A 17-Level Switched Voltage Source Multi-Level Inverter Topology with Low-Switching Frequency Control

Abstract

Higher number of output voltage level has always been preferred in multi-level inverter configurations due to its associated advantages: low output waves’ distortion, low-value filter components, etc. Series expansion to desired number of output voltage level is possible in conventional multi-level inverter topologies, but at increased power circuit component count and complexity. This article proposes a 17-level switched voltage source multi-level inverter topology that reduces the component count in 3-Φ multi-level inverter configurations. The switching sequences ensure minimum number of switching transitions among the constituted power switches. A comparison between the proposed inverter configuration, classical cascade H-bridge inverter, and some of the recent developed multi-level inverter topologies shows reduction in the power circuit devices in the proposed inverter. Appropriate modulation scheme is employed for low switching frequency operation of the proposed inverter topology. Implementation of optimum switching angles on the proposed inverter topology results in low total harmonic distortion values in the phase and line voltage waveforms. Simulation and experimental verifications are carried out on the proposed inverter topology for a resistive-inductive load; corresponding results are presented.

Keywords:

• inverter
• multilevel
• half-bridge
• total harmonic distortion
• full-bridge
• cascaded multilevel inverter
• switched voltage source
• topology
• semiconductor power switches
• symmetric multilevel inverter

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Charles Ikechukwu Odeh

Charles Ikechukwu Odeh received the B.Eng., M.Eng. and the Ph.D degrees from the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2002, 2006 and 2010, respectively. In January through September 2011, he was an exchange scholar, sponsored by the United States Navy, at Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, USA. From July 2014 to October 2016, he was a researcher, sponsored by the Alexandra Von Humboldt (AvH) Foundation, at the E.ON Energy Research Center, Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, Germany. He is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is a Member of the IEEE. His research interests are Power Electronics Multilevel converter topologies and applications.

Linus Uchechukwu Anih

Linus Uchechukwu Anih was born in Enugu state, Nigeria on September 23, 1959. He received the M.sc. and Ph.D degrees from the Obafemi Awlowo University Ile-Ife and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1988 and 1999, respectively; both in Electrical Engineering. Since 1989, he has been working as a lecturer and researcher at the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is a member of IEEE and currently a professor at the University of Nigeria. His areas of research include electric machines and drives.

Emenike Chinedozi Ejiogu

Emenike Chinedozi Ejiogu received the B.Eng. and M.Eng. degrees in electrical and electronic engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1987 and 1990, respectively. He won the Japanese government mombusho scholar award for his Ph.D studies in April 1990. On completion of his Ph.D in March 1994, he was appointed a lecturer at the Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan. In 1997, he became an Assistant Professor. He carried out extensive joint research projects in the University and with many industries. He became a Research Professor at the E and E Technology Research Laboratory, High Tech Research Centre, Ritsumeikan University, in 2007. In July 2011, he became a Professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and head of department of electrical engineering (August 2013 - July 2016). Dr. Ejiogu owns several international patents and is presently heading the Laboratory of Industrial Electronics, Power Devices and New Energy Systems.