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EFFECT OF LEAKAGE CURRENT IN THE PV

TRANSFORMER- LESS INVERTER TOPOLOGY

Article · April 2016

DOI: 10.4010/2016.758

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6 authors, including:

Md. Noman Habib Khan Md Taosif Anowar

Uttara University Uttara University
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DOI 10.4010/2016.758
ISSN 2321 3361 © 2016 IJESC

Research Article Volume 6 Issue No. 4

Effect of Leakage Current in the PV Transformer-Less Inverter

Topology
M. N. H. Khan1, M. T. Anowar 2, M. D. Hossen 3, K. A. Jamil4, M. S. Zahan5, M. M. Alam6
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Uttara University, House-4 & 6, Road-15, Sector-6, Uttara Model Town, Uttara, Dhaka, Bangladesh 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
International Islamic University Malaysia, P.O. Box 10, 50728 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia4

Abstract:
The Photovoltaic (PV) is well known and becoming popular due to cost-effective as well as easy operating features especially in
transformer-less inverter-based grid-tied distribution generation systems. Photovoltaic (PV) grid connected converter without
transformer is associated with the problem of non-existent galvanic isolation as a result of transformer absence. This system is
helping to reduce the leakage current which is occurred through the making paths from PV penal to ground. Moreover, some
topologies propose for omitting this abysmal common mode leakage current. In this paper has been discussed the transformer-less
inverter topology and the wave shapes of before and after using High Order Low Pass Filter (HOLPF). Later on in this paper will
show the effect of Parasitic Capacitor (PC) in the transformer-less inverter system.

Keywords: Photovoltaic (PV) panel, Leakage Current (LC), Transformer-less Inverter, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM),
MOSFETs, Converter, Low Pass Filter (LPF).

I. INTRODUCTION
The solar panel uses are increased dramatically for high
performance and cost less especially in electricity generation.
Moreover, it is fully environmentally positive and energy
efficient as well rather than using biogas, wind, hydro and so
on [1]. Solar energy panels are using in different places such
as hotels, restaurants, even large companies and hence, the
importance of using solar panel is huge. The Photovoltaic
(PV) panel is highly part and parcel not only for transformer
based system but transformer-less system too. In both
purposes, it bears the positive results. Maximum PV-to- grid
connection is based on single-phase inverters which are
followed by single-phase transformer. Although transformer
helps in galvanic isolation between the PV panel and the grid,
however, it leads to increase in loss of power, and hence loss
in revenue [2-3]. As transformer less inverter topologies are
very light as well as less complex to maintaining, people
choice these days are going up [4]. Grid-connection of solar
panels needs inverters for interfacing between the PV-panels
[5]. Solar cells which are the semiconductor devices that
converted the sun-light into fluctuated direct current (DC)
electricity [6]. Nowadays, the prices of PV panel are
becoming cheaper after manufacturing cost reduction [7].
Due to some merits such as light weight and low cost, the
topologies of transformer-less inverter system are roaring
popular [8]. However, it has very common problem which is
common mode leakage issue due to Parasitic Capacitor (PC).
Hence, the leakage current is flows in between PV panel to
ground [8-11].
(PWM). To improve the output wave shapes, here will use
High Order Low Pass Filter (HOLPF). Hence, it’s possible to
achieve accurate sine wave. After that, here will show the
effect of leakage current with different values of Parasitic
Capacitor (PC).
II. SWITCHING CONDITION OF AN INVERTER
In the Inverter system most vital part is switching that can be
done by different ways. Here used MOSFET as a switch and
the given figure 1 shows four MOSFET based switches
connected in alternatively where S1 and S4 is working in
positive cycle where as rest of two (S3 and S2) worked in
negative cycle. On the other hand, these four switches are
working by Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) circuit. In
additionally, here used simple PWM with 5 volts and the using
duty cycle is 50%. As an input, here is used 12V DC which is
achieved from solar cell. However, achieving voltage from
solar cell was fluctuated that fixed up accurate DC through
DC/DC converter.
Figure 1: Four switched base Inverter

In the figure 2 is the simulated graph of above circuit. In the

In this paper will discuss the transformer-less inverter
time of positive half cycle S1 and S4 are in on condition and
topologies which is used switches for inverting process and
signal will go through load. On the other hand, the negative
the switches are controlled through Pulse Width Modulation

