POWERING VOLTAGE SOURCE CONVERTERS

摘要

This application described methods and apparatus for providing power to components of a voltage source converter (VSC). A VSC (100) has one or more switching modules (1 13), e.g. modules forming a director switch (104) of a converter arm of the VSC. A power distribution system (200) has a power distribution loop (201 ) and one or more power distribution modules (205) for providing, in use, power from the power distribution loop to the switching module(s). A set of one or more floating power supply modules (202) generate an AC current in the power distribution loop. The floating power supply module(s) (205) derive power from a voltage across one or more components of the voltage source converter and thus are not ground referenced power supplies, avoiding problems of suitable isolation. A ground referenced supply (207) may be removably connected to the power distribution loop (201 ) to provide power when the VSC is not energised.