124 ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS

Here the polarity of direct voltage is changed keeping the direction of current unchanged.
Both the converters are given the same current setting but at the converter designated as
inverter, a signal equal to current margin is subtracted from that current setting, making it a
smaller current setting. When it is desired to reverse the direction of power, the margin signal
should be transferred to the converter that becomes the inverter.
In order to reverse the voltage polarity and hence the flow of power, the shunt capacitance
of the line must be first discharged and then recharged with the opposite polarity. This process
implies a greater current at the end of the line, initially the inverter than at the end, initially
the rectifier. The difference of terminal currents, however, cannot exceed the current margin.
Hence the shortest time of voltage reversal is
∆Vd
T=C (5.19)
∆I d
where C is the line capacitance, ∆Vd is the algebraic change of direct voltage and ∆Id is the
current margin.

5.11 FREQUENCY CONTROL

In case of a.c. systems frequency can be controlled by adjusting steam input to the prime
movers. If the frequency is high, the steam input to the prime mover is decreased temporarily
and the K.E. is drawn on to supply the required electrical output. On the other hand if the
frequency is low, steam input to the prime movers in increased and the excess of mechanical
power input over electrical power output goes into increase of kinetic energy which results
into increased speed and frequency.
The frequency of the a.c. system can also be controlled if it is connected to a d.c. system
which has its power rating comparable or slightly greater than that of a.c. system. The frequency
can be controlled both at the receiving end of the system and/or the sending end of the system.
A frequency discriminator circuit is used at the terminal where the frequency is to be controlled.
Its output signal is proportional to the frequency deviation from its normal value and is used
as an error signal to advance or retard the firing of converters. If the frequency is low and if it
is an inverter circuit, the ignition of the thyristors should be advanced so that the received
power is increased. On the other hand, if it is a rectifier circuit, the ignition should be delayed
so that the power at the sending end is decreased. Hence a reversing switch is required on the
output of the discriminator. The same error signal in transmitted from the discriminator to
the distant terminal. There is no change in the error signal at the rectifying converter but at
the inverter a marginal signal is subtracted from it, so that even though the frequency is
correct, it appears low regardless of whether the frequency controlled network is importing or
exporting. In either case, the inverter advances its ignition angle in a vain bid to increase the
frequency and as a result reaches the minimum allowable extinction angle and thus determines
the direct voltage. In case of low voltage at the rectifier, limiting the line voltage the inverter
does take over the frequency control, even though there is then a small frequency error due to
the marginal signal. The frequency control is analogous to the current control already discussed.
The converter with lower voltage, controls the direct voltage of the line and the one with
higher voltage controls the frequency.