INVERTERS AND APPLICATIONS

Student Name/ID Number

Subject Electrical equipment and code:
pneumatic
Academic Year 2022 - 2023
Subject Assessor Ta Van Phuong
Assignment Title Inverters and Applications
Assessor Signature: Date:

I. INTRODUCTION TO INVERTERS

1.1 Introduction to inverters, VFD?

I.1.1 What is an inverter? VFD?
- An inverter converts the DC voltage to an AC voltage. In most cases, the input DC
voltage is usually lower while the output AC is equal to the grid supply voltage of
either 120 volts, or 240 Volts depending on the country.
- A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is a type of motor controller that drives an electric
motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to the electric motor. Other names
for a VFD are variable speed drive, adjustable speed drive, adjustable frequency drive,
AC drive, microdrive, and inverter.
I.1.2 Major parts of inverters and their functions
- Rectifier: Diode bridge rectifiers are similar to rectifiers commonly found in
power supplies, in that single-phase alternating current is converted to direct
current. However, the diode bridge used in the Inverter can also configure
additional diodes to allow conversion from three-phase AC to DC.
Diodes only allow the flow of electricity in one direction, so the diode bridge
directs the flow of electricity from Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current
(DC).
- One-way route: A DC feeder is a rig of capacitors that store rectified DC voltage.
A capacitor can store a large charge, but arranging them in a D.C. Conduit
configuration increases the capacitance.
The stored voltage will be used in the next stage when the IGBT generates power to
the motor.
- IGBT: devices are recognized for their high performance and fast switching. In the
inverter, the IGBT is switched on and off in sequence to generate pulses of different
widths from the DC feeder voltage stored in the capacitor.
By using Pulse Width Modulation or PWM, the IGBT can be switched on and off in
the same sequence as the sine wave applied on the carrier.
- AC reactor: An AC reactor is an inductor or coil. The inductor stores energy in the
magnetic field generated in the coil and resists changes in current. The current
reactor helps to reduce harmonic distortion, i.e. noise on the alternating current. In
 addition, the AC reactor will reduce the peak of the mains current, or in other
words, reduce the superimposed current on the D.C. Conduit. Reducing the
superimposition on the D.C. Conduit will allow the capacitor to run cooler and thus
last longer.
The AC reactor can act as a pulse delayer to protect the input rectifier circuit from
noise and impulses caused by switching other inductive loads on and off by circuit
breakers or magnetic starters.
There are some disadvantages to using a reactor, such as additional cost, need for
more panel space and sometimes reduced efficiency.
In rare cases, a current reactor can be used on the output side of the inverter to
compensate for low inductance of the motor, but this is usually not necessary due to
the good performance of the IGBT technology.
- DC reactor: A DC reactor limits the instantaneous rate of current change on a DC
line. This variable speed reduction will allow the actuator to detect potential
problems before failure occurs and disconnect the actuator.
The DC reactor is usually installed between the rectifier and the capacitor on
inverters of 7.5 kW and above. A DC reactor can be smaller and cheaper than an
AC reactor.
The DC reactor prevents harmonic distortion and superimposition from damaging
the capacitor, however it does not provide any surge delay protection to the
rectifier.
- Breaking resistor: Loads with high inertia and vertical loads can accelerate the
motor when it tries to slow down or stop. This engine acceleration can cause the
engine to act as a generator.
When the motor generates voltage, this voltage is returned to the D.C. route.
This excess power needs to be dealt with somehow. Resistors are used to quickly
“burn out” this excess electricity generated by this phenomenon by turning the
excess electricity into heat.
Without the resistor, each time this acceleration occurs, the actuator may trip due to
Overvoltage Error on the D.C. Route.
I.1.3 Some specific applications of inverters
- DC power source usage. Inverter designed to provide 115 V AC from the
12 V DC source provided in an automobile.
- Uninterruptible power supplies.
- Electric motor speed control.
- Power grid.
- Solar.
- Induction heating.
- HVDC power transmission.
- Electroshock weapons.
 I.1.4 …

1.2 Structure of an inverter

1.2.1 Block diagram of the inverter

1.2.2 Functions of parts in the block diagram

- Step Down Transformer: It steps down the main ac voltage to the appropriate
voltage is to be used for battery charging, it may be 12V or 24V.
- Rectifier: It converts the stepped down AC voltage into DC. It consists of PN
junction diodes. The bridge rectifier circuit is mostly used for rectification purposes.
- DC Filter: It generally uses an electrolytic polarised capacitor to filter the DC
voltage. Actually, the output of the rectifier circuit is not purely DC, there is some
AC ripple available. So to get the pure DC power to properly charge the battery we
need to use the DC filter circuit.
- Oscillator: It provides the oscillating signal to the driver. This means it creates the
pulse signals at 50Hz and fed to the driver circuit.
- Driver Circuit: It operates the SCR or MOSFETs of the switching amplifier circuit
to convert the DC power into a high-frequency AC signal.
 - Switching Amplifier Circuit: It converts the DC power into high-frequency AC
power. It sends the DC power to the center-tapped transformer in such a way that, it
experiences Ac power is applied.
- AC Filter: It filters the output of the step-up transformer. The step-up AC voltage
produced by the step-up transformer is not pure, so it cannot be used for the load as
it can cause damage to the load. So we need to use an AC filter circuit to filter the
AC voltage produced by the inverter.
- Transfer or Changeover Switch: When the main power supply is available the
changeover switch keeps connected the load with the main power supply and at the
same time battery also charging. When the main power supply falls the changeover
switch disconnects the load from the main power supply and connects it to the
inverter output.
1.2.3 Terminology: Power Circuit, Control circuit, OP, BOP, AOP, terminals?
1.2.4 …

1.3 Methods used to set up command and setpoint for the inverter.
Set up command and setpoint from BOP, terminals, networks….
…

II. APPLICATIONS
II.1Introduction to a specific inverter
2.1.1 Describe the power input and output circuits
2.1.2 Functions of BOP
2.1.3 Functions of digital and analogue inputs and outputs
2.1.4 …
II.2Set up command and reference to operate the inverter from BOP
2.2.1 Power and control circuit connection
2.2.2 Set up parameters to control the inverter
2.2.3 …

II.3Set up command and reference to operate the inverter from Terminals

2.3.1 Power and control circuit connection
2.3.2 Set up parameters to control the inverter

II.4Types of the feedback signal of the inverter

2.4.1 The function of digital feedback signals?
2.4.2 Set up parameters to get desired feedback signal from digital outputs
2.4.3 The function of analogue feedback signals?
2.4.4 Set up parameters to get desired feedback signal from analogue outputs
2.4.5 …

II.5PID controller in the inverters

 2.5.1 Introduction to the PID controller in the inverter
2.5.2 Applications of the PID controller in the inverter
2.5.3 Connection diagram for a specific application
2.5.4 Set up parameters to use the PID controller for the application

II.6Control the inverter using PLCs

2.6.1 Draw the connection diagram between PLC and inverters
2.6.2 Program for PLCs control and monitor the inverter
2.6.3 …

II.7Set up command and reference to operate the inverter from the industrial network
( Modbus, Profibus, Profinet networks…)
2.6.1 Power and control circuit connection
2.6.2 Set up parameters to control the inverter via the industrial networks
2.6.3 …
Add links to download catalogues or manuals of inverters