Thesis (DPhil (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Karoo Array Telescope (KAT) will be used by South Africa in its bid to host the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA). As the SKA will have orders of magnitude greater sensitivity than existing radio telescopes, it will also be concomitantly more sensitive to radio frequency interference (RFI). The influence of RFI on a differential mode (DM) KAT conductive system is an unavoidable phenomenon. In this context, the conductive or galvanic system can, in its most basic form, consist of a source, a load, and connecting conductors. It can also, in the case of the KAT-7 seven-dish interferometer, consist of each telescope, its functional cabling, and the main correlator connecting the telescopes together. However, additional connections between the system and the environment exist. These might be an intentional connection made to the earthing layout, or unintentional connections due to parasitic capacitances and inductive connections. As a result of this, additional conductive systems are created which carry common mode (CM) currents. Interference present in such CM paths enters the DM system through the transfer impedance (Zt) between them. To reduce or eliminate this interference in the DM system, Zt has to be minimised. The use of an earthed parallel conductor (EPC as commonly referred to) in the form of a cable tray is considered to be one of the principal methods to reduce Zt. The properties of cable trays as EPCs at wavelengths which are greater than the tray length are well documented. One main focus in this dissertation is on cable tray mid-span and end connections. They are not well described in the literature over the wide range of frequencies that is expected for KAT developments. The influence of the most common connections on the measured and computed Zt of the cable tray is determined. Computer Simulation Technology’s Microwave Studio (CST MWS) is employed to validate the measured results and also to enable visualisation of the fields and currents. Recommendations for the best connection to use for any cable tray installation is given. The overall shielding ability of optimally-connected cable trays has been evaluated using a physical and computational model. In both cases the induced voltage on a victim conductor, and far-field gain functions for varying angles of incidence onto the model, are determined. The results also show that for certain scenarios, most of the coupling to the victim conductor, takes place inside the end enclosure and not the cable tray. In general, properly-connected cable trays do provide protection to their enclosed conductors, even at frequencies were the wavelength is much shorter than the width of the tray. The second main focus arises from an on-site radio frequency (RF) current audit undertaken on two of the seven KAT-7 telescopes. Shielding measures, such as interface barriers at the floor and roof of the lower telescope pedestal, are studied. The investigation is facilitated by the development of an accurate physical and computational scale model of the dish. Direct current injection and plane wave illumination methods are used to excite the system. The measured CM current distributions are compared and comments made regarding the validity of the measurement procedure. The CM currents, measured around the outside of the lower pedestal show higher levels when a direct current path to ground is established, as opposed to when no clear path exists. This finding suggests at least two methods of preventing CM interference entering or leaving the pedestal: harden the floor and roof barriers, or manage current paths outside the telescope. Related to this, CM currents measured either side of the telescope interface barriers, are used to determine the level of shielding the interface provides. When compared to the common definition of shielding effectiveness, the current measurement provides more conservative shielding estimates. The research in this dissertation has influenced, and will continue to influence, the layout of galvanic systems for the present KAT-7 structures and the anticipated developments to MeerKAT. