DC To AC Conversion (Inverter)

DC to AC Conversion
(INVERTER)
General concept
Basic principles/concepts
Single-phase inverter
Square wave
Notching
PWM
Harmonics
Modulation
Three-phase inverter
Power Electronics and

Drives: Dr. Zainal Salam,
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
DC to AC Converter
(Inverter)
DEFINITION: Converts DC to AC power
by switching the DC input voltage (or
current) in a pre-determined sequence so as
to generate AC voltage (or current) output.
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS:
UPS, Industrial drives, Traction, HVDC
General block diagram

IDC
Iac
Vac
VDC

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
Types of inverter
Voltage Source Inverter (VSI)
Current Source Inverter (CSI)
"DC LINK"
Iac
+
VDC
Load Voltage
L
+
VDC
IDC
ILOAD
Load Current

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
Voltage source inverter (VSI)

with variable DC link
DC LINK
+
Vs
CHOPPER
(Variable DC output)
+
Vin
-
+
Vo
-
INVERTER
(Switch are turned ON/OFF
with square-wave patterns)
DC link voltage is varied by a DC-to DC converter

or controlled rectifier.
Generate square wave output voltage.
Output voltage amplitude is varied as DC link is

varied.
Frequency of output voltage is varied by changing

the frequency of the square wave pulses.
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
Variable DC link inverter (2)

Advantages:
simple waveform generation
Reliable
Disadvantages:
Extra conversion stage
Poor harmonics
Vdc2
Higher input voltage

Higher frequency
Vdc1
Lower input voltage

Lower frequency
T1
T2

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
VSI with fixed DC link

INVERTER
+
Vin
+
Vo
(fixed)
Switch turned ON and OFF

with PWM pattern
DC voltage is held constant.

Output voltage amplitude and frequency
are varied simultaneously using PWM
technique.
Good harmonic control, but at the expense
of complex waveform generation
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
Current Source Inverter (CSI)

L
IDC
IO
+
Vin
RL
Io
CHOPPER
CSI
Iac
-Iac
t
Current waveform
Input (DC) current is choppedto obtain

AC output current.
Need large L.
Less popular compared to VSI
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
Power flow consideration

I dc
Io
Vdc
Vo
Vo
i, v
io
t
(4)
(1)
(2)
(3)
Assume load is drawing lagging Power

Factor.:
(+) io and (+) vo:
(+) power flow (1)
(-) io and (-) vo:
(+) power flow (3)
(+) io and (-) vo:
(-) power flow (2)
(-) io and (+) vo:
(-) power flow (4)
Positive power flow indicates power
transfer from input (Vdc.Idc) to load.
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
4-quadrant operation
Negative power flow
indicates that the
power is fed back
from load to source.
io
(2)
RECTIFIER
(1)
INVERTER
vo
(3)
INVERTER
Hence, inverter must

have 4 quadrant
capability to cater
for all possible load
types.
(4)
RECTIFIER
4-QUADRANT
OPERATION
T1
Practically, this can

be achieved by
placing an antiparallel diode across
each switching
device.
LOAD
T2
ANTI-PARELELL
DIODES

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
Operation of simple squarewave inverter (1)

To illustrate the concept of AC waveform
generation
SQUARE-WAVE
INVERTERS
T3
T1
D1
D3
+ VO -
VDC
IO
T4
T2
D2
S1
D4
S3
EQUAVALENT
CIRCUIT
S4
S2

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
10
Operation of simple squarewave inverter (2)

S1,S2 ON; S3,S4 OFF
for t1 < t < t2

vO
S1
VDC
VDC
S3
+ vO
t1
S4
t2
S2
S3,S4 ON ; S1,S2 OFF
for t2 < t < t3

vO
S1
VDC
S3
t2
+ vO
S4
t3
S2
-VDC

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
11
Waveforms and harmonics of

square-wave inverter
INVERTER
OUTPUT
Vdc
-Vdc
FUNDAMENTAL
V1
4VDC
V1
3
3RD HARMONIC
5RD HARMONIC
V1
5

