Simulation of Three Phase Inverter on Simulink

A Project Reported submitted to

Department of Electrical Engineering,
Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal

Bachelor of Technology, Electrical Engineering

Submitted by

GROUP8 (Thursday BATCH)

Amarnath Tiwari (2211301216)

Jai Bhagtani (2211301217)
Harsh Narayan Garg (2211301218)
Sanya Khandelwal (2211301219)
Manas Chaturvedi (2211301220)

Department Of Electrical Engineering

Maulana Azad National institute of Technology
Bhopal
INTRODUCTION

Three-phase inverters are essential in various industrial applications where

converting DC power into three-phase AC power is required, such as in
renewable energy systems, motor drives, and power grid systems. A three-phase
inverter efficiently converts the DC input into a three-phase AC output by
switching the DC voltage at high frequency through semiconductor devices. This
allows for flexible control of the AC output’s frequency, amplitude, and phase.

In this experiment, we will design and simulate a three-phase inverter under

different load conditions, including Resistive (R), Resistive-Inductive (RL), and
Resistive-Inductive-Back EMF (RLE) loads, using MATLAB/SIMULINK. By modeling
and simulating the inverter, we can analyze its performance, evaluate its
efficiency, and understand its behavior under various operational conditions. The
study of these characteristics is vital for optimizing inverter designs for specific
applications, such as motor drives or power conversion in industrial systems.

The simulation provides valuable insights into how switching sequences, pulse
width modulation (PWM), and load conditions impact the inverter’s output
quality, harmonics, and overall performance.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this project is:

1. To Analyze Output Characteristics:

o Observe the changes in output voltage, current waveforms, and
their harmonic content under different load conditions (R, RL, RLE)
applied to the three-phase inverter.
2. Study of Voltage and Current Variations:
o Investigate the behavior of voltage and current waveforms for
different types of loads, including Resistive (R), Resistive-Inductive
(RL), and Resistive-Inductive-Back EMF (RLE), and analyze how these
loads affect the overall system performance.
3. Harmonic and Power Quality Analysis:
 o Analyze the harmonic content, Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), and
other power quality factors in the inverter's output for different load
conditions, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
4. Impact of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM):
o Study the effects of different PWM techniques on the output voltage
waveform quality, switching losses, and inverter efficiency, aiming
for optimized control in various applications.

THREE-PHASE INVERTER

1.1 Introduction:

In many industrial applications, converting DC voltage into three-phase AC

voltage is essential for powering devices such as motors, pumps, and other three-
phase loads. This is achieved through a DC-AC converter, commonly known as an
inverter. A three-phase inverter plays a critical role in renewable energy systems,
motor drives, and other industrial applications, offering efficient energy
conversion while providing flexibility in controlling the frequency, amplitude, and
phase of the output.

A three-phase inverter converts DC input into three-phase AC output, providing

three output voltages with 120-degree phase shifts between them. This feature
ensures smooth and balanced operation for AC loads. MATLAB/SIMULINK is
widely used for designing and simulating three-phase inverters due to its
flexibility and ease of implementation.

1.2 Basic Principle of Three-Phase Inverter:

A three-phase inverter is a power electronic device that converts DC voltage into

a three-phase AC voltage using a series of high-speed switches such as Insulated
Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) or MOSFETs. The inverter’s functionality is highly
dependent on switching techniques and modulation strategies that help control
the waveform characteristics and output quality.
Basic Working Principle:

The operation of a three-phase inverter can be divided into several key

components:

1. Switching Mechanism: The inverter consists of six switches arranged in a

three-leg structure, with each leg containing two switches. These switches
are responsible for generating alternating current (AC) outputs. By turning
the switches on and off in a specific sequence, the inverter generates
three-phase AC voltage at the output.
2. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM): Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is
commonly used to control the switching of the inverter. By modulating the
width of the pulses, the average voltage delivered to the load can be
adjusted, which in turn controls the frequency and amplitude of the
output AC voltage. The inverter produces a series of high-frequency
switching pulses, which are filtered to produce a smooth AC output.
3. Energy Conversion: During each switching period, the inverter converts
the DC input into positive and negative half-cycles of AC voltage for each
phase. By maintaining a 120-degree phase shift between the three phases,
the inverter ensures balanced three-phase AC power output, suitable for
operating motors and other three-phase loads.
4. Control of Output Voltage and Frequency: The output voltage and
frequency of the inverter are determined by the modulation index (which
controls the output voltage magnitude) and the switching frequency
(which determines the output AC frequency). By adjusting these
parameters, the inverter can be used for applications requiring variable
speed and voltage control, such as motor drives.
5. Harmonics and Filtering: The high-frequency switching used in the
inverter introduces harmonics in the output waveform. Filters (LC filters or
passive filters) are often used at the output to smooth the waveform and
reduce harmonic distortion, ensuring a high-quality AC output.
1.3 Type of Inverters :