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Karoo Array Telescop (KAT) sal gebruik word deur Suid-Afrika in sy poging om die bod te kry om die internasionale Square Kilometre Array (SKA) te huisves. Aangesien die SKA ordes meer sensitief sal wees as bestaande radioteleskope, sal dit terselfdertyd ook meer sensitief wees vir radio frekwensie steurnisse. Die invloed van radio frekwensie steurnisse op die differentiëlemodus KAT geleidende netwerk is iets onvermydeliks. Binne hierdie konteks kan die geleidende netwerk, in sy mees basiese vorm, bestaan uit ʼn bron, ʼn las, en verbindingsgeleiers. Dit kan ook, in die geval van die KAT-7 sewe-teleskoop interferometer, bestaan uit elke teleskoop, sy funksionele bekabeling, en die korrelator wat die verbinding is tussen al die teleskope. Daar is egter, addisionele verbindings tussen die netwerk en die onmiddellike omgewing rondom dit. Hierdie verbindings kan opsetlik gemaak word deur byvoorbeeld, verbinding van die netwerk se aardkabel aan die res van die beaarding, of onopsetlik deur parasitiese kapasitansies en induktiewe verbindings. As gevolg hiervan word addisionele geledende netwerke geskep waarin gemenemodus strome kan vloei. Indien daar wel strome in die gemenemodus netwerk vloei, word dit oorgedra aan die differentiëlemodus netwerk deur ʼn oordragimpedansie (Zt) wat teenwoordig is tussen die twee. Om dus die steurnisse in die differentiëlemodus netwerk te verminder of te elimineer, moet Zt tot ʼn minimum beperk word. Die gebruik van ʼn geaarde parallelle geleier in die vorm van ʼn kabelkanaal, word beskou as een van die mees doeltreffendste metodes om Zt te verminder. Die eienskappe van kabelkanale as geaarde parallelle geleiers by frekwensies waar die golflengtes langer is as die van die kabelkanaal, is volledig gedokumenteer. Een van die belangrikste fokuspunte in hierdie verhandeling is rakende die kabelkanale se middel en eindpuntverbindings. Hulle word nie goed beskryf in die beskikbare literatuur nie, en weliswaar vir wyeband doeleindes wat vir KAT ontwikkelinge verwag word. Die invloed van die mees algemeenste kabelkanaal verbindings op gemete en berekende Zt word bepaal. Computer Simulation Technology’s Microwave Studio (CST MWS) word eerstens, gebruik om die akkuraatheid van die gemete resultate te bewys en tweedens, deur visualisering van E-veld en gemenemodus oppervlak strome. Aanbevelings vir die beste verbindings vir enige kabelkanaal opstelling word gegee. Die algemene afskerminsvermoeë van ʼn idiaal-verbinde kabelkanaal word bepaal deur middel van metings en simulasies. In beide gevalle word die geïnduseerde spanning op ʼn slagoffer kabel, en die verveld aanwins funksie bepaal vir verskillende invalshoeke op die model. Die resultate toon verder dat vir spesifieke gevalle wat beskou word, die meeste koppeling binne die kabinet aan die einde van die kabelkanaal plaasvind. Oor die algemeen verskaf goed verbinde kabelkanale wel ʼn sekere vlak van beskerming aan kabels binne die kabelkanaal, selfs by frekwensies waar die golflengte baie korter is as die breedte van die kabelkanaal. Die tweede belangrike fokuspunt spruit voort uit ʼn radio frekwensie stroomoudit, wat twee van die KAT-7 teleskope evalueer het. Afskermingsmatreëls soos die kabelhindernisse op die vloer en dak van die onderste teleskoop voetstuk, word bestudeer. Tesame met die metings op die werklike teleskoop wat geneem is, word ʼn akkurate fisiese en simulasie skaalmodel geskep om die metings beter te analiseer. Direkte stroominspuitings metode en platvlakgolf beligting word gebruik om gemenemodus strome op die teleskoop se struktuur te induseer. Die gemenemodus stroomverspreiding vir beide tegnieke word vergelyk in ʼn poging om kommentaar te lewer rakende die geldigheid van die meettegniek. Die gemenemodus strome wat aan die buitekant van die teleskoop voetstuk gemeet word, is hoër wanneer ʼn direkte stroompad na grond op die voetstuk geskep word in vergelyking met ʼn ongedefinieerde pad. Hierdie verskynsel dui daarop dat ten minste twee metodes bestaan om die ongevraagde gemenemodus strome te verhoed om aan die binnekant van die teleskoop voetstuk te vloei. Die een is die verbetering van die vloer en dak kabelhindernisse, en die ander is verbetering van die stroompad (stroompaaie) aan die buitekant van die voetstuk sodat ʼn meer direkte pad na grond geskep word. Die gemiddelde gemenemodus strome weerskante van die kabelhindernis, kan gebruik word op te bepaal hoeveel afskerming die hindernis bied. Indien die berekende waardes by verskillende frekwensies vergelyk word met die tradisionele filter doeltreffendheid (Zt), word ʼn meer konserwatiewe beraming verkry. Die navorsing in hierdie verhandeling het alreeds, maar sal ook die toekomstige uitleg van galvaniese stelsels vir KAT-7 asook die verwagte MeerKAT beïnvloed.