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
12
Filtering (1)
Output of the inverter is chopped AC
voltage with zero DC component.In some
applications such as UPS, high purity sine
wave output is required.
An LC section low-pass filter is normally
fitted at the inverter output to reduce the
high frequency harmonics.
In some applications such as AC motor
drive, filtering is not required.
(LOW PASS) FILTER
L
+
vO 1
+
C
vO 2
vO 1
LOAD
vO 2

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
13
Notes on low-pass filters
In square wave inverters, maximum output voltage

is achievable. However there in NO control in
harmonics and output voltage magnitude.
The harmonics are always at three, five, seven etc

times the fundamental frequency.
Hence the cut-off frequency of the low pass filter is

somewhat fixed. The filter size is dictated by the
VA ratings of the inverter.
To reduce filter size, the PWM switching scheme

can be utilised.
In this technique, the harmonics are pushed to

higher frequencies. Thus the cut-off frequency of
the filter is increased. Hence the filter components
(I.e. L and C) sizes are reduced.
The trade off for this flexibility is complexity in

the switching waveforms.
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
14
Notchingof square wave

Notched Square Wave
Vdc
Vdc
Fundamental Component
Vdc
Vdc
Notching results in controllable output

voltage magnitude (compare Figures
above).
Limited degree of harmonics control is
possible
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
15
Pulse-width modulation
(PWM)
A better square wave notching is shown
below - this is known as PWM technique.
Both amplitude and frequency can be
controlled independently. Very flexible.
pwm waveform
desired
sinusoid
SINUSOIDAL PULSE-WITDH MODULATED

APPROXIMATION TO SINE WAVE

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
16
PWM- output voltage and

frequency control

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
17
Output voltage harmonics

Why need to consider harmonics?
Waveform quality must match TNB supply.
Power Quality issue.
In some applications, harmonics cause
degradation of equipment. Equipment need to
be de-rated.
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD):
THD =
(Vn, RMS )
n=2
V1, RMS
(VRMS )2 (V1,RMS )2
n =2
V1, RMS
where n is the harmonics number.

Current THD can be obtained by replacing
the harmonic voltage with harmonic current :
Vn
In =
Zn
Z n is the impedance at harmonic frequency.
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
18
Fourier Series
Study of harmonics requires understanding
of wave shapes. Fourier Series is a tool to
analyse wave shapes.
Fourier Series
1 2
ao = f (v)d
0
1 2
an = f (v) cos(n )d
0
1 2
bn = f (v) sin (n )d
0
Inverse Fourier
1
f (v) = ao + (an cos n + bn sin n )
2
n =1
where = t
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
19
Harmonics of square-wave (1)

Vdc
=t
-Vdc
1
ao = Vdc d + Vdc d = 0
0
Vdc
an =
cos(n )d cos(n )d = 0
0
Vdc
bn =
sin (n )d sin (n )d
0

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
20
Harmonics of square wave (2)

Solving,
Vdc
2
cos(n ) 0 + cos(n )
n
V
= dc [(cos 0 cos n ) + (cos 2n cos n )]
n
V
= dc [(1 cos n ) + (1 cos n )]
n
2V
= dc [(1 cos n )]
n
bn =
when n is even, cos n = 1

bn= 0
when n is odd, cos n = 1
4V
bn= dc
n

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
21
Spectra of square wave

Normalised
Fundamental
1st
3rd (0.33)
5th (0.2)
7th (0.14)
9th (0.11)
11th (0.09)
1
11
Spectra (harmonics) characteristics:

Harmonic decreases as n increases. It decreases
with a factor of (1/n).
Even harmonics are absent
Nearest harmonics is the 3rd. If fundamental is
50Hz, then nearest harmonic is 150Hz.
Due to the small separation between the
fundamental an harmonics, output low-pass
filter design can be quite difficult.
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
22
Quasi-square wave (QSW)

