Power Electronics

Winter 2023

Lecture 9

Dr. Walid Atef Omran

Today’s Lecture
 Introduction about Inverters

 Half Bridge Inverter

 Full Bridge Inverter

2
Inverters

3
Inverters
 The inverter is a power electronics converter that converts the DC
voltage and current into AC voltage and current with constant or
variable magnitude and frequency.

 Inverters are either single phase (where the output AC voltage is single
phase) or three phase (where the output AC voltage is three phase).

 Inverters are used in many applications such as:

 Control of AC motors (induction and synchronous motors)

 Interface of renewable energy systems (wind and solar systems)

 Uninterruptable power supplies (UPS)

 High Voltage DC Transmission (HVDC) 4

Classification of Inverters
Inverters can be classified according to the type of input source:
 Voltage source inverters (VSI), where the input DC voltage is maintained
constant by adding a large capacitor in the input side to smooth any voltage
ripples that might be present. This is the most commonly used type and
that’s why this is the type that will be discussed in this course.
 Current source inverters (CSI), where the input DC current is maintained
constant by adding a large inductor in the input side to smooth any current
ripples that might be present.

Input for the VSI Input for the CSI 5

Features of the AC Output of the Inverter
 Magnitude of AC voltage: The voltage magnitude can be adjusted by:
1) varying the input DC voltage of the inverter
2) Using pulse width modulation techniques (will be discussed later)
 AC frequency: The output frequency of the voltage is adjusted by
adjusting the switching frequency of the power electronic switches of
the inverter (IGBT, MOSFET, …. )
 Waveform of the AC voltage: The output voltage of the inverter is not
pure sinusoidal, and thus, it contains harmonics. These harmonics are
not desirable in the system and can be reduced by:
1) installing filters are the output side of the inverter
2) Switching the power electronics switches using special techniques
 Phase number: The output can be single or three phase based on the
connection of the inverter.
6
Fourier Series
 Since the output voltage of the inverter is not pure sinusoidal, it is
important to find the fundamental and harmonic components of this
voltage. This achieved by using the Fourier series.
 Any periodic function can be represented by a Fourier series which is
an infinite sum of cosine and sine functions as follows:
∞ ∞

𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑎𝑜 + ෍ 𝑎𝑛 cos 𝑛𝜔𝑡 + ෍ 𝑏𝑛 sin 𝑛𝜔𝑡

𝑛=1 𝑛=1

𝑎𝑜 DC component (average)

𝑛=1 Fundamental component

𝑛>1 Harmonic components 7

Fourier Series
 ao, an and bn are called the Fourier coefficients and are obtained by:
𝑇
1
𝑎𝑜 = න 𝑣 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑇
0
𝑇
2
𝑎𝑛 = න 𝑣 𝑡 cos 𝑛𝜔𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑇
0
𝑇
2
𝑏𝑛 = න 𝑣 𝑡 sin 𝑛𝜔𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑇
0
where T is the period of the function v(t) and ω is the angular
frequency ( ω = 2π/T ).
Note: The calculation of the coefficients can be simplified if the
function is odd or even or has half wave symmetry or quarter wave
symmetry. 8
Performance Parameters
 Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): is a measure of the closeness in
shape between a waveform and its fundamental component.

σ∞ 𝑉 2
𝑛=2 𝑛 𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑉𝑜2𝑟𝑚𝑠 −𝑉12𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝑇𝐻𝐷 = =
𝑉1 𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑉1 𝑟𝑚𝑠
where Vn rms is the rms value of the nth harmonic component, V1 rms is
the rms value of the fundamental component and Vo rms is the rms value
of the output voltage
 Harmonic Factor of nth harmonic (HFn): it is a measure of the
individual harmonic contribution.
𝑉𝑛 𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝐻𝐹𝑛 =
𝑉1 𝑟𝑚𝑠
 Lowest-order harmonic (LOH): is the harmonic component whose
frequency is closest to the fundamental component and its amplitude is
greater than or equal 3% of the fundamental component. 9
Single Phase Voltage Source Inverter
 Our discussion will focus on single phase voltage source inverters

 There are two basic types of these inverters:

 Half bridge inverter

 Full bridge inverter

 The control of the magnitude of the output voltage can be

achieved by PWM techniques, which will be discussed later.

 In our discussions, we will consider the period of the output

voltage to be either t = T or ωt = 2π.

10
Half Bridge Inverter
 In this circuit, two identical DC voltage sources
must be used.
 S1 and S2 are fully controlled electronic switches
such as BJTs, MOSFETs or IGBTs.
 The direction of the arrow of the switch
indicates the direction of current flow.
 S1 and S2 are simultaneously switched on and
off for equal intervals of time.
 A diode is placed in parallel with the switch to provide a path for the
current in case of an inductive load.
 The frequency of the output can be controlled by controlling the
switching frequency of S1 and S2
11
Half Bridge Inverter with R-L load
Principle of operation (at steady state):
(1) S1 is turned on. The output current is +ve and increases from 0 to Iom.
(2) S1 is turned off but the output current will continue to flow in the load
in the same direction through D2 due to the inductive nature of the
load. During this period S2 will not conduct even if it gets a signal
because it is reverse biased by D2. The output current is +ve and
decreases from Iom to 0 (charging the supply).

