A New Configurable SC-Based Dual Source Inverter Topology With Improved Reliability

This paper proposes a configurable fifteen-level two-source neutral point clamped inverter topology that is reliable against source outages and switch failures. The topology has two dc sources, four capacitors, a total of six unidirectional and four bidirectional switches. Level-shifted PWM is used to generate the required number of levels. The proposed topology is able to generate multi-level output waveform satisfactorily even at the advent of source outages and switch faults. Power loss analysis was performed in PLECS to demonstrate high efficiency of the proposed MLI. Switch failure rates were obtained to show the improved reliability of the MLI. Moreover, switch fault analysis for different fault conditions was carried out to show the system robustness. Finally, the hardware results are presented for 1 kW experimental setup for steady-state as well as dynamic conditions. Experimental setup of MLI is based on IKW75N60 T IGBT with anti-parallel diode with TMS320F28379D DSP controller. The proposed topology demonstrates, excellent efficiency (97.3% in PLECS simulation and 96.1% in experiment for 1 kW power), high reliability against switch failures, and robustness against dc source outages and switch faults.