Vdc
-Vdc
Note that an = 0.
Due to half - wave symmetry,
1
2Vdc

bn = 2 Vdc sin (n )d =
cos n

n
2V
= dc [cos(n ) cos n( )]
n
Expanding,
cos n( ) = cos(n n )
= cos n cos n + sin n sin n
= cos n cos n

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
23
Harmonics control
2Vdc
[cos(n ) cos n cos n ]
n
2V
= dc cos(n )[1 cos n ]
n
bn =
If n is even, bn = 0,
If n is odd, bn =
4Vdc
cos(n )
n
In particular, amplitude of the fundamental is :

4Vdc
cos( )
b1 =
The fundamental , b1 , is controlled by varying

Harmonics can also be controlled by adjusting ,
For example if = 30o , then b3 = 0, or the third
harmonic is eliminated from the waveform. In
general, harmonic n will be eliminated if :
90o
=
n
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
24
Half-bridge inverter (1)

S1 ON
Vdc S2 OFF
Vdc
S1
VC1
-
V +
o
G
+
VC2
-
RL
S2
Vdc
2
S1 OFF
S2 ON
Also known as the inverter leg.

Basic building block for full bridge, three
phase and higher order inverters.
G is the centre point.
Both capacitors have the same value.
Thus the DC link is equally spiltinto
two.
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
25
Half-bridge inverter (2)

The top and bottom switch has to be
complementary, i.e. If the top switch is
closed (on), the bottom must be off, and
vice-versa.
In practical, a dead time as shown below is
required to avoid shoot-through faults.
S1
S1
signal
(gate)
Ishort
G
Vdc
RL
S2
signal
(gate)
S2
"Shoot through fault" .

Ishort is very large
td
td
"Dead time' = td

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
26
Single-phase, full-bridge (1)

Full bridge (single phase) is built from two
half-bridge leg.
The switching in the second leg is delayed
by 180 degrees from the first leg.
LEG R
VRG
Vdc
2
LEG R'
+
Vdc
2
S1
Vdc
S3
+ Vo -
R'
VR 'G
Vdc
2
Vdc
2
+
Vdc
2
Vdc
2
Vo
Vdc
S4
S2
Vo = VRG VR 'G
G is " virtual groumd"
Vdc

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
27
Each leg (Red, Yellow, Blue) is delayed by
120 degrees.
A three-phase inverter with star connected
load is shown below
+Vdc
+
Vdc/2
G
S1
S3
+
Vdc/2
S5
iR
iY
S4
B
iB
S6
ia
ZR
S2
ib
ZY
ZB

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
28
Square-wave inverter
waveforms
VDC/2
VAD
t
-VDC/2
VB0
VC0
t
(a) Three phase pole switching waveforms
VDC
600
120 0
VAB
t
-VDC
(b) Line voltage waveform
2VDC/3
VDC/3
VAPH
t
-VDC/3
-2VDC/3
(c) Phase voltage waveform (six-step)
Interval
Positive device(s) on
Negative devise(s) on
1
3
2,4
2
3,5
4
3
5
4,6
4
1,5
6
5
1
2,6
6
1,3
2
Quasi-square wave operation voltage waveforms

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
29
waveform relationship
VRG, VYG, VBG are known as pole
switching waveform or inverter phase
voltage.
VRY, VRB, VYB are known as line to line
voltage or simply line voltage.
For a three-phase star-connected load, the
load phase voltage with respect to the N
(star-point) potential is known as VRN ,VYN,
VBN. It is also popularly termed as sixstep waveform

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
30
MODULATION: Pulse Width

Modulation (PWM)
Modulating Waveform
+1
M1
Carrier waveform
Vdc
2
0
t 0 t1 t2
t3 t4 t5
Vdc
2
Triangulation method (Natural sampling)

