Evaluation of Reduced Component Count Converters for Low Harmonic Distortion AC Drive Systems

In this work, the suitability of two reduced component count single-phase to three-phase converters for low harmonic distortion AC drive systems is evaluated. A DQ synchronous reference frame controller is developed for achieving low input harmonic distortion and is compared to other current controller schemes, particularly on-off and current-mode PWM controllers. The harmonic distortion of input and motor line currents, as well as the drive performance, are verified for the various controllers. An experimental prototype has been built, based on IGBTs and digital signal processor, for driving a squirrel-cage induction machine. PSCAD/EMTDCTM simulation and experimental results are presented.