Voltage balancing control in 3-level neutral-point clamped inverters using triangular carrier PWM modulation for facts applications

Javier Chivite-Zabalza, Pedro Izurza-Moreno, Danel Madariaga, Gorka Calvo, Miguel Angel Rodríguez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper, a novel technique to balance the voltage of the two split dc capacitors of a 3-Level neutral-point-clamped inverter using triangular carrier pulse width modulation is presented. This technique, suitable for reactive power compensation and for inverters operating with a relatively low switching frequency, consists in adding a square wave at six times the output frequency. Subsequently, this paper presents a comparison with two already known strategies in which a sinusoidal waveform at two and six times the output frequency are injected. The current contribution to the midpoint of the dc bus is then analyzed for different modulation indexes and operating conditions. Based on this analysis, a small-signal averaged model, suitable for control design purposes is presented. Finally, simulation and experimental results on a 690-Vac, 120-kVA test bench that validate the theory are shown.

Original languageEnglish
Article number6401198
Pages (from-to)4473-4484
Number of pages12
JournalIEEE Transactions on Power Electronics
Volume28
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • FACTS
  • SHE
  • STATCOM
  • VSC
  • insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT)
  • multilevel inverters
  • static synchronous series compensator (SSSC)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Voltage balancing control in 3-level neutral-point clamped inverters using triangular carrier PWM modulation for facts applications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this