Neutral-Point-Clamped Circuits of Single-Phase PV
Inverters: Generalized Principle and Implementation
Liwei Zhou1, Feng Gao1, Tingting Yang2
1 2
School of Electrical Engineering
Shandong University
Jinan, China
AbstractThe common-mode leakage current should be
carefully considered when designing a transformer-less
photovoltaic (PV) inverter since the leakage current can cause
the output current distortion and increase the operational risk.
The unipolar SPWM of traditional H-bridge inverter can
produce superior output performance but will cause a high-
frequency common-mode voltage and consequently the non-
negligible leakage current. To attenuate the fluctuation of
common-mode voltage, few neutral-point-clamped circuits have
been designed to clamp the neutral point voltage and maintain
the common mode voltage constant. This paper reviews the
already published single-phase inverters with constant common
mode voltage in theory and proposes a generalized design
principle of multi-terminal neutral-point-clamped circuits, whose
unidirectional and bidirectional variations are fully analyzed
respectively. Subsequently, two families of new single-phase PV
inverters with neutral-point-clamped circuits are proposed. Also,
the efficiency, cost and control complexity are compared between
the proposed topologies and the traditional NPC inverters to
prove the superiority of the proposed topologies. The simulation
and experimental results verified the theoretical findings.
Keywordsphotovoltaic inverter; neutral-point-clamped
circuit; common-mode voltage; transformerless inverter
I. INTRODUCTION
In the grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) inversion system,
high efficiency, high performance and low cost are the three
main targets pursuing. Traditionally, a line-frequency or high-
frequency transformer is employed in the PV inverter to isolate
the grid from the PV source to attenuate the common mode
leakage current and step up output voltage. However, the
transformer will unavoidably reduce the operational efficiency
and increase system cost and size [1]. Therefore, the
transformerless PV inverters are now attracting much more
attention. The main problem of transformerless PV inverter is
that it has no galvanic isolation and then the common-mode
leakage current can flow through the parasitic capacitance
between PV array and ground, which will threaten people
safety and cause other severe problems [2]. To attenuate the
Fig. 1. The common-mode circuit of single-phase PV inverter.
978-1-4673-7151-3/15/$31.00 2015 IEEE
State Grid Chongqing Electric Power Company
Chongqing, China
common mode leakage current in transformerless inverter, the
most effective solution is to keep the common mode voltage
constant [3]. So far, several single-phase topologies have been
proposed to maintain the common-mode voltage constant as
half of DC bus voltage, for example, H5, HERIC and H6
topologies [4-7]. However, the common-mode voltage is
indeed variable during the freewheeling stage because of the
potential variation induced by the charging of switch junction
capacitance. Thus, the leakage current still exists in the
common-mode circuit. Besides, few neutral-point-clamped
circuits have been proposed to effectively clamp the common
mode voltage to be half of dc bus voltage during whole
fundamental period [8-10]. But the general methods to design
and analyze the neutral-point-clamped circuits were lack of
presentation.
This paper presents the general design method of clamping
circuits and proposes the corresponding unidirectional and
bidirectional neutral-point-clamped circuits and analyzes their
operational theory. And then two families of neutral-point-
clamped single-phase PV inverters are proposed by using
unidirectional and bidirectional clamping circuits, respectively.
The comparative analysis shows the advantages of the
proposed topologies in the aspect of efficiency, device cost and
control complexity. The simulation and experimental results
have verified the performance of proposed circuits.
II. MODELING OF COMMON MODE CIRCUIT IN SINGLE-PHASE
PV INVERTER
Fig. 1 shows the topology of traditional single-phase
transformerless PV inverter, where four switches operate at
high frequency and the corresponding common mode voltage
can be expressed as:
uao + ubo
ucm = (1)
2
Where, uao and ubo are the pulsating voltage between the
midpoint of bridges and the negative DC rail, respectively. The
common-mode current icm is mainly induced by the fluctuation
of ucm as expressed in (2).
ducm
icm = CPV (2)
dt
Without the isolation transformer, the common-mode
leakage current can flow through the parasitic capacitance
existed between ground and PV array, the equivalent grid
impedance, and the output filter. As a consequence, the leakage
current may exceed the permissible levels defined by standards,
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 p p p
S1 S3 La La La

a E E E
b
U dc U dc U dc
o o o
PV PV
PV Lb Lb
Lb
S5 S6

S2 S4
n n
n
(a) (b) (c)
Fig. 2. (a) Topology of H6 inverter and the equivalent circuits during (b) power transferring mode and (c) freewheeling mode.

