A High Switching Frequency IGBT PWM Rectified Inverter System for AC Motor Drives Operating from Single Phase Supply

A PWM rectifierhverter system using insulated-gate-bipolar-transistors (IBGT's), capable of switching at 20 kHz is reported. The base drive circuit for the IGBT, incorporating short circuit protection is presented. The inverter uses Undeland snubber together with a simple energy recovery circuit, which ensures reliable and efficient operation even for 20 kHz switching. The front end for the system is a regenerative single phase full-bridge IGBT inverter along with an ac reactor. Steady-state design considerations are explained and control techniques, for unity power factor operation and fast current control of the front end converter, in a rotating as well as a stationary reference frame, are discussed and compared. Results from computer simulations as well as experimental results, for a 1.5-kW prototype system using GE IGBT's Type 6E20, are presented.