Common mode current attenuation techniques for use with PWM drives

Abstract

The most common modulation strategy adopted for motor control in adjustable speed drives (ASDs) is pulse width modulation (PWM). In general, the output is modulated at a carrier frequency ranging from 1.0 kHz to 20.0 kHz. Experiences with PWM drives have shown that there exist two important concerns: (1) common mode current; and (2) over-voltage at the motor when the distance between motor and the inverter is larger than the critical distance. The high carrier frequency along with fast rise and fall time of the insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) employed results in nontrivial common-mode or ground currents. The high dv/dt causes shaft voltage, which leads to bearing currents. This phenomenon has been identified as one of the reasons for premature bearing failure in PWM driven motors. A new scheme to attenuate the common mode noise and hence reduce shaft voltage is proposed. Experimental results showing the effectiveness of the proposed solution is also presented.