This paper proposes a new control method suitable for active power filters equipped with a small
dc capacitor. The proposed method can achieve not only suppressing the dc capacitor voltage
fluctuation in transient states but also compensating all harmonic components in steady states.
The proposed method employs a harmonic detection method based on the 7-step compensator
and a repetitive controller with a comprehensive harmonic detection method. The experimental
results using the active power filter with a small dc capacitor of 300-µF have confirmed that the
proposed method has the capability to compensate non-characteristic harmonics produced by a
15-kW diode rectifier in steady states without any voltage fluctuations in transient states.