Load characterization and performance characteristic of active filters in domestic consumer voltage distribution system

Advancement in power electronics technology and reduction in the cost of power semiconductor switching devices has enhanced use of more and more power electronics based appliances in domestic consumer voltage distribution system (DCVDS). These nonlinear loads in the DCVDS can be characterized as voltage source or current source type. The dominancy of both these types of load may vary with time. The performance of active power filter connected with the distribution system based on the total harmonic distortion (THD) of source current and load voltage depends upon whether the total load is voltage source or current source dominant, and also whether the active power filter is series or shunt type. In this paper, it has been shown that when the ratio between the load current due to the voltage source type and current source type increases, the load voltage THD improves by using series active power filter and if the ratio decreases, the load voltage THD improves by using shunt active power filter. The results are verified using simulations performed in PSCAD/EMTDC.