1.3.1 Single-phase Half-wave Rectifier :

The single-phase half-wave rectifier uses a single thyristor to control the load
voltage as shown in Fig. 11.2. The thyristor will conduct, on-state, when the voltage
vT is positive and a firing current pulse iG is applied to the gate terminal. The
control of the load voltage is performed by delaying the firing pulse by an angle α.
The firing angle α is measured from the position where a diode would naturally
conduct. In case of Fig. 11.2 the angle α is measured from the zero-crossing point
of the supply voltage vs. The load in Fig. 11.2 is resistive and therefore the current
id has the same waveform of the load voltage. The thyristor goes to the non-
conducting condition, off-state, when the load voltage, and consequently the
current, reaches a negative value. The load average voltage is given by

where Vmax is the supply peak voltage. Hence, it can be seen from Eq. (11.1) that
changing the firing angle α controls both the load average voltage and the
amount of transferred power.
1.3.2 Single-phase Bridge Rectifier :

Figure 11.6a shows a fully controlled bridge rectifier, which uses four thyristors to
control the average load voltage. In addition, Fig. 11.6b shows the half-controlled
bridge rectifier which uses two thyristors and two diodes. The voltage and current
waveforms of the fully controlled bridge rectifier for a resistive load are illustrated
in Fig 11.7. Thyristors T1 and T2 must be fired on simultaneously during the positive
half-wave of the source voltage vs, to allow the conduction of current.
Alternatively, thyristors T3 and T4 must be fired simultaneously during the
negative half-wave of the source voltage. To ensure simultaneous firing, thyristors
T1 and T2 use the same firing signal. The load voltage is similar to the voltage
obtained with the bi-phase half-wave rectifier. The input current is given by

and its waveform is shown in Fig. 11.7. Figure 11.8 presents the behavior of the fully
controlled rectifier with resistive–inductive load (with L → ∞). The high load
inductance generates a perfectly filtered current and the rectifier behaves like a
current source. With continuous load current, thyristors T1 and T2 remain in the
on-state beyond the positive half-wave of the source voltage vs. For this reason,
the load voltage vd can have a negative instantaneous value. The firing of
thyristors T3 and T4 has two effects: (i) they turn-off thyristors T1 and T2 and (ii)
after the commutation, they conduct the load current. This is the main reason
why this type of converters are called “naturally commutated” or “line
commutated” rectifiers. The supply current iS has the square waveform, as shown
in Fig. 11.9, for continuous conduction. In this case, the average load voltage is
given by
1.3.3 Three-phase Half-wave Rectifier :
Figure 12.1 shows the three-phase half-wave rectifier topology. To control the load
voltage, the half-wave rectifier uses three common-cathode thyristor
arrangement. In this figure, the power supply and the transformer are assumed
ideal. The thyristor will conduct (ON state), when the anode-to-cathode voltage
vAK is positive and a firing current pulse iG is applied to the gate terminal.
Delaying the firing pulse by an angle α controls the load voltage. As shown in Fig.
12.2, the firing angle α is measured from the crossing point between the phase
supply voltages. At that point, the anode-to-cathode thyristor voltage vAK begins
to be positive. Figure 12.3 shows that the possible range for gating delay is
between α = 0◦ and α = 180◦, but because of commutation problems in actual
situations, the maximum firing angle is limited to around 160◦. As shown in Fig.
12.4, when the load is resistive, current id has the same waveform of the load
voltage. As the load becomes more and more inductive, the current flattens and
finally becomes constant. The thyristor goes to the non-conducting condition
(OFF state) when the following thyristor is switched ON, or the current, tries to
reach a negative value. With the help of Fig. 12.2, the load average voltage can be
evaluated, and is given by:

where VMAX is the secondary phase-to-neutral peak voltage, Vrms f −N its root
mean square (rms) value and ω is the angular frequency of the main power
supply. It can be seen from Eq. (12.1) that the load average voltage VD is modified
by changing firing angle α. When α < 90◦, VD is positive and when α > 90◦, the
average dc voltage becomes negative. In such a case, the rectifier begins to work
as an inverter and the load needs to be able to generate power reversal by
reversing its dc voltage.
Six-pulse or Double Star Rectifier :