Amplitudes of the triangular wave (carrier) and
sine wave (modulating) are compared to obtain
PWM waveform. Simple analogue comparator
can be used.
Basically an analogue method. Its digital
version, known as REGULAR sampling is
widely used in industry.
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
31
PWM types
Natural (sinusoidal) sampling (as shown
on previous slide)
Problems with analogue circuitry, e.g. Drift,
sensitivity etc.
Regular sampling
simplified version of natural sampling that
results in simple digital implementation
Optimised PWM
PWM waveform are constructed based on
certain performance criteria, e.g. THD.
Harmonic elimination/minimisation PWM

PWM waveforms are constructed to eliminate
some undesirable harmonics from the output
waveform spectra.
Highly mathematical in nature
Space-vector modulation (SVM)

A simple technique based on volt-second that is
normally used with three-phase inverter motordrive
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
32
Natural/Regular sampling
MODULATION INDEX = M I :
Amplitude of the modulating waveform
MI =
Amplitude of the carrier waveform
M I is related to the fundamental (sine wave)
output voltage magnitude. If M Iis high, then
the sine wave output is high and vice versa.
If 0 < M I < 1, the linear relationship holds :
V1 = M I Vin
where V1 , Vin are fundamental of the output
voltage and input (DC) voltage, respectively.
MODULATION RATIO = M R (= p )
MR =
Frequency of the modulating waveform

Amplitude of the carrier waveform
M R is related to the " harmonic frequency". The

harmonics are normally located at :
f = kM R ( f m )
where f m is the frequency of the modulating signal
and k is an integer (1,2,3...)
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
33
Asymmetric and symmetric

regular sampling
T
+1
M1 sin mt
sample
point
3T
4
T
4
5T
4
Vdc
2
asymmetric
sampling
t0
t1
t2
t3
t
symmetric
sampling
V
dc
2
Generating of PWM waveform regular sampling

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
34
Bipolar and unipolar PWM

switching scheme
In many books, the term bipolar and
unipolar PWM switching are often
mentioned.
The difference is in the way the sinusoidal

(modulating) waveform is compared with
the triangular.
In general, unipolar switching scheme

produces better harmonics. But it is more
difficult to implement.
In this class only bipolar PWM is
considered.

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
35
Bipolar PWM switching
modulating
waveform
carrier
waveform

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
36
kth
pulse
1k
2k
Pulse width relationships
modulating
waveform
carrier
waveform
kth
pulse
1k
2k

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
37
Characterisation of PWM
pulses for bipolar switching
+ VS
2
1k
V
S
2
2k
The kth PWM pulse

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
38
Determination of switching
angles for kth PWM pulse (1)
AS2
AS1
Vmsin( )
+ Vdc
2
Ap1
Ap2
V
dc
2
Equating the volt - second,

As1 = Ap1
As 2 = Ap 2
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
39
PWM Switching angles (2)

The average voltage during each half cycle
of the PWM pulse is given as :
Vdc 1k ( 2 o 1k )
V1k =
2 o
2
Vdc 1k o
Vs
=
= 1k
2 o
2
where 1k
1k o
=
o
Similarly,
2k o
Vdc
V2 k = 2 k
; where 2 k =
2
o
The volt - second supplied by the sinusoid,
As1 =
Vm sin d = Vm [cos( k 2 o ) cos k ]
k 2 o
= 2Vm sin o sin( k o )

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
40
Switching angles (3)

Since,
sin o o for small o ,
As1 = 2 oVm sin( k o )
Similarly,
As 2 = 2 oVm sin( k + o )
The volt - seconds of the PWM waveforms,
Vdc
Vdc
Ap1 = 1k
Ap 2 = 21k
2 o ;
2 o
2
2
To derive the modulation strategy,
Ap1 = As1; Ap 2 = As 2
Hence, for the leading edge
V
1k dc 2 o = 2 oVm sin( k o )
2
Vm
1k =
sin( k o )
(Vdc 2)
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
41
PWM switching angles (4)

