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The parameters of electrical energy such as voltage amplitude are very important, particularly from the viewpoint of the final consumer and sensitive loads connected to the grid. The dynamic states in the power grid—deep voltage sags and swells—might cause faults and defects in sensitive loads. This paper deals with a three-phase hybrid transformer (HT) without dc energy storage to compensate voltage sags and swells and to protect sensitive loads against the rapid and extensive changes in supply voltage amplitude. The analyzed HT contains two main units: the first one is the conventional electromagnetic transformer, realizing an electromagnetic coupling, and the second one is the buck–boost matrix-reactance chopper, realizing an electrical coupling in the HT unit. In the presented solution, output voltage is transformed in two ways—electromagnetically and electrically. This paper presents an operational description, the theoretical analysis, and the experimental test results from a 2-kVA laboratory model. On the basis of the authors' research, it can be stated that the HT makes it possible to compensate deep voltage sags (deeper than 50% of nominal source voltage) and overvoltages (up to 140% of nominal source voltage) while maintaining good dynamic properties. The main advantages of the proposed solution, in comparison to other conventional solutions, are the ability to control the output voltage in the range of 0.66–3.5 US, good dynamics (transient state during source voltage uS amplitude change is shorter than 10 ms), and galvanic separation between source and load (such as in the case of the conventional electromagnetic transformer). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A modified scheme for reactive power compensation using static VAr compensators (SVCs) has been proposed in this paper for unbalanced four-wire system. The conventional SVC-based scheme requires both delta ( $\Delta $ $)$ - and star (Y)-connected SVCs for the same purpose. The proposed scheme uses a single-equivalent delta-connected thyristor controlled reactor (TCR) along with a combination of Y- and $\Delta $- connected thyristor switched capacitors for this purpose. The single-equivalent $\Delta $ -TCR in the present scheme is the result of a virtual Y-TCR and the conventional $\Delta $-TCR. This can reduces effective number of switching devices, cost, complexity, and space requirement compared to the conventional SVC-based schemes. Moreover, the proposed scheme can have various advantageous features compared to newly used DSTATCOM. The proposed scheme can also prevent injection of triplen harmonics in to the line, which is injected by Y-TCR in the conventional scheme. An optimized switching function is adopted in the proposed scheme for reduction of additional injected harmonics by TCR. The optimized switching angles are computed offline using gravitational search algorithm and stored in the processor memory for online application. The viability of the proposed scheme is simulated using MATLAB/Simulink and verified by suitable experimental results on a practical system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an isolated single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC) dc–dc converter with ripple-free input current and lossless snubber. The proposed converter is based on a conventional isolated SEPIC converter to enable electrical isolation and high voltage gain using a coupled inductor. The input current ripple is significantly reduced by utilizing an auxiliary circuit that also functions as a lossless snubber circuit with an additional diode. Moreover, the maximum switch voltage stress is clamped to a low voltage by the snubber circuit. Therefore, a low voltage rating mosfet that has low $R_{{\rm{DS(on)}}}$ can be utilized as a main switch device. Hence, the total power efficiency is improved. Experimental results from a 100 W prototype, which are presented to verify the theoretic analysis and performance of the proposed converter. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, a new type of matrix converter (MC) also called a single-phase high-frequency transformer isolated (HFTI) buck MC is proposed. The proposed converter can provide step-down operation of the input voltage with various types of output voltages such as in-phase and out-of-phase output voltages, rectified (or positive) output voltage, and output voltage with step-changed frequency. By incorporating HFT isolation, the proposed MC saves an extra bulky line frequency transformer, which is required for the conventional MCs to provide electrical isolation and safety, when used in application such as dynamic voltage restorers, etc. Two different circuit variations of the proposed HFTI MC are presented with and without continuous output currents, with the latter having less passive components. The safe-commutation strategy is also employed for the proposed HFTI MC to provide current path for the inductor during dead-time, which avoids switch voltage spikes without adding any snubber circuits. The operation principle and circuit analysis of the proposed MC are presented, and switching strategies are also developed to obtain various output voltages. Moreover, a prototype of the proposed MC is fabricated, and experiments are performed to produce in-phase/out-of-phase and rectified output voltages, and output voltage with step-changed frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, a design method is proposed for finding the equivalent inductance and capacitance of the single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC). The relations of the output voltage ripple (OVR) of the SEPIC converter are obtained in complete inductor supply mode–continuous conduction mode (CISM-CCM), incomplete inductor supply mode-CCM (IISM-CCM), and IISM-discontinuous conduction mode (IISM-DCM). The maximum of OVR (MOVR) is investigated for a specified range of the input voltage and load