Comparison of the EMC and efficiency characteristics of hard and soft switching three-level inverters

Conference: PCIM Europe 2016 - International Exhibition and Conference for Power Electronics, Intelligent Motion, Renewable Energy and Energy Management
05/10/2016 - 05/12/2016 at Nürnberg, Deutschland

Proceedings: PCIM Europe 2016

Pages: 8Language: englishTyp: PDF

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Authors:
Gekeler, Manfred W.; Schreitmueller, Stefan; Voigt, Gunter (HTWG Konstanz, University of Applied Sciences, Brauneggerstr. 55, 78464 Konstanz, Germany)

Abstract:
Three-level inverters are used in electrical drive systems, as grid infeed inverter in PV power plants or as active power line filters. Up to now so called hard switching topologies have been used. A new ‘Soft Switching Three Level Inverter (S3L Inverter)’ which is now available provides reduced switching losses and higher efficiency. In this paper the S3L inverter is compared with a hard switching T-type inverter topology (H3L inverter). S3L inverters provide higher efficiency and additionally advantages in electromagnetic compatibility due to the soft switching performance, especially when using the ‘Super Soft Switching Three Level Inverter (SS3L Inverter)’.