The thyristor side windings of the transformer shown in Fig. 12.6 form a six-phase
system, resulting in a six-pulse starpoint (midpoint connection). Disregarding
commutation overlap, each valve conducts only during 60◦ per period. The direct
voltage is higher than that from the half-wave rectifier and its average value is
given by:

The dc voltage ripple is also smaller than the one generated by the half-wave
rectifier, due to the absence of the third harmonic with its inherently high
amplitude. The smoothing reactor LD is also considerably smaller than the one
needed for a three-pulse (half-wave) rectifier. The ac currents of the six-pulse
rectifier are shown in Fig. 12.7. The currents in the secondary windings present a
dc component, but the magnetic flux is compensated by the double star. As can
be observed, only one valve is fired at a time and then this connection in no way
corresponds to a parallel connection. The currents inside the delta show a
symmetrical waveform with 60◦ conduction. Finally, due to the particular
transformer connection shown in Fig. 12.6, the source currents also show a
symmetrical waveform, but with 120◦ conduction. Evaluation of the the rating of
the transformer is done in similar fashion to the way the half-wave rectifier is
evaluated: VAprim = 1.28 · PD VAsec = 1.81 · PD (12.9) Thus the transformer must be
oversized 28% at the primary side and 81% at the secondary side. In terms of size it
has an average apparent power of 1.55 times the power PD(55% oversized).
Because of the short conducting period of the valves, the transformer is not
particularly well utilized.
1.3.4 Three-phase Full-wave Rectifier or Graetz Bridge :
Parallel connection via interphase transformers permits the implementation of
rectifiers for high current applications. Series connection for high voltage is also
possible, as shown in the full-wave rectifier of Fig. 12.12. With this arrangement, it
can be seen that the three common cathode valves generate a positive voltage
with respect to the neutral, and the three common anode valves produce a
negative voltage. The result is a dc voltage, twice the value of the half-wave
rectifier. Each half of the bridge is a three-pulse converter group. This bridge
connection is a two-way connection and alternating currents flow in the valve-
side transformer windings during both half periods, avoiding dc components into
the windings, and saturation in the transformer magnetic core. These
characteristics make the so-called Graetz bridge the most widely used
linecommutated thyristor rectifier. The configuration does not need any special
transformer and works as a six-pulse rectifier. The series characteristic of this
rectifier produces a dc voltage twice the value of the half-wave rectifier. The load
average voltage is given by

where VMAX is the peak phase-to-neutral voltage at the secondary transformer

terminals, Vrms f −N its rms value, and Vsec f −f the rms phase-to-phase
secondary voltage, at the valve terminals of the rectifier. Figure 12.13 shows the
voltages of each half-wave bridge of this topology, v pos D and v neg D , the total
instantaneous dc voltage vD, and the anode-to-cathode voltage vAK in one of the
bridge thyristors. The maximum value of vAK is √3 · VMAX .
1.4 Modes of Operation

1. 120-Degree Mode (Six-Step Operation): In this mode, each switch

conducts for 120 degrees of the electrical cycle, ensuring that at any time,
two phases are active, and one phase is off. The resulting output voltage
consists of three square waves with a 120-degree phase shift. This method
is simple but produces more harmonics.
o The advantage of the 120-degree mode is that it minimizes
switching losses and ensures continuous conduction for two phases
at any given time.
2. 180-Degree Mode (Quasi-Square Wave Operation): In 180-degree
conduction mode, each switch conducts for 180 degrees of the electrical
cycle. At any given moment, two switches conduct simultaneously,
ensuring a smoother output waveform than the 120-degree mode.
o This mode reduces harmonic distortion compared to 120-degree
mode, making it more suitable for motor drive applications.
3. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Mode: In PWM mode, the switches are
controlled by high-frequency pulses to shape the output waveform into a
sinusoidal form. This method improves the waveform quality by reducing
harmonics and is widely used for applications requiring precise control of
voltage and frequency.
o The key advantage of PWM control is its ability to generate smooth,
near-sinusoidal waveforms with lower harmonic content,
improving overall efficiency.

