Neutral point potential balancing algorithm at low modulation index for three-level inverter medium voltage drives

Three-level inverters produce low harmonic distortion of the ac currents even when operated at moderate switching frequency. This makes them the preferred candidates for high-power, medium voltage applications. To improve the utilization of the semiconductor devices, synchronous optimal pulsewidth modulation is employed. This permits reducing the switching frequency to very low values. Carrier modulation is maintained in the lower range of the modulation index. Operation at very low switching frequency increases the steady-state ripple of the neutral point potential. An intrinsic natural balancing mechanism of the neutral point clamped inverter topology eliminates long-term neutral point potential offsets. Transient conditions, however, may create successive increments of the offset to high values, which requires fast compensation. The novel method of selecting the appropriate redundant inverter subbridge meets this requirement without incurring additional penalties. The effectiveness of the approach is documented by experiments obtained from a medium voltage motor drive fed by a 1-MVA three-level inverter.