Impact of Transformer Turns Ratio on the Power Losses and Efficiency of the Wide Range Isolated Buck–Boost Converter for Photovoltaic Applications

Abstract

In this paper, the impact of transformer turns ratio on the performance of the quasi-Z-source galvanically isolated DC-DC converters is studied. Embedded buck–boost functionality enables these converters to regulate the input voltage and load in a wide range, which makes them suitable for such demanding application as photovoltaic microconverters. The isolation transformer here plays a central role as its turns ratio defines the point of transition between the boost and buck modes and overall capability of the converter to regulate the input voltage in a wide range at high efficiency. The studied quasi-Z-source galvanically isolated DC-DC converter is benchmarked in terms of power loss of components and weighted power conversion efficiency for three different turns ratios of isolation transformer to achieve the best and optimized turns ratio lead to the efficient operation. Operation in a wide range of input voltage at high efficiency is the main criterion for assessing the effect of turns ratio on the efficiency of the converter. The proposed loss model and theoretical predictions of the efficiency were validated with the help of a 300 W experimental prototype of the photovoltaic microconverter based on the quasi-Z-source galvanically isolated DC-DC converter topology.