1.5 Components of Three-Phase Inverter

1. Switches (IGBTs/MOSFETs):
The inverter consists of six switches (such as IGBTs or MOSFETs) arranged
in a three-leg structure. Each leg corresponds to one phase of the output.
These switches control the flow of current to each phase, determining the
inverter's output waveform.
 2. DC Source:
A DC voltage source, typically from a battery or rectified AC supply,
provides the input power that the inverter converts into AC.
3. Controller:
The controller regulates the switching pattern to control the output
voltage and frequency. In PWM-based inverters, the controller adjusts the
pulse width to produce the desired output waveform and ensure efficient
operation.
4. Filter (LC Filter):
To smooth the output waveform and reduce harmonic distortion, LC filters
are commonly used at the output of the inverter. These filters help to
convert the PWM waveform into a sinusoidal AC output.
5. Load (R, RL, RLE):
The inverter is typically connected to a load that can be resistive (R),
resistive-inductive (RL), or resistive-inductive-back EMF (RLE). These load
types impact the current flow and harmonic content of the output
waveform.

1.6 Advantages of Three-Phase Inverter

1. Efficient Power Conversion:

A three-phase inverter efficiently converts DC power to three-phase AC
power, making it suitable for driving industrial motors, pumps, and
compressors.
2. Smooth Power Output:
By using PWM techniques, the inverter generates smooth AC output with
low harmonic distortion, which improves the performance of connected
loads such as motors and reduces wear and tear.
3. Scalability and Flexibility:
Three-phase inverters are easily scalable for use in small- or large-scale
applications, from household renewable energy systems to large industrial
motor drives.
4. Precise Control:
The inverter allows precise control over output voltage and frequency,
 making it ideal for variable speed motor drives and renewable energy
systems where voltage regulation is critical.

1.6 Applications of Three-Phase Inverter

1. Motor Drives:
Widely used in industrial applications to power three-phase motors,
providing smooth and efficient control of motor speed and torque.
2. Renewable Energy Systems:
Converts DC power from solar panels or wind turbines into three-phase AC
for grid connection or powering AC loads.
3. Electric Vehicles (EVs):
In electric vehicles, three-phase inverters convert DC power from the
battery into AC power to drive the electric motor, allowing for variable
speed control.
4. Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS):
Three-phase inverters are essential components in UPS systems, providing
reliable AC power during mains failures.
5. HVAC Systems:
Inverters are used in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
systems for controlling the speed of compressors and fans, improving
energy efficiency.
6. Power Grid Integration:
Three-phase inverters are used in grid-tied systems to convert DC from
renewable energy sources into synchronized AC for feeding into the power
grid.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

OUTPUT
RESULT

1. Output Characteristics Analysis for R Load:

- The three-phase 180-degree mode inverter was simulated with a purely

resistive (R) load. The output voltage waveforms for the three phases were
observed to have a clear 120-degree phase shift between them, confirming
correct operation of the inverter in 180-degree mode.

- The voltage waveform across the resistive load was near sinusoidal, with sharp
transitions occurring between the on and off states of the IGBTs. The current
waveform, being proportional to the applied voltage, followed the same pattern
with minimal distortion, confirming that there was no reactive component in the
load.

2. Voltage and Current Variations in R Load:

- Under resistive load conditions, the current waveform was observed to be in

perfect phase with the voltage waveform, as expected from purely resistive
circuits. The voltage and current waveforms were smooth, indicating minimal
distortion in the inverter's operation for this load type.

- The magnitude of the current increased proportionally with the output

voltage. The steady relationship between voltage and current verified the
absence of inductive or capacitive effects, as resistive loads do not introduce
phase shifts or significant waveform alterations.

3. Waveform Observations:

- The output voltage waveform displayed symmetrical peaks and troughs, and
the amplitude remained stable over time. This indicates that the inverter
operated reliably under the tested resistive load condition.

- The current waveform, which was identical in shape to the voltage waveform,
showed that the power delivery was efficient with no significant delays or
distortions in the energy transfer process.
4. Impact of PWM on the R Load:

- The pulse width modulation (PWM) technique used in the 180-degree

conduction mode resulted in consistent voltage levels being applied to the
resistive load. The switching of IGBT devices was synchronized effectively to
ensure the output remained stable without introducing noticeable ripple or noise
in the waveform.

- Since the load was purely resistive, the switching losses were minimal,
contributing to efficient power delivery. The waveform analysis shows that the
180-degree mode provided a good balance between output waveform quality
and inverter efficiency in this scenario.