e.g. DIN VDE 0126-1-1, and will cause the safety problems
and distort the output current.
Several single-phase inverters have the capability of
attenuating the common-mode current, such as H5, Heric, HB-
ZVR and H6 topologies. These inverters can use the auxiliary
switches and diodes to provide the additional freewheeling path
to make the common-mode voltage be constant during the
whole fundamental period in theory. However, because of the
charging of switch junction capacitance during the
freewheeling modes, the common-mode voltage is indeed not
constant. Specifically taking the topology of Fig. 2 as an
example, which can maintain the common mode voltage
constant in theory, during the energy transferring modes in the
positive fundamental period, although the equivalent junction
capacitances C2, C3 and C6 are charged, Uan and Ubn will
maintain constant as Vdc and 0, respectively. On the other hand,
in the freewheeling mode, the junction capacitances C1-C4, C6
are charged and Upa, Ubn are increased, thus the potentials of a
and b vary during the whole fundamental period. Then the
common-mode voltage is not strictly half of DC bus voltage,
especially during the freewheeling mode. A fluctuating
common-mode voltage will cause a high level of leakage
current which is not permitted in the PV applications. Hence, it
is necessary to add a neutral-point-clamped circuit to make the
common-mode voltage constant.
III. GENERAL DESIGN PRINCIPLE OF NEUTRAL-POINT-CLAMPED
CIRCUITS
The function of neutral-point-clamped circuits is to clamp
the output voltage of two phase-legs during freewheeling mode.
Thus, the design of clamping circuits should follow the
principles below:
p p
S1 S3
La
a
(a) The clamping circuit should be bidirectional.
(b) The clamping circuit will not shoot-through DC rails.
(c) The clamping circuits should be connected to the
midpoint of DC link and form an additional freewheeling path.
Following the above principles, the clamping circuit should
have at least three effective connection terminals, one of which
will connect to the midpoint of dc-link and others will connect
to the output terminal per bridge to form a freewheeling path.
Because the null state operation of unipolar PWM in traditional
H-bridge inverter will force common mode voltage be Vdc or 0,
not Vdc/2, the alternative freewheeling path should leave S1-S4
OFF during the null state intervals. Fig. 3 shows the general
configuration of clamping circuit in single-phase inverter,
where the clamping circuit can be inserted at three different
locations. To fully satisfy the operational principle of clamping
circuits, two types of neutral point clamped circuits can be
designed with unidirectional and bidirectional current flow
capability, respectively. In particular, Fig. 4 shows the
unidirectional clamping circuits, which consists of two diodes
and one switch. It is noted that only diode Dc connects to the
midpoint of dc-link allowing current flow in one direction. Fig.
5 shows the bidirectional clamping circuits, which consists of
three switches. Following the principle (a) stated above, the
clamping circuit should be bidirectional. Therefore, a complete
neutral point clamping circuit for a single phase PV inverter
should consist of the two unidirectional neutral clamping
circuits in Fig. 4 or one of the bidirectional neutral clamping
circuits in Fig. 5.
IV. IMPLEMENTATION OF NEUTRAL-POINT-CLAMPED CIRCUITS
p
S1 S3 S1 S3
La La
a a

PV E PV E PV E

b o o o
b b
Lb Lb Lb
S2 S4 S2 S4 S2 S4

n n n

(a) (b) (c)

Fig. 3. The general configuration of clamping circuits inserted at three different locations.

443
 [10]. And Fig. 6(b) and (c) show that the clamping circuits can
be inserted in any phase-leg to form a freewheeling path, which
correspond to the general indication of Fig. 3(b) and (c).
Besides, two unidirectional circuits can be inserted flexibly as
shown in Fig. 6(d), (e), (f) and (g), where one unidirectional
circuit is inserted in one phase-leg and another connects the
midpoint of dc-link and output terminals of H-bridge directly.
To briefly illustrate the operational principle of proposed
single-phase inverters with unidirectional clamping circuits, the
(a) (b) topology of Fig. 6(b) is assumed as an example, which has four
Fig. 4. The unidirectional neutral clamping circuits. operation modes. Fig. 7 shows the specific current flow paths
during the energy transferring modes and the freewheeling
modes.
Mode 1: During positive half period, S1 and S4 are
modulated in high frequency, while S5 is always ON and S6
works complementarily to S1 and S4. When S1 and S4 are on,
the current flows through S1, S5, grid and S4 successively. The
common-mode voltage is
uan + ubn udc + 0 udc
(a) (b) ucm = = = (3)
Fig. 5. The bidirectional neutral clamping circuits. 2 2 2
This section presents the detailed implementation of Mode 2: When S1 and S4 are off, the current flows through
neutral-point-clamped circuits. The unidirectional and D1, S5 and grid successively. The common-mode voltage is
bidirectional clamping circuits are implemented, respectively. uan + ubn udc / 2 + udc / 2 udc
ucm = = = (4)
A. Implementation of Unidirectional Clamping Circuits 2 2 2
As indicated by Fig. 3 and 4, two unidirectional clamping Mode 3: During negative half period, S2 and S3 are
circuits should be combined together to form a bidirectional modulated in high frequency, while S6 is always ON and S5
freewheeling path. Also, the variations of circuit combination works complementarily to S2 and S3. When S2 and S3 are on,
can be inserted in the traditional H-bridge inverter as the current flows through S3, grid, S6 and S2 successively. The
generalized in Fig. 3. Fig. 6(a)-(g) shows the produced common-mode voltage is
topologies using unidirectional clamping circuits, which makes
up a family of neutral-point-clamped single-phase inverters. In uan + ubn 0 + udc udc
ucm = = = (5)
particular, Fig. 6(a) shows the topology with clamping circuits 2 2 2
inserted between dc-link and H-bridge as indicated by Fig. 3(a)

