Development of a Modulation Strategy for a PWM Inverter Drive

When induction motors are driven by electronic inverters, the applied voltage waveforms are quite nonsinusoidal. The fundamental component of the current is controlled by the load. The harmonic currents are limited principally by the motor leakage inductance and are independent of load. These harmonic currents can lead to increased motor heating and to increased peak currents. In addition, the modulation technique can give rise to problems in the control. An analysis method was developed to predict the performance of an induction motor in response to inverter waveforms. The correctness of the method was verified by comparison to measurements made on an operating system. This tool was then used to aid in the development of a modulation strategy, to accurately evaluate the motor heating problem and to analyze a new method of transitioning from pulsewidth modulation to square wave operation.