Modeling, simulation and analysis of three-level neutral point clamped inverter using Matlab/Simulink/power system blockset

Current and voltage harmonics have attracted growing interest with the increase in use of static power converters. These converters produce distorted current and voltage waveforms. The result is harmonic pollution that degrades the power quality. To provide safe operation and to meet harmonic standards such as IEEE 519, it is necessary to eliminate harmonic distortion and improve power quality of the system. This paper presents detailed modeling, simulation and analysis of neutral point clamped three-level inverter. Various performance parameters of multilevel inverters have been investigated with three-phase induction motor load. Besides maintaining DC bus voltage balance, a significant reduction is seen in voltage distortion at neutral point in the simulation. The viability of using three-level neutral point clamped inverter in high power systems is proven by simulation using Matlab/Simulink/power system blockset. The space vector modulation (SVM) technique has been employed to get rid of common mode voltages by switching among different states in SVM.