Four-leg Neutral-point-clamped Research Articles

A Simplified Space-Vector Modulation Algorithm for Four-Leg NPC Converters

To interface generation sources and loads to four-wire distribution networks it is important to use power converters and modulation methods, which provide high performance, flexibility, and reliability. To achieve these goals, this paper proposes a simple and efficient space vector modulation (SVM) algorithm in $\alpha \beta \gamma$ coordinates for neutral point clamped (NPC) converters. The proposed SVM method reduces a 3-D ( $\alpha \beta \gamma$ ) search amongst modulating vectors into a simple 2-D ( $\alpha \beta$ ) problem. Moreover, the algorithm provides full utilization of the dc-link voltage and full utilization of the redundant vectors, and it can be applied to any other four-leg converter topology. The proposed SVM has been successfully validated using a 6-kW three-level four-leg NPC converter, achieving control over the voltages of the dc-link capacitors and a simple definition of the switching patterns for shaping the frequency spectrum.

Generalized PWM-Based Method for Multiphase Neutral-Point-Clamped Converters With Capacitor Voltage Balance Capability

This paper presents a generalized pulse width modulation (PWM)-based control algorithm for multiphase neutral-point-clamped (NPC) converters. The proposed algorithm provides a zero sequence to be added to the reference voltages that contributes to improve the performance of the converter by: 1) Regulating the neutral-point (NP) current to eliminate/attenuate the low-frequency NP voltage ripples; 2) reducing the switching losses of the power semiconductors; and 3) maximizing the range of modulation indices for linear operation mode. The control method is formulated following a carrier-based PWM approach. Hence, dealing with complex space-vector diagrams to solve the modulation problem for multiphase converters is avoided. The recursive approach means that it can be easily extended to n -phase converters without increasing the complexity and computational burden, making it especially attractive for digital implementation. The proposed method allows regulating the NP voltage without the need for external controllers; therefore, no parameter tuning is required. The algorithm has been tested in a four-leg NPC converter prototype performing as a three- and four-phase system and operating with balanced and unbalanced loads.

Hybrid SHM-SHE Pulse-Amplitude Modulation for High-Power Four-Leg Inverter

This paper presents a hybrid selective harmonic mitigation (SHM)-selective harmonic elimination (SHE) switching technique based on pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM) concept. It has been applied on a four-leg neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverter to eliminate and mitigate more harmonic orders than recently proposed hybrid SHM-SHE-pulse width modulation (PWM) method while generating switching pulses at the same frequency. In conventional SHE and SHM techniques, equations are solved to attain the switching angles. Regarding the PAM, value of inverter dc voltage can be considered as an additional degree of freedom by which the flexibility of such techniques would be increased maintaining the switching frequency. In the proposed SHM-SHE-PAM, the conventional equations are reformulated to obtain constant switching angles for a vast range of modulation index $(m_{a})$ applied on a four-leg NPC inverter. Switching pulses of the three-phase legs and the fourth leg are calculated to mitigate the nontriplen harmonics and eliminate the triplen ones, respectively. Due to the unique switching angles valid in the whole range for $m_{a}$ , the calculation time and volume (storage capacity) are significantly reduced leading to a simpler controller implementable on a low-risk and cheap AVR chip. Experimental tests’ results of a four-leg NPC inverter as UPS application prove the good dynamic performance and accuracy of the proposed implemented switching technique in producing associated pulses for the inverter switches at very low frequency to mitigate/eliminate undesired harmonic orders from the output phase/line voltage waveforms without using bulky filters.

Modulation Strategy for Multiphase Neutral-Point-Clamped Converters

This paper presents a novel modulation strategy for n -phase neutral-point-clamped (NPC) converters. The proposed modulation strategy is able to control and completely remove the low-frequency neutral-point (NP) voltage oscillations for any operation point and load types. Even when unbalanced and/or nonlinear loads are considered, the NP voltage remains under total control. Consequently, the strategy is very attractive for n -phase active filters. In addition, it enables the use of low-capacity film capacitors in NPC converters. The proposed modulation takes the carrier-based modulation strategy as a basis. It is formulated following a generalized approach that makes it expandable to n -phase NPC converters. In addition, the NP voltage is controlled directly using a closed-loop algorithm that does not rely on the use of the linear control regulators or the additional compensators used in other modulation algorithms. Therefore, no tuning of parameters is required and it performs optimally for any operating conditions and kind of loads, including unbalanced and nonlinear loads. Although the high-frequency harmonic content of the output voltages may increase, the weighted total harmonic distortion generated by the proposed strategy is similar to that of a standard sinusoidal pulse width modulated strategy. The proposed modulation algorithm has been tested in a four-leg NPC converter prototype performing as a three- and four-phase system and operating with balanced and unbalanced loads.

Hybrid SHM–SHE Modulation Technique for a Four-Leg NPC Inverter With DC Capacitor Self-Voltage Balancing

In this paper, selective harmonic mitigation (SHM) and selective harmonic elimination (SHE) modulation techniques have been combined to produce appropriate pulses for a four-leg three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter. In the proposed hybrid method, the SHM technique is applied to phase legs in order to mitigate non-triplen harmonics (fifth, seventh, . . .), and the fourth leg is controlled by the SHE principle to eliminate important low-order triplen harmonics (third, ninth, . . .) completely. In this context, it is demonstrated that using SHM instead of an SHE modulator for phase legs leads to a reduced vast range of harmonic orders in the NPC output voltage, significantly. Moreover, it is proved that the presented hybrid switching technique has the ability of dc-bus capacitor voltage balancing, inherently. Furthermore, analyses are performed to calculate the dc-bus capacitances accurately to show 5% voltage ripple acceptably. Simulation and experimental results validate a good dynamic performance of the proposed hybrid modulation technique in firing the NPC inverter switches to generate low-harmonic voltage waveforms supplying balanced and unbalanced loads while balancing the dc capacitor voltages in a four-wire network with small dc-link capacitors.

High performance operation for a four-leg NPC inverter with two-sample-ahead predictive control strategy

In this paper is proposed a finite control-set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) strategy which uses a two-sample-ahead prediction horizon to achieve high-performance operation for a three-phase four-leg neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverter with an output LC filter. The control strategy is proposed in order to minimize the error between the output voltages and their references, maintain equal voltage among the dc-link capacitors, and reduce the overall switching frequency of the inverter. One-sample-ahead and two-sample-ahead prediction horizon are evaluated and compared in terms of reference tracking error and THD, under steady-state and transient operating conditions with linear and non-linear loads. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed two-sample-ahead prediction horizon is more suitable for high power applications where lower switching frequency operation is mandatory.

Application of a three-level NPC inverter as a three-phase four-wire power quality compensator by generalized 3DSVM

A two-level four-leg inverter has been developed for the three-phase four-wire power quality compensators. When it is applied to medium and large capacity compensators, the voltage stress across each switch is so high that the corresponding dv/dt causes large electromagnetic interference. The multilevel voltage source inverter topologies are good substitutes, since they can reduce voltage stress and improves output harmonic contents. The existing three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter in three-phase three-wire systems can be used in three-phase four-wire systems also, because the split dc capacitors provide a neutral connection. This paper presents a comparison study between the three-level four-leg NPC inverter and the three-level NPC inverter. A fast and generalized applicable three-dimensional space vector modulation (3DSVM) is proposed for controlling a three-level NPC inverter in a three-phase four-wire system. The zero-sequence component of each vector is considered in order to implement the neutral current compensation. Both simulation and experimental results are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed 3DSVM control strategy. Comparisons between the 3DSVM and the 3-D hysteresis control strategy are also achieved.