Analysis and performance assessment of six-pulse inverter-fed three-phase and six-phase induction machines

This paper describes a model for a six-phase induction motor driven by an inverter operating in a six-pulse (square wave) mode. The model is implemented, and performance, in terms of torque, current, and efficiency, is compared to the performance of a three-phase motor (supplied with either a sine and six-pulse voltage). The models are verified experimentally to a degree of accuracy, and it is illustrated that the improvement in inverter efficiency when in six-pulse operating mode may improve the performance of the overall system, although the improvement is marginal in the example used. The potential of this drive configuration is demonstrated.