p p
S1
p S3
S1 S3
S3 S1
La
a S5 La S5
La
U dc E a
PV a E
S5 S6 PV PV b E
o o
b
b o S6
Lb S6 Lb
Lb S2
S2 S4
S4
S4
n
S2
n n

(a) (b) (c)

p p
p p
S1 S3 S1 S3
S1 S3 S1 S3
La
La ' La a
a a La
'F 'F ' S5 '
S6 ' U dc E
U dc 'F S5 E U dc E S6 a
PV PV PV b PV U dc 'F
' 'F S6 S5 S6
'F S5 Lb E
' o o o
'F b b ' '
Lb Lb 'F b o
S2 S4 S2 S4 Lb
S2 S4 S2 S4
n n
n n

(d) (e) (f) (g)

Fig. 6. A family of single-phase inverters with unidirectional clamping circuits.

444
 p
S1

S3
S5 La
a E
PV
o
b
S6
Lb

S4

S2
n

(a)

p
S1

S3
Fig. 8. Modulation illustration.
S5 La
Mode 4: When S2 and S3 are off, the current flows through
a
PV E S6, D2 and grid successively. The common-mode voltage is
o
b
Lb uan + ubn udc / 2 + udc / 2 udc
S6 ucm = = = (6)
2 2 2
S4
When the potential of points a and b falls to lower than that
n
S2 of the midpoint of DC link, the common-mode current flows
through D3, thus it will balance the potential of freewheeling
(b) path. On the other hand, when the potential of points a and b
rises to higher than that of the midpoint of DC link, the
p
S1
common-mode current will flow through D4 and balance the
potential of two bridges. Thus, the common-mode voltage can
S3
keep constant during the whole fundamental period.
S5 La
The corresponding modulation strategy is shown in Fig. 8,
where S1-S6 are the gating signals of proposed inverters in Fig.
a
E 6(b).
PV
o
b B. Implementation of Bidirectional Clamping Circuits
S6
Lb
As indicated by Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, three switches combined
S4 together with the common emitters or common collectors can
form a bidirectional freewheeling path. Also, the clamping
S2 circuit can be inserted in the traditional H-bridge inverter as
n
generalized in Fig. 3. Fig. 9 shows the produced topologies
(c) using bidirectional clamping circuits, which makes up a family
of neutral-point-clamped single-phase inverters. In particular,
p Fig. 9(a) and (d) show the topologies with clamping circuits
S1
inserted between dc-link and H-bridge as indicated by Fig. 3(a)
S3 [9]. And Fig. 9(b), (c), (e) and (f) show that the clamping
circuits can be inserted in any phase-leg to form a freewheeling
S5 La path, which correspond to the general indication of Fig. 3(b)
a
and (c).
PV E
b
o In order to briefly illustrate the operational principle of
S6
Lb proposed single-phase inverters with bidirectional clamping
circuits, the topology of Fig. 9(b) is assumed as an example,
S4 which has four operation modes. Fig.10 shows the specific
current flow paths during the energy transferring modes and
S2
n the freewheeling modes. When the potential of points a and b
falls to lower than that of the midpoint of DC link in the
(d)
Fig. 7. Four operating modes of the proposed topology in Fig. 6(b).