(1) (2) 12
Half Bridge Inverter with R-L load
Principle of operation (at steady state):
(1)
(2)
Asd
Asd

(3) D1 is turned off when the output current through it reaches zero, and
S2 will conduct. The output current is –ve and will increase in the
negative direction from 0 to -Iom.
(4) S2 is turned off but the output current will continue to flow in the load
in the same direction through D1 due to the inductive nature of the
load. During this period S1 will not conduct even if it gets a signal
because it is reverse biased by D1. The output current is –ve and will
decrease in the –ve direction from -Iom to 0.

13
(3) (4)
 vo(t)
VS

T/2 T t
(π) (2π) (ωt)
-VS
Gating signals for S1
the electronic switches →
S2 t
t
io(t)
Iom

t
-Iom
iS1(t)

t
iD1(t)

i1(t)
i1= is1 – iD1
t
Conducting
devices in each region → D1 S1 D2 S2 D1 S1
14
Half Bridge Inverter with R-L load
Analysis of the circuit:
0≤ t ≤ T/2:
𝑑𝑖𝑜
𝑉𝑠 = 𝐿 + 𝑖𝑜 𝑅
𝑑𝑡
𝑉𝑠 𝐿
𝑖𝑜 = + 𝐴𝑒 −𝑡Τ𝜏 (𝜏 = is the time constant)
𝑅 𝑅
To find A: substitute io (t) = -Iom at t = 0
𝑉𝑠
𝐴 = −𝐼𝑜𝑚 −
𝑅
𝑉𝑠
∴ 𝑖𝑜 𝑡 = 1 − 𝑒 −𝑡Τ𝜏 − 𝐼𝑜𝑚 𝑒 −𝑡Τ𝜏
𝑅
To find Iom: substitute io (t) = Iom at t = T/2
𝑉𝑠 1 − 𝑒 −𝑇Τ2𝜏
∴ 𝐼𝑜𝑚 =
𝑅 1 + 𝑒 −𝑇Τ2𝜏 15
Half Bridge Inverter with R-L load
Analysis of the circuit:
T/2 ≤ t ≤ T:
The waveform of the output current during this period is exactly the same as
the previous period but with a negative sign. Thus, the expression for the
current will be as obtained before with taking into consideration that the axis
has to be shifted by T/2
−
𝑡−𝑇/2 𝑉𝑠 −
𝑡−𝑇/2
∴ 𝑖𝑜 𝑡 = 𝐼𝑜𝑚 𝑒 𝜏 − 1−𝑒 𝜏
𝑅
The output rms voltage is: Vorms = Vs

The peak forward voltage of each electronic switch is: VPFV = 2Vs (can be
obtained by observing the voltage across S1 when it is OFF and S2 is ON)

16
Half Bridge Inverter
Fourier expression for the output voltage: vo(t)
𝑉𝑠 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 𝑇/2 VS
𝑣𝑜 (𝑡) = ቊ
−𝑉𝑠 𝑇/2 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 𝑇 T/2 T t
∞ ∞ -VS
𝑣𝑜 𝑡 = 𝑎𝑜 + ෍ 𝑎𝑛 cos 𝑛𝜔𝑡 + ෍ 𝑏𝑛 sin 𝑛𝜔𝑡
𝑛=1 𝑛=1

Using the previous formulas to find ao , an and bn it can be shown that

ao = 0, an = 0 for all n and bn = 0 for n is even.

For n = odd (1, 3, 5, 7, …):

4𝑉𝑠 𝜋𝑛 4𝑉𝑠
𝑏𝑛 = 1 − cos =
𝜋𝑛 2 𝜋𝑛
17
Half Bridge Inverter
Fourier expression for the output voltage:

4𝑉𝑠
∴ 𝑣𝑜 𝑡 = ෍ sin 𝑛𝜔𝑡
𝑛𝜋
𝑛=1,3,5,…
Note:
4𝑉𝑠 4𝑉𝑠 4𝑉𝑠
𝑉1 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = , 𝑉3 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = , 𝑉5 𝑟𝑚𝑠 =
𝜋 2 3𝜋 2 5𝜋 2

𝑉𝑜 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝑉12𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝑉32𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝑉52𝑟𝑚𝑠 + ⋯ = 𝑉𝑠

18
Half Bridge Inverter
Fourier expression for the output current:
The Fourier expression for the output current can be obtained for any load
directly from the Fourier expression of the output voltage as follows:
4𝑉𝑠
𝑖𝑜 𝑡 = ෍ sin 𝑛𝜔𝑡 − 𝜃𝑛
𝑛𝜋 𝑍𝑛
𝑛=1,3,5 …

