This question was asked inGPSC AE (Electrical) Class-2 R&B Department Paper 2025 – Series MQuestion 108 of 179 published · Gujarat Public Service CommissionOpen paper
Q226ModerateHVDC Transmission

HVDC LCCs have ______________

Answer & step-by-step solution
Correct answer: A. 1 degree of freedom
Quick explanation

A line-commutated converter is fundamentally controlled through its firing angle, giving one principal control degree of freedom per converter bridge for steady-state DC voltage/current regulation. Unlike VSC converters, an LCC cannot independently control active and reactive power.

Vd = Vd0 cosα − commutation drop

Concept & Reasoning

In a thyristor LCC, turn-on is controlled by firing delay angle α, while turn-off relies on the AC system commutation voltage. Changing α changes average DC voltage and consequently DC current/power through the link control hierarchy. Reactive power consumption is coupled to active power and firing angle, which is why the converter is described as having one main steady-state control degree of freedom.

How to Solve It in the Exam

LCC → firing angle control; VSC → more independent P/Q control.

Important Exam Point

Keep converter technology in mind before answering 'degrees of freedom'.

Quick Trick

LCC → firing angle control; VSC → more independent P/Q control.

Common Mistake

Assigning two independent P and Q controls to a thyristor LCC as if it were a VSC.

Solution diagram – HVDC LCCs have ______________
Exam tipKeep converter technology in mind before answering 'degrees of freedom'.
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