Development of modulation strategies for NPC converter addressing DC link voltage balancing and CMV reduction

3L-NPC inverters are more popular due to their superior performance compared with two level inverters. One of the most optimal applications for multilevel inverter is the Adjustable Speed Drives (ASD). The industry reported numerous ASD failures due to high frequency PWM. Those failures consist in insulation breakdown and bearing failures. By the use of this type of converters, both Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and harmonic distortions are improved. This paper proposes two modulation strategies for Three Level Neutral Point Clamped Converter (3L-NPC). The main focus of these modulation strategies is to reduce the Common Mode Voltage (CMV) and balance the DC Link Voltage.