445
 p p p
S1 S3 S1 S3 S1 S3
La La
La a a
S6 S6
a E
b
E
PV E PV PV o
b
S5 Lb
b o
S5 o S5 Lb
S2 S4 Lb S2 S4 S2
S6 S 4

n n n

(a) (b) (c)

p p p
S1 S3 S1 S3 S1 S3
S6
S6 La La
a
S5 La
a
E S5
PV PV E PV
a
b S6 E
o o o
Lb b b
S2 S4 S2 S4 Lb S2 S4 Lb
S5
n n n

(d) (e) (f)

Fig. 9. A family of single-phase inverters with bidirectional clamping circuits.
freewheeling modes, the common-mode current flows through
S7, thus it will balance the potential of freewheeling path. On
the other hand, when the potential of points a and b rises to
higher than that of the midpoint of DC link, the common-mode
current will flow through S7 and balance the potential of two
bridges either. Thus, the common-mode voltage can keep
constant during the whole fundamental period.
The corresponding modulation strategy is also shown in Fig.
8, where S1-S7 are the gating signals of proposed inverters in
Fig. 9(b).
V. COMPARISON WITH OTHER NPC TOPOLOGIES
To make a specific analysis of the two families of novel
NPC inverters, a comparison between the proposed topologies
and the traditional NPC inverters is shown in this section.
Fig. 11 shows the traditional NPC single phase inverters
[11-12], which also have the function of clamping the common
mode voltage to half of the DC link voltage during the
freewheeling period. From the point of cost and losses, the
comparative analysis is given in Table I. Firstly, in the aspect
of device cost, the topologies in Fig. 9 with the bidirectional
circuits only need 7 switches, which save 1 switch compared to
that in Fig. 11(b) and 2 diodes compared to that in Fig 11(a),
respectively. So, the novel inverters have lower cost. Secondly,
in the aspect of efficiency, the novel NPC topologies have the
TABLE I. THE COMPARISON OF THE NPC TOPOLOGIES
power
topologies switches diodes
modes
Fig 6 6 4 2(3)switches
Fig 9 7 0 2(3)switches
Fig 11(a) 6 2 4switches
Fig 11(b) 8 0 4(2)switches
advantages in the conduction loss. In the power delivering
modes, the current flows through only 2 or 3 devices in
proposed topologies and 2 devices in the freewheeling modes,
which is less than the topologies in Fig 11. Finally, in the
aspect of control complexity, the NPC circuits in Fig. 6 and Fig.
9 are simpler compared to Fig. 11(b).
VI. SIMULATION AND EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
The simulation and experimental results are shown in this
section. The proposed inverters in Fig. 6(b) and Fig. 9(b) were
simulated in Matlab/Simulink. The DC voltage is 200V, and
the grid voltage is 110V/50Hz. The switching frequency is
10kHz. The output inductors are both 2mH. The stray
capacitance between PV array and ground is 470nF. The grid
current is controlled by a conventional PR controller. Fig. 12
shows the comparison of the common-mode characteristics of
traditional H6 inverter and proposed inverters with the
unidirectional neutral clamping circuits and the bidirectional
neutral clamping circuits. The proposed topologies can achieve
a more constant common-mode voltage and low leakage
current. Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 show the switching sequences of
two inverters proposed in Fig. 6(b) and Fig. 9(b).
In order to further validate the proposed topologies and the
modulation strategies, the 1kW experimental prototypes were
built with the same parameters as the simulation model. The
experimental results are shown in Fig. 15 and 16. It is noted
that the common mode voltage of proposed circuits have less
variation as shown in Fig. 16.
VII. CONCLUSION
This paper generalizes the neutral-point-clamped circuits
with unidirectional and bidirectional current flow capability.
freewheeling Then this paper implements the specific circuits in single-phase
modes photovoltaic inverters, where two families of single-phase
1switch+1diode inverters are fully analyzed. Doing so, the common mode
2switches
2switches voltage of single-phase inverter can be effectively maintained
4switches constant as half of dc-link voltage. Besides, a hybrid switching
modulation strategy can be assumed to command these new
inverters. The simulation and experimental results verified the
performance of proposed inverters.

446
 p
S1 S3
La
a
S6
E
PV b

S5 Lb
S2 S4

n
(a)
(a)
p
S1 S3
La
a
S6
E
PV b

6 S5 Lb
S2 S4

n
(b)
(b) Fig. 11. Traditional neutral point clamped topologies

p
S1 S3 REFERENCES
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Fig. 13. The switching sequences of the proposed inverter in Fig. 6(b) Fig. 14. The switching sequences of the proposed inverter in Fig. 9(b).

(a) (b)
Fig. 15. (a) The gating signals of proposed inverter in Fig. 6; (b) the detailed switching sequences.

448
 (a)

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proposed inverter in Fig. 6(b) and (c) the proposed inverter in Fig. 9(b).

449