CHAPTER 4

DC TO AC CONVERTER
INVERTER

THREE-PHASE
INVERTER
Prepared by: Norazila Md Posdzi (PKS)
 clo
(course learning outcomes)
This chapter mainly focuses on the following course learning outcomes (CLO):

CLO Description of CLO

2 Apply knowledge of basic principle operations of power electronics
converters using a suitable circuit diagrams.
3 Handle the practical work on the power electronics converters using
appropriate equipment.
4 Perform the problem solving skills in the power electronics converters.

2
THREE-PHASE INVERTER
 Three-phase inverters are normally used
for high-power applications.

 The gating signals of single-phase

inverters should be advanced or delayed
by 120 with respect to each other in
order to obtain three-phase balanced
(fundamental) voltages.
THREE-PHASE INVERTER
 The transformer primary windings must be
isolated from each other, while the
secondary windings may be connected in
wye or delta.
 This arrangement requires three single-
phase transformer, 6 thyristors, and 6 diodes.
 If the output voltages of single-phase
inverters are not perfectly balanced in
magnitudes and phases, the three-phase
output voltages will be unbalanced.
THREE-PHASE INVERTER
 A three phase output can be obtained from configuration of 6 thyristors
and 6 diodes as shown in this figure.
 THREE-PHASE INVERTER

Two types of control signals can be applied

to the thyristors:
i. 180˚ conduction - three thyristors
conducting at any instant
ii.120˚ conduction - two thyrsitors
conducting at any instant
180˚ mode of operation
Each thyristors conducts for 180. Three thyristors
remain on at any instant of time. When thyristors S1
is switched on, terminal A is connected to the
positive terminal of the dc input voltage. When
transistor S4 is switched on, terminal A is brought to
the negative terminal of dc source.
There are six modes of operation in a cycle and the
duration of each mode is 60˚.
The gating signals shown in figure are shifted from each
other by 60˚ to obtain three phase balanced
(fundamental) voltages. The switched of any leg of the
inverter (S1 and S4, S3 and S6, S5 and S2) cannot
be switched on simultaneously; this would result in a
short circuit across the DC link voltage supply.
180˚ mode of operation

 If two switches: one upper and one lower

conduct at the same time such that the
output voltage is ±Vs. To generate a given
voltage waveform, the inverter moves
from one state to another. Thus, the
resulting ac output line voltages are built
up of discrete values of voltages of Vs, 0,
and -Vs.
 No Conducting Vab Vbc Vca
Thyristors
1 S1, S2 and S6 Vs 0 -Vs
180˚ mode of operation

2 S2, S3 and S1 0 Vs -Vs

3 S3, S4 and S2 ˗Vs Vs 0
4 S4, S5 and S3 -Vs 0 Vs
5 S5, S6 and S4 0 -Vs Vs
6 S6, S1 and S5 Vs -Vs 0
7 S1, S3 and S5 0 0 0
8 S4, S6 and S2 0 0 0
180˚ mode of operation
 Phase voltages for 180˚ conduction

 For a Y connected load, the line to neutral voltage must be

determined to find the line (or phase) currents. There are three
modes of operation in a half cycle and the equivalent circuit shown
180˚ mode of operation

in Figure for a Y-connected load.

180˚ mode of operation Phase voltages for 180˚ conduction
 Phase voltages for 180˚ conduction
During mode 1 for 0 ≤ wt ≤ 60˚, thyristor S1, S5 and S6 conduct

R 3R
Req  R  
180˚ mode of operation

2 2
Vs 2Vs
i1  
Req 3R

iR Vs
Van  Vcn  
2 3
 2Vs
Vbn  i1 R 
3
 Phase voltages for 180˚ conduction
During mode 2 for 60 ≤ wt ≤ 120˚, thyristor S1, S2 and S6 conduct

R 3R
Req  R  
180˚ mode of operation

2 2
Vs 2Vs
i2  
Req 3R

2Vs
Van  i2 R 
3
 i2 R  Vs
Vbn  Vcn  
2 3
 Phase voltages for 180˚ conduction
During mode 3 for 120˚ ≤ wt ≤ 180˚(π), thyristor S1, S5 and S6 conduct

R 3R
Req  R  
180˚ mode of operation

2 2
Vs 2Vs
i3  
Req 3R

i3 R Vs
Van  Vbn  
2 3
 2Vs
Vcn  i3 R 
3
120˚ mode of operation
In this type of conduction mode, each
thyristor conducts for 120˚.

At any instant of time, only two thyristors

remain on.

The gating signal and various voltage

waveforms of three phase inverter with
120˚ conduction for each thyristor are
shown.
 In this figure, one period of inverter operation has been divided into six intervals.
120˚ mode of operation

The conduction sequence of thyristors is 61, 12, 23, 34, 45, 56, 61
 Phase voltages for 120˚ conduction

One from the ‘upper’ group and then the other from the
‘lower’ group.
There are three modes of operation in one half cycles and
120˚ mode of operation

the equivalent circuit for a Y-connected (star) load is

shown in figure

Equivalent circuit for Y-connected resistive load

 Phase voltages for 120˚ conduction
During mode 1 for 0 ≤ wt ≤ 60˚, thyristor S1 and S6 conduct

Vs Vs
Van  Vbn   Vcn  0
120˚ mode of operation

2 2

During mode 2 for 60 ≤ wt ≤ 120˚, thyristor S1 and S2 conduct

Vs Vs
Van  Vbn  0 Vcn  
2 2

During mode 3 for 120 ≤ wt ≤ 180˚, thyristor S2 and S3 conduct

Vs Vs
Van  0 Vbn  Vcn  
2 2
Distinguish between 120˚ and 180˚ mode
conduction for three phase inverter
120˚
Conduction of device Each device conduct for 120˚
Number of conduction 2 devices conduct in one
devices in one interval interval
6 step waveform with ±Vs
Line voltage waveform
and ± Vs/2
Quasi square wave with
Phase voltage waveform
±Vs/2
Output power is higher
Output Power because of higher voltage
level.
180˚
Each device conduct for
180˚
3 devices conduct in one
interval
Quasi square wave with ±Vs
6 step waveform with
±2Vs/2 and ±Vs/3
Output power is less
because of lower voltage
level.
CONCLUSION
CONGRATULATIONS !!!
You have finished this unit
successfully.

2/28/2016 22