resistance. This value of the MOVR is obtained for the minimum values of input voltage and load resistance. In this paper, the minimum values of the equivalent inductance and capacitance are calculated in obtaining the minimum value of the MOVR. One of the other performed studies in this paper is calculation of the switch peak current in CCM and DCM. In addition, the converter is designed based on the minimum values of the MOVR and stress of the switching current. Experimental and simulation results are used to prove the validity of the presented theoretical subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper proposes a novel high step-up nonisolated single switch dc–dc converter suitable for regulating dc bus in various microsources especially for photovoltaic (PV) sources. Quadratic boost and switched-capacitor technique are used as primary and secondary circuits, respectively. A coupled inductor is applied to make a connection between them, so a high dc voltage gain is achieved. High efficiency is yield where voltage stress on active switch is alleviated by clamped capacitor; consequently, smaller \rmR\rm{DS(ON)} for power switch is required. On the other hand, input current of the proposed converter is continued, hence stress on the input source is reduced. The operating principles and steady-state analyses are discussed in detail for both continuous and discontinuous conduction modes. Also, the boundary condition is computed. To verify the performance of the proposed converter and theoretical calculations, a 250-W prototype converter is implemented with an input voltage of 24 V and an output voltage of 400 V designed especially for PV sources in continuous conduction mode operation. Finally, simulation results are confirmed by experimental results; maximum efficiency is occurred at 150 W and full-load efficiency is 92.96%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flying capacitor multilevel inverter (FCMLI) is one of the well-known structures of multilevel inverters having attracted considerable attention because of its merits. In spite of its many advantages, it has some limitations such as high volume and complicated control method because of its bulky capacitors and their voltage balancing requirement. Moreover, the high number of power semiconductors required makes this structure susceptible to failure. To increase the ratio of the number of levels to the number of components, an uneven distribution of capacitor voltages has been suggested in previous reports; however, this approach complicates the control method. Up to now, almost all presented methods suffer from high computational load and/or structure-dependent algorithm. In this paper, a simple state-based and structure-independent method is proposed for capacitor voltage regulation. The proposed method is straightforward and can perform online computation of switching sequences in a computationally efficient manner without any need for stored information or look-up tables. The method is conveniently extendible to any number of cells and levels in an FCMLI structure with arbitrary dc link voltage distribution schemes. Simulation and experimental results show the effectiveness and simplicity of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, a common grounded Z-source dc–dc converter with high voltage gain is proposed for photovoltaic (PV) applications, which require a relatively high output–input voltage conversion ratio. Compared with the traditional Z-source dc–dc converter, the proposed converter, which employs a conventional Z-source network, can obtain higher voltage gain and provide the common ground for the input and output without any additional components, which results in low cost and small size. Moreover, the proposed converter features low voltage stresses of the switch and diodes. Therefore, the efficiency and reliability of the proposed converter can be improved. The operating principle, parameters design, and comparison with other converters are analyzed. Simulation and experimental results are given to verify the aforementioned characteristics and theoretical analysis of the proposed converter. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper proposes a new topology for an enhanced-boost Z-source inverter (ZSI) with combined two Z-impedance networks. By two Z-impedance networks and low shoot-through duty cycle, the proposed inverter produces high output voltage gain. In traditional ZSIs for high boosting voltage, a low modulation index is required; hence, under these conditions, the output voltage will have low quality with high total harmonic distortion. Compared with the conventional high-boost ZSI topologies, the proposed inverter uses shorter shoot-through duration and a larger modulation index to improve the output waveform quality. Comparison between the proposed topology and previously proposed schemes, in terms of inductor numbers, voltage and current stresses on elements, sizes of inductors and capacitors, efficiency, and switching device product (SDP) factors of diodes, is made, and the results verify the priority of the proposed topology. The operating principle of the proposed topology is analyzed in detail. Both simulation and experimental results verify the high performance of the proposed inverter. