Performance Analysis of Multi-Carrier PWM and Space Vector Modulation Techniques for Five-Phase Three-Level Neutral Point Clamped Inverter

In industries, the demand for multi-phase Multi-Level Inverters (MLIs) increases as they have reduced switching loss, Common Mode Voltage (CMV) and voltage stress across switches. The Multi-Carrier PWM (MCPWM) and Space Vector Modulation (SVM) techniques are predominantly used for controlling the inverter. This paper discusses various PWM techniques like PD, POD, APOD, IC, PSC, VFC PWM and SVM (OFV and SVM with Zero CMV) for 5-phase NPC 3L Inverter. Each PWM techniques gives better results in voltage THD/ dc-link balancing/ CMV. The SVM is significant for obtaining better performances in all these aspects. The Optimized Five Vector (OFV) which has 113 vectors is preferred than normal SVM as it has inequality relationship between 5-phase voltages. Though, OFV gives better results in terms of higher output voltage and lower NPF, the CMV is not eliminated. To eliminate CMV, 51 vectors that generates Zero CMV is selected to drive the inverter where output voltage and NPF is also improved. However, due to the presence of x-y components the distortion is present. The vectors are further reduced to 31 where the x-y components are neglected to reduce the distortion is proposed in this paper. The performance of the inverter drive is enhanced by applying proposed SVM with 31 vectors. The NPF, CMV and losses are calculated for all PWM techniques, also the THD performances of an inverter is found for various techniques. The simulation is carried out for all PWM techniques and the results are verified by experimental results.