ABSTRACT

Inverters are simple electrical /electronic device that has been used to
convert DC power to AC. DC is preferable for some applications,
particularly running DC motors while AC motors like those used in
industries may require single or three phase AC power. AC power is
more efficient than DC and thus become world standard. AC cannot be
stored since it is used as it is produced. As an alternative source of
power, an inverter is incorporated to renewable energy system to
produce conventional AC current that can be used to drive three phase
motors. This seminar work aims at designing a three phase 2kva
inverter as an advancement to the traditional single phase type. Most
inverters designed in the past are single phased and therefore limit
their application to home appliances. Today power instability has also
hindered so many advancements and processes in the industries
leading to the need for an alternative power like a three phase
inverter. The inverter circuit is design to consist of a MOSFET Hex-
bridge, integrated gate drive, and additional related circuitry. It
operates from a nominal 48v dc source to provide a 24v rms, quasi-
square wave output. The inverter is capable of supplying a 200A peak
current. Integrated circuitry is used to generate the three phase,
400Hz reference signals. Performance data for a drive stage that
improves switching speed and provides efficient operation over a range
of output current and drive supply voltage are presented and a
transformerless transistor output stage is used.

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of Study

This seminar work discuses the design of a three-phase inverter with a

circuit arrangement having a DC-voltage input for at least one direct
voltage source, and a three-phase alternating voltage output for
driving a three phase motor or feeding into a three-phase alternating
voltage mains. The three phase 2kva inverter comprises a three-phase
bridge circuit as well as at least one divided intermediate circuit and it
is configured to be transformer less. The neutral conductor of the
mains is separated from the central point of the intermediate circuit
and the inverter output is connected to an alternating voltage mains
via a three-conductor connection.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

Industries using three phase devices like induction motors suffer a lot
from the menace of power instability and have invested a lot in
alternative means like the power generators which has many
disadvantages like noise and other forms of pollution. The main
objective of this project is to have a device which ensures that there is
a three phase alternative power source in case of any form of power
failure from utility power supply. A three phase inverter is an
electrical or electro-mechanical device that converts direct current
(DC) to alternating current (AC); the resulting AC in this case must be

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of three phase and should be able to supply a maximum power of
2kva.

1.3 USES OF THE PROJECT

An inverter converts the DC electricity from sources such as

batteries, solar panels, or fuel cells to AC electricity. The electricity in
this case can be at any required voltage; in particular it can operate
three phase AC equipment designed for mains operation, or rectified to
produce DC at any desired voltage. Grid tie inverters can feed energy
back into the distribution network because they produce alternating
current with the same wave shape and frequency as supplied by the
distribution system. They can also switch ON automatically in the
event of a blackout. Micro-inverters convert direct current from
individual solar panels into alternating current for the electric grid.

1.3.1 INVERTER AND UPS

An uninterruptible power supply is a device which supplies the stored

electrical power to the load in case of raw power cut-off or blackout.
One type of UPS uses batteries to store power and an inverter to
supply AC power from the batteries when main power is not available.
When main power is restored, a rectifier is used to supply DC power to
recharge the batteries.

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Description and Block Diagram:

A generalized block diagram representing a three phase inverter is

as seen below. A speed command is given to the controls team, and a
digital switching signal is generated. These switching signals are sent
to the hex-bridge through a gate driver chip. The hex-bridge takes as
input a 200V DC bus voltage and the switching signals to produce a
balanced three-phase sinusoidal output which drives the induction
machine.

DC Bus FET Hex Induction

Voltage Bridge Motor

Gate Drive

Speed Switching
Command Signals

Figure 1: Block Diagram

1.2 Performance and Design Specifications:

The three-phase inverter needs to be able to handle 200 volts

DC ± 5V. At this voltage the inverter must meet the following
specifications:

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• Motor speed control between 150-5000 RPM
• Drive a 50-500W load at nominal speed of 1500 RPM
• Three-phase sinusoidal output current
• At least 70% efficiency under all operating conditions
• MTBF > 10 years1

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CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

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References:

[1] Jonathan Kimball, “Future Energy Challenge Fall 2004 Course

Notes”, class notes for ENG 491 FEC, Depart. Of Electrical and
Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign, Fall 2004.

[2] Fairchild Semiconductor, “FQP17N40 Datasheet”, December 2000,

http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/FQ/FQP17N40.pdf

[3] International Rectifier, Appl. Notes 978 & 985.

[4] Energy Information Administration, “November 2004 Executive

Summary”, December 2004,
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/epm_sum.html