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cycle goes through the load when rest of two switches is in on
condition. When S2 and S3 is in on mode where other two is
off conditions. Hence, in figure 2 has gotten the square wave
shape as an inverter output.
Figure 2: Simulated result of an Inverter
Figure 3 and 4 has been shown the using 50% duty cycle wave
shapes where figure 3 is the shows the positive pulse whereas
figure 4 is the negative one. Both of the figures are
represented for on the switches and positive one is used of S1
and S4 and negative one is used for rest of two switches.
Figure 3: Positive pulse
Figure 4: Negative pulse
III. LOW PASS FILTER APPEARING IN THE SYSTEM
Low pass filter is needed for passing low signals where high
signals are protested to pass in the system. By using this
technique easily can achieve the sine wave from square wave.
As in the inverter circuit simulation result got square wave
that can be made sine wave after adding High Order Low Pass
Filter (HOLPF). In figure 5 has been shown the inverter where
HOLPF is added.
Figure 5: HOLPF is applied with Inverter
In the figure 6 is shown the simulated result of above circuit
and inside the figure has indicated the order. Highest four
order low pass filter is used and each order based result has
been shown. First order low pass filter is shown the curving
International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, April 2016
figure where the output was fully square wave. In addition,
after increasing the order, it is possible to achieve accurate
sine wave that shown in figure 6. However, the voltage
amplitude is declined gradually.
Figure 6: Simulated graph after HOLPF is applied with
Inverter
IV. PARASITIC CAPACITANCE PRESENT CONDITION
Parasitic Capacitance (PC) is automatically created capacitor
which is normally occurred in between PV panel to ground.
Due to PC, inverter load is affected highly. Before occurring
the PC, the output voltage was around same as input voltage
hence, around 12V. However, in figure 7 is shown the CPV-G
in the inverter and after simulating this circuit, the achieving
output has been shown in figure 8 where the voltage is spiking
in the on time switching condition. Moreover, the voltage
label is highly decreased with milivolt (mV) range.
Figure 7: Parasitic Capacitor (PC) based Inverter
Figure 8: Effect of PC in the output
On the other hand, the effect of PC is also shown after adding
different order of LPF that shown in figure 9 and the simulated
result is shown in figure 10 where clearly shown the bad effect
of automatic generated PC. The graph shows the same like
without generating the PC. However, the different is the
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amplitude which is flowing down dramatically in milivolt
(mV) range.
Figure 9: PC appearing in the overall system
Figure 10: Wave shapes after HOLPF added.
V. LEAKAGE CURRENT ISSUES
In this section, here will be shown the leakage current for
different values of PC. First of all, in figure 11 shows for 1µf
PC where the leakage current is flowing to ground through PC
when switch is in on time and the value is nearly 700pA.
Figure 11: Leakage current when assume 1uf
For 1pf PC, the flowing leakage current is nearly 200pA and
this current is also flowing in both positive and negative side
in the on time situation. On the other hand, switch off time
condition, no leakage current is flowed.
International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, April 2016
Figure 12: Leakage current when assume 1pf
Sometime one of the PC is appeared in between two sides of
PV panel and leakage current is occurred as well through this
PC. This current is showed only one time when the overall
system is on and the range of current is very small.
Figure 13: When extra leakage current is present in between
PV panel
VI. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Photovoltaic Panel is highly using in transformer-less inverter
system due to system cost reduce and power efficiency incline
as well. The common issue is arising in this system which is
leakage current and wave shapes of output. In the case of
wave shapes of output is square wave that achieve through
switching conditions with appropriate loss less wave shapes
where input and output value is same. However, here change
this output by different order low pass filters. Hence, four
order low pass filter shows good sine wave compared to less
order of low pass filers. Moreover, after increasing of order,
amplitude values are going down gradually. Furthermore, here
shows the effect of parasitic capacitance that automatically
generated in the system. Due to PC, leakage current is flowed
directly to ground where the overall system shows bad effect.
Hence, the output wave shapes as well as amplitude changed.
Finally, assumed two values of PC and showed the wave
shapes of leakage current for these values.
VII. CONCLUSION
Photovoltaic panel for no transformer inverter system is
radically developed by doing deep research through
researcher. Hence, the main problem that is leakage current
issue which is almost erase soon. This paper is present the
inverter system where the four switches are used through the
PWM and also showed the affect of HOLPF. In additionally
showed the bad effect of automatically generated PC and the
wave shapes of different values of PC.
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 VIII. REFERENCE
[1] Khan, M. N. H., et al. "Leakage Current Paths in PV
Transformer-Less Single-Phase Inverter Topology and
Its Mitigation through PWM for
Switching." International Journal of Power Electronics
and Drive Systems, 6(1), (2015): 148-159.

[2] Khan, H., Noman, M., Khan, S., Gunawan, T. S., &
Shahid, Z. (2013, November). DC-AC inverter with
perspective of common mode and wave-shaping.
In Smart Instrumentation, Measurement and
Applications (ICSIMA), 2013 IEEE International
Conference on (pp. 1-5). IEEE.

[3] Giampaolo Buticchi et al “Digital Control of Actual

Grid-Connected Converters for Ground Leakage
Current Reduction in PV Transformer-less Systems”
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL
INFORMATICS, VOL. 8, NO. 3, AUGUST 2012

[4] Khan, M. N. H., et al.” A Double PWM Source Inverter

Technique with Reduced Leakage Current for
Application on Standalone Systems.” International
Journal of Electrical, Computer, Energetic, Electronic
and Communication Engineering, 2015, 9(2), 246-251.

[5] oeren Baekhoej Kjaer and Frede Blaabjerg “Design

Optimization of a Single Phase Inverter for
Photovoltaic Applications” IEEE CONFERENCE
PUBLICATIONS, 2003 , Page(s): 1183 - 1190 vol.3

[6] Adda Ravindranath et al”Analysis and PWM Control of

Switched Boost Inverter”IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON
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[7] T. Kerekes et al, “Transformerless Photovoltaic Inverters

Connected to the Grid”, Applied Power Electronics
Conference, APEC 2007 - Twenty Second Annual
IEEE

[8] Khan, M. N. H., Gunawan, T. S., Rahman, M. T., &

Khan, S. (2014, September). Evaluation of Various
Leakage Current Paths with Different Switching
Conditions. In Computer and Communication
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on (pp. 269-272). IEEE.

[9] Abhishek Garg and Rajasekar.S, “A New Modulation

Technique to Eliminate Leakage Current in
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[10] G. Buticchi et al, “Compensation Strategy of Actual

Commutations for PV Transformerless Grid-Connected
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[11] D. Barater et al, “A new proposal for ground leakage

current reduction in Transformerless Grid-Connected
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