Efficiency of Active Three-Level and Five-Level NPC Inverters Compared to a Two-Level Inverter in a Vehicle

This paper deals with a comparison of a standard two-level inverter, with a three-level and a five-level active neutral point clamped (ANPC) inverter for vehicle traction applications. The inverter efficiencies during different drive cycles are assessed and an efficiency enhancement of the multilevel inverters for partial loading and different drive cycle scenarios is found.