Single-phase to six-phase voltage converter

Abstract

This paper presents a novel circuit for converting a single-phase power supply into a stabilized six-phase voltage system. The proposed converter is based on a three-limb transformer with six secondary windings connected in a hexagonal configuration and two primary windings connected in series opposition. Each primary winding is shunted by a capacitor, forming two ferroresonant circuits that ensure voltage stabilization and precise phase shifting.
Key features of the design include:
• Simplified construction – Reduced number of windings and optimized connection scheme.
• Improved conversion quality – Stabilized output voltages and maintained phase shifts (60° between adjacent phases).
• High efficiency – Use of an amorphous alloy core minimizes losses and reduces overall size.
The converter operates by exciting ferroresonant oscillations in the primary circuits, which saturate the outer transformer limbs while keeping the middle limb (with double cross-section) unsaturated. This ensures stable magnetic fluxes (Φ₁, Φ₂, and their sum Φ₃), inducing balanced six-phase voltages in the secondary windings. By adjusting the capacitive reactance, a 120° phase shift between Φ₁ and Φ₂ is achieved, resulting in a symmetrical six-phase output.
Potential applications include:
• Household appliances (enabling three-phase motor operation from single-phase supply).
• Industrial and transportation systems (where single-phase input is preferred).
• Power electronics and automation devices requiring multi-phase voltage.
The proposed design offers a cost-effective and reliable solution for generating high-quality six-phase power from a standard single-phase source.