A high-power-quality reversible converter for 1-phase to 3-phase extension of mains supply

Typically, electric energy is available from mains via a.c. feeders, which are usually 1-phase for power levels below several kVA due to convenience reasons. Anyway, the availability of a 3-phase supply might benefit also such class of loads, e.g. permitting to directly supply better quality induction motors. This paper proposes a converter able to generate an almost symmetrical 3-phase supply from a 1-phase feeder, featuring low complexity, full reversibility, a quasi-sinusoidal output and a pseudo-resistive or quasi-sinusoidal in-phase input. After a circuital theoretical analysis, considerations about the possible control strategies are developed and a simulation model purposely get ready is described. Finally, simulation results illustrating the proposed solution are reported and commented.