MSE 391 Power Electronics

Lab 3 Single Phase DC-AC Inverter

Student name: Alex Mui
Student number: 301141366

Student name: Bryce Wu
Student number: 301166999









Lab 2
Dr. Jason Wang
6/10/2014
Abstract
As part of this lab, we designed and built a DC-AC inverter using Simulink, with PWM and square wave
operation modes. As a result of this, we were able to measure various waveforms and THD/harmonics.
We found that the PWM mode is superior to the square wave operation mode due to the improved
output waveform, and reduced harmonics.
Introduction
For this lab, we needed to design a single phase DC-AC full bridge inverter using Simulink. This inverter
has two operation modes, square wave operation and PWM operation. The design of the inverter is
optimized for PWM operation mode, with PWM implementation done by comparing a triangular carrier
wave with a sine wave, with

. The resulting signal is sent to gates 1 and 2, with the

inverse sent to 3 and 4. To enable square-wave operation mode, a 60Hz carrier wave is simply compared
to 0, and depending on the result, will turn on gates 1 and 2, or 3 and 4.
Theory

Where

is true power and

is reactive power

Where is 2f

Where is 2f

))

The sum of coefficient of each first 6 terms is

b)

Where is 2f

+.

Simulation Results
PWM mode

Figure 1 - PWM circuit diagram
This is the implementation of a PWM controlled DC-AC inverter. The gate logic is controlled by
comparing a triangle wave with a sine wave, with the triangle wave having 15 times the frequency, and
the same amplitude. This signal is then sent to gates 1 and 2, with gates 3 and 4 receiving the opposite
signal.

Figure 2 PWM operation mode waveforms
The gate, voltage and current waveforms are in line with what is expected from theory. The voltage
across the load is approximately sinusoidal, and due to simulation sample time constraints, some of the
carrier waveform may be lost, resulting in a slightly irregular gating signal The total harmonic distortion
for V_AB is nearly 1, as expected due to V_AB being a function of the voltage from the PWM controlled
output, which while periodic, has many discontinuities. The total harmonic distortion needs to complete
one period before it can be accurately measured.


Figure 3 - PWM harmonic, V_AB


Figure 4 - PWM harmonic, current I_o
As seen here, there are almost no low order harmonics, and the higher order ones can be filtered with a
low pass filter.

As seen here, the harmonics have much higher amplitude when compared to the amplitude in the
output current as expected.



Square Wave Operation
The circuit is almost exactly the same as the previous, with only 2 parameter changes. Instead of
comparing to a sine wave, the function is simply compared to zero, and the frequency of the carrier
wave is 60Hz, to produce a square wave with the correct frequency.

Figure 5 - Square wave operation waveforms
The waveforms are as expected, with the voltage and current being much less sinusoidal, and while the
total harmonic distortion of V_AB is roughly halved, the THD of the output current has increased, which
is undesirable.



Questions
1. If we use Unipolar PWM to operate the inverter, what impact does it have on the load current?
The purpose of unipolar PWM is to allow the inverter to have a load state where the applied voltage is
zero, rather than driving it opposite whenever the load is flipped.
If L in the load is increased while total load impedance is kept at rated, what change can be expected in
the output voltage and current waveforms?
The output voltage and current waveforms will be more regular, however, the peak and RMS values will
be decreased and the output may no longer be able to supply the load with enough power.

Conclusion & Recommendations
As a result of this lab we learned to operate a single phase DC-AC rectifier in two operation modes,
bipolar PWM and square wave. We found that the PWM operation mode significantly reduced the THD
and provide a superior AC waveform to the load when compared to squarewave operation. In addition,
the harmonics are higher order, so they can be filtered using a low-pass filter. As a result, whenever
possible, PWM is recommended for DC-AC rectifier use, because of the improved response.