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A lot of large-scale industrial critical loads suffer from voltage interruptions and sags which can cause a significant financial loss. The thyristor-based solid-state transfer switch (STS) and mechanical-based automatic transfer switch (ATS) are used to protect loads against these power quality problems. However, the STS has a great deal of loss consumption because of the forward voltage drop of the thyristors, and ATS can hardly satisfy the voltage-sensitive load due to the long transfer time. This paper proposes a 400 V/1000 kVA hybrid ATS (thyristor switch in parallel with mechanical switch) (HATS) to realize low power consumption under normal situation and transfer fast when required. The proposed HATS has four transfer strategies which can be chosen according to different applications, it realizes the overlapping transfer of the neutral wire, and it can make a decision to transfer or not according to the different fault locations (transfer on the source side and not transfer on the load side). The design details of the prototype are presented, and laboratory tests and field experiments show the prototype good performance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The design and characterization in high-voltage (HV)-CMOS technology of an innovative intelligent power switch (IPS) for harsh automotive applications is proposed in this paper. To safely handle the ordinary and extraordinary automotive electrical and environmental conditions, a systematic design flow is followed: several design solutions are presented at the architectural and circuital level, integrating on-chip self-diagnostic capabilities and full protection against the high voltage and reverse polarity, the effects of wiring parasitics, and the over-current and over-temperature phenomena. Moreover, the current slope and soft start integrated techniques ensure a low electromagnetic interference, and the IPS is also configurable to efficiently drive different interchangeable loads. The innovative IPS has been implemented in a 0.35-\mu\m HV-CMOS technology and has been embedded in mechatronic third generation brush-holder regulator system-on-chip for an automotive alternator. The electrical simulations and experimental characterization and the testing at component and on-board system levels prove that the proposed design allows a compact and smart power switch realization facing the harshest automotive conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel three-phase soft-switching inverter is presented. The inverter-switch turn on and turn off are performed under zero-voltage switching condition. This inverter has only one auxiliary switch, which is also soft switched. Having one auxiliary switch simplifies the control circuit considerably. The proposed inverter is analyzed, and its operating modes are explained in details. The design considerations of the proposed inverter are presented. The experimental results of the prototype inverter confirm the theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel zero-voltage-transition high-efficiency bridgeless power-factor-correction (PFC) circuit with a zero-current-switching auxiliary switch was proposed, analyzed, and experimentally verified. An assist circuit, consisting of a resonant inductor, two blocking diodes, a clamping circuit, an autotransformer, and an auxiliary MOSFET switch, was used to reduce the turn-on switching loss of the two main switches of the bridgeless PFC circuit and the turn-off switching loss of the auxiliary switch. The soft commutation of the main switches is achieved without imposing an additional voltage stress on the main switches. Feedback gate-drive signals can be obtained by using an existing converter IC controller modified to fit the purpose. In this paper, a detailed description of the circuit operation will be given. Based on the analysis, the guidelines for the component selection are presented. A prototype of 100-kHz 600-W universal-line PFC bridgeless circuit was built to verify the proposed scheme. In addition, based on the same concept, a family of bridgeless PFC configuration was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many static synchronous compensators (STATCOMs) utilize multilevel converters due to the following: 1) lower harmonic injection into the power system; 2) decreased stress on the electronic components due to decreased voltages; and 3) lower switching losses. One disadvantage, however, is the increased likelihood of a switch failure due to the increased number of switches in a multilevel converter. A single switch failure, however, does not necessarily force an (2n + 1)-level STATCOM offline. Even with a reduced number of switches, a STATCOM can still provide a significant range of control by removing the module of the faulted switch and continuing with (2n - 1) levels. This paper introduces an approach to detect the existence of the faulted switch, identify which switch is faulty, and reconfigure the STATCOM. This approach is illustrated on an eleven-level STATCOM and the effect on the dynamic performance and the total harmonic distortion (THD) is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AC voltage and phase regulators based on tap changers implemented with silicon-controlled rectifiers and triacs are widely used due to their robustness. Tap changing is achieved under natural commutation of semiconductors during the zero crossing of current, so that the response time exceeds the half cycle of the mains. High-power transistors and gate turn-off thyristor switches make new and faster tap commutation techniques possible to achieve several tap changes in one half cycle. This paper analyzes and synthesizes a dual-tap chopping stabilizer with a compensating transformer, with a pulsewidth-modulation frequency of about 5 kHz and a new soft-switching technique achieved by two auxiliary small-power branches. Unlike other supercyclic ac soft-switching solutions, the new commutating method allows zero current turn-off, several times in a half cycle, for any sign combination of voltage and current, thus reducing the electrical stress in the switches and the electromagnetic emission. Zero-crossing current detection is not needed. A technical study and an evaluation of the power of the required components are done on the commutation techniques that extend the application field of tap changers to the reduction of the fast perturbations of the mains as flicker, voltage harmonics, voltage oscillations, etc. Experimental results with insulated-gate bipolar transistor switches are obtained in a 1 kVA prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]