SIMULATION-DRIVEN COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF POWER ELECTRONIC CONVERTERS: ANALYZING DIODE, THYRISTOR, AND IGBT-BASED PWM TOPOLOGIES ACROSS DIVERSE LOAD CONDITIONS USING HARMONIC, RIPPLE

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of three distinct power electronic converter topologies—full-wave diode rectifier, thyristor-controlled rectifier, and IGBT-based converter with PWM control—when operating under different load conditions. The primary objective was to evaluate and quantify the performance disparities between these converters when supplying resistive, inductive, and capacitive loads. Using a three-phase sinusoidal source (50 Hz, 100 V amplitude), each converter's response was simulated through numerical methods. Performance metrics such as ripple factor, harmonic content, and output stability were systematically assessed through time-domain waveform analysis, FFT spectral evaluation, statistical distributions, and comparison charts. Results demonstrate that while diode rectifiers offer simplicity and thyristor-controlled rectifiers provide basic control capabilities, the IGBT-based converter consistently outperformed the others across all load types, exhibiting the lowest ripple factors and harmonic distortion. For resistive loads, the IGBT converter produced stable output voltage with minimal fluctuations. With inductive loads, it provided smooth current transitions, effectively mitigating the integration effects. For capacitive loads, it demonstrated superior voltage stability with the narrowest statistical distribution. The frequency-domain analysis further confirmed the IGBT converter's advantage, showing significantly reduced harmonic components compared to the other topologies. This research provides valuable insights for power electronic system designers, particularly for variable frequency drive applications where power quality and load stability are paramount. The findings conclusively establish that despite higher complexity, IGBT-based converters represent the optimal choice for modern industrial applications requiring precise power management and high-quality conversion.