Evaluation of LCL filter inductor and active front end rectifier losses under different PWM method

LCL filter and power switches are the most critical parts of high power active front end (AFE) rectifier designer. Among the LCL filter component, the main inductor located at the rectifier side is the most expensive and bulky component. This is because it is exposed to PWM voltage waveform and induce much higher core losses. This paper proposes a way to analyze the core losses of main inductor. The losses under different operation mode of AFE rectifier are compared and verified by experimental result. The losses of the IGBT/Diode in the rectifier are also studied and compared. It can be concluded that the application of the inductor and the IGBT/diode must be designed properly to allow optimal size and to avoid over heating.