Performance Analysis and Loss Estimation of an AC-DC PFC Topologies of an EV Charger

The front-end AC-DC power factor correction (PFC) converter of an electric vehicle (EV) charger is essential to achieve the grid side power factor close to unity and maintain the input current total harmonic distortion (THD) within permissible limits. The other desirable attributes are high power density, high efficiency, and simple structure. However, several articles have discussed the different PFC topologies to achieve these qualities with the difference in the number of switching devices employed and conduction modes. So, this paper aims to present the design and performance comparison of four common PFC topologies. Further, the loss analysis using the datasheet parameters of switching devices and operational modes of the PFC converters have been discussed. The converters, namely, active boost PFC, interleaved-boost PFC, dual boost PFC and totem-pole PFC, have been designed for CCM operation with the output power/voltage of 3. 3kW/400V. Moreover, these topologies are simulated in MATLAB/ Simulink, and their performances in terms of the amount of THD in input current, output voltage regulation, and switching losses have been obtained. The analysis shows that the bridgeless totem-pole PFC converter shows superior performance among all four topologies taken for study due to a low number of switching devices in the current conduction path and reduced switching losses.