Influence of the power bus design on the current symmetry in the arm branches of a rectifier-inverter converter on igbt-transistors in their parallel connection

An urgent issue is to increase the power factor of electric rolling stock. One of the ways to increase the power factor in the traction and regenerative braking modes was proposed by the scientists of IrGUPS - this is the use of a rectifier-inverter converter on IGBT with modified control algorithms. This solution allows to significantly reduce the consumption of reactive current from the contact network, increase the capacity of railway sections, increase the technical speed, increase the efficiency of the traction power supply system, and also increase the amount of electricity returned to the contact network in the regenerative braking mode. The study of the performance of this converter is of interest. The transported volumes of goods on the railway lines of the Russian Federation continue to increase. One of the key links in ensuring the specified growth rates of tonne-kilometer work is the availability of powerful traction rolling stock equipped with an appropriate traction drive. A powerful traction drive is characterized by the consumption of significant current. To ensure its flow over the arms of the converter, a parallel connection of power semiconductor devices is used. For modern converters of electric locomotives, 4 parallel branches of power switches are used in the arm. The features of the parallel operation of the arm branches affect the performance of the converter on IGBT transistors. This article proposes to consider one of these features, namely the influence of parasitic inductances on the distribution of currents in the parallel branches of the converter, depending on the connection point of the AC power bus. The study was carried out using the Matlab Simulink software package. The article discusses various options for the topology of connecting power buses and presents diagrams of the distribution of currents in the parallel branches of the arm for each connection method. An assessment was made of such parameters as the spread of the peak current of switching on the branches of the arm, the time of current equalization during the conduction period, and the difference in the magnitude of the current in specific branches. Based on the results of the study, as well as taking into account the existing dimensions for the equipment of AC electric locomotives, a conclusion was made about the most optimal option for connecting power buses.