Nos últimos 20 anos, o inversor de frequência PWM passou a ser largamente utilizado. Dentre as razões principais de sua ampla difusão, cita-se a introdução do IGBT que, devido à sua capacidade de comutação rápida, possibilitou a redução de perdas, tamanho e custo dos conversores, ao mesmo tempo em que permitiu o uso do motor de indução em aplicações que demandam alto desempenho dinâmico. Porém, esta mesma característica que trouxe tais benefícios, contribuiu para acentuar os efeitos relacionados a fenômenos eletromagnéticos, devido à rápida transição que produz sinais em alta frequência, responsáveis por tornar os sistemas de acionamentos potenciais fontes de interferência eletromagnética. Os principais fenômenos desta natureza são a tensão de onda refletida, associada a ruídos de modo diferencial, e a corrente de modo comum. De maneira geral, a corrente de modo comum tem maior potencial de contribuição para a emissão radiada que a de modo diferencial e, em sistemas de acionamento, constitui a principal fonte de interferência eletromagnética. Esta não é resultado apenas da rápida comutação dos IGBTs, mas, também, da configuração do sistema, que propicia o surgimento das tensões de modo comum. Este trabalho visa estudar alternativas que minimizem, naturalmente, estas tensões através de sua configuração, reduzindo-se a necessidade de novos componentes, como filtros passivos ou circuitos ativos. Ressalta-se, assim, que o primeiro passo consistiu-se na compreensão do problema de geração da tensão de modo comum. Visando atingir os propósitos anteriormente mencionados, foi idealizado um inversor, composto de duas pontes chaveando em oposição, chamado de duplo-trifásico. A partir de simulações, avaliou-se seu potencial e definiu-se sua implementação, a partir de dois inversores idênticos. Testou-se o protótipo contra um terceiro módulo de mesmo tipo, em iguais condições. A comparação dos resultados indicou que a configuração proposta pode ser eficiente no controle do ruído de modo comum, obtendo-se valores de redução de 86%. Nota-se que o comportamento observado via o protótipo, permite um melhor entendimento dos fenômenos relativos à circulação da corrente de modo comum. Desta forma, à luz da pesquisa realizada, nota-se que, conceitualmente, a solução proposta se destaca das demais apresentadas na literatura pela sua exequibilidade e simplicidade. / Over the last 20 years, the PWM frequency inverter has become widely used. Among the main reasons for its widespread distribution is the introduction of the IGBT, due to its ability for fast switching allowing the reduction of losses, size and cost of the converters, and the use of the induction motor in applications that demand high dynamic performance. However, this same characteristic that brought such benefits, stressed the effects related to electromagnetic phenomena, due to the fast transition that produces high frequency signals, responsible for turning drive systems, potential sources of electromagnetic interference. The main phenomena of this nature are the reflected wave overvoltage, associated with differential mode noise, and the common mode current. In general, the common mode current has greater potential of contribution to the emission of radiated interference than the differential mode current and is the main source of electromagnetic interference in drive systems. The common mode current is not just the result of the fast transitions of IGBTs, but also of the system configuration, which produces common mode voltages. This work aims to study alternatives that minimize, naturally, those voltages through its configuration, reducing the need for additional components, such as passive filters or active circuits. It is pointed, that the first step consisted in the understanding of the problem of the common mode voltage generation. In order to address this objective, an inverter composed of two bridges, switching in opposition, called double-three-phase was designed. Its potential for noise mitigation, as well, its implementation, with two identical inverters was evaluated by simulations. The prototype was tested against a third module of the same type, under the same conditions. The comparison of the results indicated that the proposed configuration can be efficient in the common mode noise control, with 86% reduction. The behavior observed through the prototype allows a better understanding of the phenomena involving common mode current. Thus, in the light of the research, we note that, conceptually, the proposed solution stands out for its practicality and simplicity, from the others presented in the literature.

