lower on the poles is the ground wire. In some cases there will be
additional wires, typically phone or cable TV lines riding on the same poles. As
mentioned above, this particular substation produces two different voltages. The wires
at the higher voltage need to be stepped down again, which will often happen at
another substation or in small transformers somewhere down the line. For example,

you will often see a large green box (perhaps 6 feet/1.8 meters on a side) near the
entrance to a subdivision. It is performing the step-down function for the subdivision.

1.4.2RegulatorBank
you will also find regulator banks located along the line, either underground or in the
air. They regulate the voltage on the line to prevent under voltage and overvoltage
conditions.

Fig 5: regulator bank

Up toward the top are three switches that allow this regulator bank to be disconnected
for maintenance when necessary: At this point, we have typical line voltage at
something like 7,200 volts running through the neighborhood on three wires (with a
fourth ground wire lower on the pole):
1.4.3Taps
A house needs only one of the three phases, so typically you will see three wires
running down a main road, and taps for one or two of the phases running off on side
streets. Pictured below is a 3-phase to 2-phase tap, with the two phases running off to
the right:
Here is a 2-phase to 1-phase tap, with the single phase running out to the right:

fig 5: tapping ckt