The voltage ratio,
Vm
MI =
is known as modulation
(Vdc 2 )
index or depth. It varies from 0 to 1.
Thus,
1k = M I sin( k o )
Using similar method, the trailing edge
can be derived :
2k = M I sin( k o )
Substituting to solve for the pulse - width,
1k o
1k =
o
1k = o [1 + M I sin( k o )]
and
2k = o [1 + M I sin( k + o )]
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
42
PWM Pulse width

Thus the switching angles of the kth pulse is :
Leading edge : k 1k
Trailing edge : k + 1k
The above equation is valid for Asymmetric
Modulation, i.e1k and 2k are different.
For Symmetric Modulation, 1k = 2k = k
k = o [1 + M I sin k ]

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
43
Example
For the PWM shown below, calculate the switching

angles for all the pulses.
carrier
waveform
2V
1.5V
2
modulating
waveform
t1
t2
t3 t4 t5 t6
t13
t15
t17
t7 t8 t9 t10 t11 t12
t14
t16 t18 2

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
44
Harmonics of bipolar PWM

Assuming the PWM waveform is half - wave
symmetry, harmonic content of each (kth)
PWM pulse can be computed as :
1T
bnk = 2 f (v) sin nd
2 k 1k Vdc
=
sin nd
2 2
k o
+
2 k 2 k Vdc
+
sin nd
2
k 1k
+ 2
2 k o Vdc
+
sin nd
+ 2
2k
Which can be reduced to :

Vdc
bnk =
{cos n( k 2 o ) cos n( k 1k )
n
+ cos n( k + 2 k ) cos n( k 1k )
+ cos n( k + 2 k ) cos n( k + 2 o )}
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
45
Harmonics of PWM
Yeilding,
2Vdc
[cos n( k 1k ) cos n( k 21k )
bnk =
n
+ 2 cos n k cos n 2 o ]
This equation cannot be simplified
productively.The Fourier coefficent for the
PWM waveform isthe sum of bnk for the p
pulses over one period, i.e. :
bn =
bnk
k =1
The slide on the next page shows the

computation of this equation.

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
46
PWM Spectra
M = 0.2
Amplitude
M = 0.4
1.0
M = 0.6
0.8
0.6
M = 0.8
0.4
Depth of
Modulation
0.2
M = 1.0
0
p
2p
3p
4p
Fundamental
NORMALISED HARMONIC AMPLITUDES FOR
SINUSOIDAL PULSE-WITDH MODULATION

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
47
PWM spectra observations
The amplitude of the fundamental decreases or

increases linearly in proportion to the depth of
modulation (modulation index). The relation ship is
given as: V1= MIVin
The harmonics appear in clusters with main

components at frequencies of :
f = kp (fm);
k=1,2,3....
where fm is the frequency of the modulation (sine)
waveform. This also equal to the multiple of the
carrier frequencies. There also exist side-bands
around the main harmonic frequencies.
The amplitude of the harmonic changes with MI. Its

incidence (location on spectra) is not.
When p>10, or so, the harmonics can be normalised

as shown in the Figure. For lower values of p, the
side-bands clusters overlap, and the normalised
results no longer apply.
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
48
Three-phase harmonics:
Effect of odd triplens
For three-phase inverters, there is
significant advantage if p is chosen to be:
odd and multiple of three (triplens) (e.g.
3,9,15,21, 27..)
the waveform and harmonics and shown on the
next two slides. Notice the difference?
By observing the waveform, it can be seen

that with odd p, the line voltage shape
looks more sinusoidal.
The even harmonics are all absent in the
phase voltage (pole switching waveform).
This is due to the p chosen to be odd.