For R load: Zn = R, θn = 0
𝑛𝜔𝐿
For R−L load: 𝑍𝑛 = 𝑅2 + 𝑛𝜔𝐿 2 , 𝜃𝑛 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1
𝑅
2 1
1 𝑛𝜔𝐿 −
For R−L−C load: 𝑍𝑛 = 𝑅2 + 𝑛𝜔𝐿 − , 𝜃𝑛 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝑛𝜔𝐶
𝑛𝜔𝐶 𝑅

𝑉𝑜 𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝐼𝑜 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝐼12 𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝐼32 𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝐼52 𝑟𝑚𝑠 +⋯≠ 19
𝑍
Full Bridge Inverter
 In this circuit only one DC voltage source is used.

 S1 & S3 are switched on together during 0 → T/2 and S2 & S4 are

switched on together during T/2 → T.

 The diodes will conduct in case of

inductive loads.

 The switch will not conduct if the

parallel diode is conducting because
it will be reverse biased.

20
Full Bridge Inverter with R-L load
Principle of operation (at steady state):
(1) S1 & S3 are ON and io(t) increases in
the +ve direction from 0 → Iom

(2) D2 & D4 are ON and io(t) decreases in

the +ve direction from Iom → 0

21
(1) (2)
Full Bridge Inverter with R-L load
Principle of operation (at steady state):
(3) S2 & S4 are ON and io(t) increases in
the –ve direction from 0 → -Iom

(4) D1 & D3 are ON and io(t) decreases in

the –ve direction from -Iom → 0

(3) (4) 22
 vo(t)
VS

T/2 T t
-VS (π) (2π) (ωt)
Gating signals for S1 S3
the electronic switches →
S2 S4 t

t
io(t)
Iom

t
-Iom
iS2(t)
iS4(t)
t
iD2(t)
iD4(t)
t
is(t)

t
iS= iS1 – iD1 + iS2 – iD2
Conducting
D S1 D2 S2 D1 S1 23
devices in each region → D1 S3 D4 S4 D3 S3
3
Full Bridge Inverter with R-L load
Analysis of the circuit:
The analysis for this circuit is exactly similar to the analysis of the half bridge
inverter circuit and the final expression for the output current will be the
same. The only difference is the peak reverse voltage of each switch.
0≤ t ≤ T/2:
𝑉𝑠 𝐿
𝑖𝑜 𝑡 = 1 − 𝑒 −𝑡Τ𝜏 − 𝐼𝑜𝑚 𝑒 −𝑡Τ𝜏 (𝜏 = is the time constant)
𝑅 𝑅
𝑉𝑠 1 − 𝑒 −𝑇Τ2𝜏
𝐼𝑜𝑚 =
𝑅 1 + 𝑒 −𝑇Τ2𝜏
T/2 ≤ t ≤ T:
−
𝑡−𝑇/2 𝑉𝑠 −
𝑡−𝑇/2
𝑖𝑜 𝑡 = 𝐼𝑜𝑚 𝑒 𝜏 − 1−𝑒 𝜏
𝑅
Vorms = Vs , VPFV = Vs
24
Full Bridge Inverter
Fourier expression for the output voltage: vo(t)
VS
The output voltage waveform is the same as that
of the half bridge inverter. Thus, the Fourier T/2 T t
-VS
expression for the output voltage is the same:
4𝑉𝑠
𝑣𝑜 𝑡 = ෍ sin 𝑛𝜔𝑡
𝑛𝜋
𝑛=1,3,5,…
Note:

4𝑉𝑠
𝑉𝑜 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝑉12𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝑉32𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝑉32𝑟𝑚𝑠 + ⋯ = 𝑉𝑠 𝑉1 𝑟𝑚𝑠 =
𝜋 2
4𝑉𝑠 4𝑉𝑠
, 𝑉3 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = , 𝑉5 𝑟𝑚𝑠 =
3𝜋 2 5𝜋 2
25
Full Bridge Inverter
Fourier expression for the output current:
The Fourier expression for the output current can be obtained for any load
directly from the Fourier expression of the output voltage as follows:
4𝑉𝑠
𝑖𝑜 𝑡 = ෍ sin 𝑛𝜔𝑡 − 𝜃𝑛
𝑛𝜋 𝑍𝑛
𝑛=1,3,5 …

For R load: Zn = R, θn = 0
𝑛𝜔𝐿
For R−L load: 𝑍𝑛 = 𝑅2 + 𝑛𝜔𝐿 2 , 𝜃𝑛 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1
𝑅
2 1
1 𝑛𝜔𝐿 −
For R−L−C load: 𝑍𝑛 = 𝑅2 + 𝑛𝜔𝐿 − , 𝜃𝑛 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝑛𝜔𝐶
𝑛𝜔𝐶 𝑅

𝑉𝑜 𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝐼𝑜 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝐼12 𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝐼32 𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝐼52 𝑟𝑚𝑠 +⋯≠ 26
𝑍