SechsPulsKonfigurationen

SechsPulsKonfi..., short for Sechs-Puls-Konfiguration, is a term used in electrical engineering to describe a six-pulse configuration in power-electronic converters. It denotes a three-phase bridge topology that employs six switching elements to convert alternating current to direct current or to invert DC back to AC. The configuration is commonly found in diode or thyristor bridges, and can be implemented with modern IGBTs or similar controlled devices.

In a typical SechsPulsKonfi..., three-phase voltages are rectified or inverted through a symmetrical arrangement of six devices. Each conduction interval contributes one pulse to the output waveform, resulting in six pulsations per mains cycle. On the DC side, this produces a ripple frequency equal to six times the AC line frequency. On the AC side, the six-pulse operation generates characteristic harmonic content that requires consideration in power quality design.

Variants include uncontrolled six-pulse rectifiers (diode bridges), controlled six-pulse rectifiers (thyristor or transistor bridges), and mixed configurations where part of the devices are rectifying and part controlling. The topology is often line-commutated and does not rely on pulse-width modulation for control, distinguishing it from higher-pulse-count converters.

Applications for SechsPulsKonfi... include high-power DC links, such as HVDC transmission, traction drives, and large industrial drives, where robustness and simplicity are valued. Limitations involve harmonic distortion and relatively high input current ripple, which lead to the use of filtering, reactor banks, or later-stage configurations with higher pulse numbers to improve power quality and reduce commutation problems.