ELG4139: DC to AC Converters

Converts DC to AC power by
switching the DC input voltage (or
current) in a pre-determined
sequence so as to generate AC
voltage (or current) output.
I I
DC ac

+ +
V V
DC ac



 Harmonics Filtering
DC SUPPLY INVERTER(LOW PASS) FILTER LOAD
L

+ +
C
vO 1 v O2




BEFORE FILTERING AFTER FILTERING

vO 1 v
O2

Output of the inverter is “chopped AC voltage with zero DC component”. It

contain harmonics. An LC section low-pass filter is normally fitted at the inverter
output to reduce the high frequency harmonics. In some applications such as
UPS, “high purity” sine wave output is required. Good filtering is a must.
In some applications such as AC motor drive, filtering may not required.
 Single Phase Half-Bridge Inverter
S1 ON
Vdc S2 OFF
+
V S1 2
C1

-
V +
V dc o 0
G t
RL
+
V C2
S 2

-  Vdc
2 S1 OFF
S2 ON

Also known as the Inverter Leg!

Both capacitors have the same value. Thus the DC link is equally
spilt into two. The top and bottom switch has to be
complementary. Meaning, If the top switch is closed (ON), the
bottom must be OFF, and vice-versa.
 Q1 on, Q2 off, vo = Vs/2

Peak Reverse Voltage of Q2 = Vs

Q1 off, Q2 on, vo = -Vs/2
 Single Phase Full Bridge
V RG
V dc
2
LEG R LEG R'  2 t
+
V
dc  Vdc
2 S1 S3 V R 'G 2
+ - V dc
V -
o 2
Vdc R R'
G  2 t
-

+  Vdc
V 2
dc S4 S2 Vo
2
Vdc
-

V V V  2 t
o RG R 'G

G is " virtual groumd"

 Vdc

Single phase full bridge is built from two half-bridge leg. The switching in
the second leg is delayed by 180 degrees from the first leg.
Q1-Q2 on, Q3-Q4 off, vo = Vs

+ Vs -
Q3-Q4 on, Q1-Q2 off, vo = -Vs

- Vs +
 Performance Parameters
• Harmonic factor of the nth harmonic (HFn)
V
on
HFn V for n>1
o1

Von = rms value of the nth harmonic component

V01 = rms value of the fundamental component

• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): Measures the “closeness”

in shape between a waveform and its fundamental component
 1
1  on
THD  V ( V 2 )2
o1 n2,3,...
Design Constraints of a Pure Sine wave Inverter

Quantity Details
Voltage Convert 12VDC to 120 VAC

Power Provide 300 W continuous

Efficiency > 90% efficiency

Waveform Pure 60 Hz sinusoidal
Total Harmonic < 5% THD
Distortion

Physical Dimensions 8” x 4.75” x 2.5”

Cost $175.00
 Required Components for Design

12 V DC Input
from vehicle battery)

PWM Control Half-bridge

Transformer
Circuit Converter

Low-pass Full-bridge Sinusoidal PWM

Filter Inverter Controller

120
 PWM Controller

• Produces two complementary

pulses to control half-bridge
transistors.

• Problem:
– Voltage may drop when the
input voltage is decreased.

• Solution:
– A feedback network may
be added for voltage
regulation.
 Pulse Width Modulation
1

Sinusoidal modulating
t1 t2 Carrier, vc(t)
waveform, vm(t)
Modulating Waveform Carrier waveform
1
M1
2
 t
0

1

Regular sampling waveform, vs (t)

V
dc
2
t'1 t'2

0 t t t t t
t

V
0 2 3 4 5

v t
pwm
 dc

Regular sampling PWM

Triangulation method (Natural sampling). Amplitudes of the triangular wave

(carrier) and sine wave (modulating) are compared to obtain PWM
waveform. Analogue comparator may be used. Basically an analogue
method. Its digital version, known as REGULAR sampling is widely used
in industry.
 Software Flow Diagram
(Dr. Yaroslav Koshka)

Initialize all
variables

no 300 duty cycle yes

Count0 = 300 (300 duty cycles) values?

Output 1 = high, Output 2 = low

Output 1 = low, Output 2 = high
duty cycle table (increment pointer)

Decrement Count0 by 1
cycle and sampling period timer

no One Sampling ye
no Has duty cycle been yes Period? s
reached?
 Low-pass Filter

nd
• 2 order L-C filter
– Filters to retain a
60 Hz fundamental
frequency
– Few components
– Handle current
– Wind inductor
(fine tune)
PCB Layout
 Case Study: Solar System Using Inverters
Stand Alone; Simple Grid Tied; Grid Tie with Battery

Solar Schoolhouse and San Mateo College

 Simple Grid-Connected System

Utility

Solar Array

Inverter Distribution
Panel
 Subpanel

Solar AC in
from Inverter

Lightning surge
arrestor
 Stand Alone Residential System

Solar Array

Distribution Panel
Charge AC
Controller DC to AC Inverter

Battery
Distribution Panel
DC
Small Stand
Solar Array
Alone
System

(to power an
Charge
office) Control

Storage:
Battery

“Fuel Gauge”

Inverter DC to
AC