Flicker Simulation on Different Waveforms

Flicker Simulation with Simulated Voltage Waveforms

In feasibility studies or in the concept phase simulation is the only possibility to asses and optimize different solutions with respect to flicker performance. For basic analysis usually no complete system simulation is needed.

Example: Phase Control

File: example_phase_control.m

In this example the soft switching behavior of a load (1 kW) using phase control and its influence on flicker reduction is investigated.
The results confirm a significant flicker reduction. Using a linear ramp of approx. 1 s, Pst can be reduced by a factor of 5.

Note that the use of phase control generates harmonic currents which might violate IEC 61000-3-2 and should be filtered accordingly.

Flicker Simulation using Real Measurements

A good prediction of flicker can be attained by feeding measured data from real hardware (functional prototypes, evaluation boards, prototypes...) or from system simulation.

In principle, the supply voltage could be recorded using e.g. a digital oscilloscope. This means that a power source with a reference impedance and defined open circuit voltage according the standard must be available (see Flicker In A Nutshell).

The simpler approach is the recording of the switching signals and calculation of the resulting supply voltages.

Example: Heater Control

File: example_heater.m

In this example a system is investigated which controls 4 heater elements with an overall power of 4.5 kW. The control signals for the different heater elements were recorded using a digital scope and stored as .mat files.
The simulated value of Pst is 1.1, which means the system would not pass.