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.
IDC Iac

+ +

VDC Vac


 Harmonics Filtering
DC SUPPLY INVERTER (LOW PASS) FILTER LOAD
L
+ +
C
vO 1 vO 2

BEFORE FILTERING AFTER FILTERING

vO 1 vO 2

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
+
S1 2
VC1
-
V +
Vdc o
G 0
t
RL
+
VC2 S2
- 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
VRG
Vdc
2
LEG R LEG R' p 2p wt
+
Vdc Vdc
S1 S3
2 VR 'G 2
+ - Vdc
+ Vo - 2
Vdc R R'
G p 2p wt
-
+ Vdc

2
Vdc S4 S2 Vo
2
Vdc
-
p 2p wt
Vo = V RG VR '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)

Von
HFn = for n>1
Vo1
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
THD = ( Von2 ) 2
Vo1 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 VAC,
60 Hz, 300 W
Output
 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 h( x) = if ( k ( x) c ( x) 1 if ( k ( x) c ( x) 1 0) )
1

t 1 t2 Sinusoidal modulating Carrier, vc(t)

waveform, vm(t)
Modulating Waveform Carrier waveform
+1
M1

2p
t
0 p

1
Regular sampling waveform, vs (t )
Vdc t'1 t'2
2

0 t0 t1 t 2 t3 t 4 t 5
v pwm t
Vdc

2

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
Duty cycle and sampling period timer

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

2nd 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