DC and AC power electronic topologies – modulation for the control of rotating-field motors

• Published in: Electrical Machine Drives Control pp. 147 - 190
• Main Authors: Hrabovcova, Valeria, Pyrhonen, Juha, Semken, R. Scott
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United Kingdom John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated 2016; John Wiley & Sons Ltd
• Subjects: alternating current motors; cycloconverters; direct current link converters; high‐power electrical drives; matrix converter technology; neutral point clamped inverters; space vector modulation; voltage source inverter
• ISBN: 1119260450; 9781119260455
• DOI: 10.1002/9781119260479.ch7

In principle, alternating current (AC) motors can be controlled using a direct converter or a converter with an intermediate direct current (DC) link. The matrix converter is an emerging frequency converter technology that promises to replace DC‐link converters. This converter type requires bidirectional switches. In a matrix converter, each input phase can be connected to each output phase. This chapter examines the operating principles of the most popular converter technologies. Cycloconverters are commonly applied to slow‐speed high‐power drives, such as propeller motor drives in ships. Voltage source inverter (VSIs) are applied to control of all kinds of rotating‐field machines. Neutral point clamped (NPC) inverters are best adapted to high‐power electrical drives. Matrix converter technology provides direct AC‐to‐AC power conversion. Multilevel inverters have recently been the subject of intensive research activity. Space vector modulation (SVM) of multilevel inverters can be carried out similarly as for two‐level and three‐level inverters.