Nos últimos 20 anos, o inversor de frequência PWM passou a ser largamente utilizado. Dentre as razões principais de sua ampla difusão, cita-se a introdução do IGBT que, devido à sua capacidade de comutação rápida, possibilitou a redução de perdas, tamanho e custo dos conversores, ao mesmo tempo em que permitiu o uso do motor de indução em aplicações que demandam alto desempenho dinâmico. Porém, esta mesma característica que trouxe tais benefícios, contribuiu para acentuar os efeitos relacionados a fenômenos eletromagnéticos, devido à rápida transição que produz sinais em alta frequência, responsáveis por tornar os sistemas de acionamentos potenciais fontes de interferência eletromagnética. Os principais fenômenos desta natureza são a tensão de onda refletida, associada a ruídos de modo diferencial, e a corrente de modo comum. De maneira geral, a corrente de modo comum tem maior potencial de contribuição para a emissão radiada que a de modo diferencial e, em sistemas de acionamento, constitui a principal fonte de interferência eletromagnética. Esta não é resultado apenas da rápida comutação dos IGBTs, mas, também, da configuração do sistema, que propicia o surgimento das tensões de modo comum. Este trabalho visa estudar alternativas que minimizem, naturalmente, estas tensões através de sua configuração, reduzindo-se a necessidade de novos componentes, como filtros passivos ou circuitos ativos. Ressalta-se, assim, que o primeiro passo consistiu-se na compreensão do problema de geração da tensão de modo comum. Visando atingir os propósitos anteriormente mencionados, foi idealizado um inversor, composto de duas pontes chaveando em oposição, chamado de duplo-trifásico. A partir de simulações, avaliou-se seu potencial e definiu-se sua implementação, a partir de dois inversores idênticos. Testou-se o protótipo contra um terceiro módulo de mesmo tipo, em iguais condições. A comparação dos resultados indicou que a configuração proposta pode ser eficiente no controle do ruído de modo comum, obtendo-se valores de redução de 86%. Nota-se que o comportamento observado via o protótipo, permite um melhor entendimento dos fenômenos relativos à circulação da corrente de modo comum. Desta forma, à luz da pesquisa realizada, nota-se que, conceitualmente, a solução proposta se destaca das demais apresentadas na literatura pela sua exequibilidade e simplicidade. / Over the last 20 years, the PWM frequency inverter has become widely used. Among the main reasons for its widespread distribution is the introduction of the IGBT, due to its ability for fast switching allowing the reduction of losses, size and cost of the converters, and the use of the induction motor in applications that demand high dynamic performance. However, this same characteristic that brought such benefits, stressed the effects related to electromagnetic phenomena, due to the fast transition that produces high frequency signals, responsible for turning drive systems, potential sources of electromagnetic interference. The main phenomena of this nature are the reflected wave overvoltage, associated with differential mode noise, and the common mode current. In general, the common mode current has greater potential of contribution to the emission of radiated interference than the differential mode current and is the main source of electromagnetic interference in drive systems. The common mode current is not just the result of the fast transitions of IGBTs, but also of the system configuration, which produces common mode voltages. This work aims to study alternatives that minimize, naturally, those voltages through its configuration, reducing the need for additional components, such as passive filters or active circuits. It is pointed, that the first step consisted in the understanding of the problem of the common mode voltage generation. In order to address this objective, an inverter composed of two bridges, switching in opposition, called double-three-phase was designed. Its potential for noise mitigation, as well, its implementation, with two identical inverters was evaluated by simulations. The prototype was tested against a third module of the same type, under the same conditions. The comparison of the results indicated that the proposed configuration can be efficient in the common mode noise control, with 86% reduction. The behavior observed through the prototype allows a better understanding of the phenomena involving common mode current. Thus, in the light of the research, we note that, conceptually, the proposed solution stands out for its practicality and simplicity, from the others presented in the literature.

Bearing currents are not all the same. Under certain circumstances and special use cases classic bearing insulations are not sufficient anymore to prevent bearing currents due to the operation of frequency converters. Additional corrective measures have to be implemented to reduce the source of bearing currents the common mode current. The usage of nanocrystalline tape wound cores shows high effectiveness. As part of a big field study with more than 50 large drive trains in the primary industry, the damaging mechanics of bearing currents are examined under real conditions. Of exceptional high interest is the influence of disturbances which can hardly be simulated in the laboratory. Additional to the shielded motor cable parallel installed functional potential equalization cables applied multiple times have almost no effect in regard to reducing the bearing current. With an optimal installed functional potential equalization system more than 95 percent of the common mode current can flow back through the motor cable shield to the converter. The disturbance impact in the field can influence the voltage over the bearing that breakthroughs are favored but also reduced.