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
49
Spectra observations
Note the absence of harmonics no. 21, 63
in the inverter line voltage. This is due to p
which is multiple of three.
In overall, the spectra of the line voltage is
more clean. This implies that the THD is
less and the line voltage is more sinusoidal.
It is important to recall that it is the line
voltage that is of the most interest.
Also can be noted from the spectra that the
phase voltage amplitude is 0.8
(normalised). This is because the
modulation index is 0.8. The line voltage
amplitude is square root three of phase
voltage due to the three-phase relationship.
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
50
Waveform: effect of triplens
Vdc
2
VRG
Vdc
2
Vdc
2
VYG
Vdc
2
Vdc
VRY
Vdc
p = 8, M = 0.6
Vdc
2
V RG
Vdc
2
Vdc
2
VYG
Vdc
2
Vdc
VRY
Vdc
p = 9, M = 0.6
ILLUSTRATION OF BENEFITS OF USING A FREQUENCY RATIO
THAT IS A MULTIPLE OF THREE IN A THREE PHASE INVERTER

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
51
Harmonics: effect of
triplens
Amplitude
1.8
0.8 3 (Line to line voltage)
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
B
0.4
19
37
23
41
43
47
59
61
65
67
83
79
85
89
0.2
0
21
19
63
23
37
39
41
43
45
47 57
59
61
65
81
79
67
69 77
83
85
87
89
91 Harmonic Order
Fundamental
COMPARISON OF INVERTER PHASE VOLTAGE (A) & INVERTER LINE VOLTAGE
(B) HARMONIC (P=21, M=0.8)

FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
52
Comments on PWM scheme

It is desirable to push p to as large as
possible.
The main impetus for that when p is high,
then the harmonics will be at higher
frequencies because frequencies of
harmonics are related to: f = kp(fm), where
fm is the frequency of the modulating
signal.
Although the voltage THD improvement is
not significant, but the current THD will
improve greatly because the load normally
has some current filtering effect.
In any case, if a low pass filter is to be
fitted at the inverter output to improve the
voltage THD, higher harmonic frequencies
is desirable because it makes smaller filter
component.
FKE, UTM Skudai, JB
53

DC To AC Conversion (Inverter)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

DC To AC Conversion (Inverter)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DC to AC Conversion

Power Electronics and

General block diagram

Power Electronics and

Power Electronics and

Voltage source inverter (VSI)

DC link voltage is varied by a DC-to DC converter

Generate square wave output voltage.

Output voltage amplitude is varied as DC link is

Frequency of output voltage is varied by changing

Variable DC link inverter (2)

Higher input voltage

Lower input voltage

Power Electronics and

VSI with fixed DC link

Switch turned ON and OFF

DC voltage is held constant.

Current Source Inverter (CSI)

Input (DC) current is choppedto obtain

Power flow consideration

Assume load is drawing lagging Power

Hence, inverter must

Practically, this can

Power Electronics and

Operation of simple squarewave inverter (1)

Power Electronics and

Operation of simple squarewave inverter (2)

for t1 < t < t2

S3,S4 ON ; S1,S2 OFF

for t2 < t < t3

Power Electronics and

Waveforms and harmonics of

Power Electronics and

Power Electronics and

Notes on low-pass filters

In square wave inverters, maximum output voltage

The harmonics are always at three, five, seven etc

Hence the cut-off frequency of the low pass filter is

To reduce filter size, the PWM switching scheme

In this technique, the harmonics are pushed to

The trade off for this flexibility is complexity in

Notchingof square wave

Notching results in controllable output

SINUSOIDAL PULSE-WITDH MODULATED

Power Electronics and

PWM- output voltage and

Power Electronics and

Output voltage harmonics

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD):

where n is the harmonics number.

Harmonics of square-wave (1)

Power Electronics and

Harmonics of square wave (2)

when n is even, cos n = 1

Power Electronics and

Spectra of square wave

Spectra (harmonics) characteristics:

Quasi-square wave (QSW)

Power Electronics and

In particular, amplitude of the fundamental is :

The fundamental , b1 , is controlled by varying

Half-bridge inverter (1)

Also known as the inverter leg.