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This paper presents a direct current-space-vector control of an active power filter (APF) based on a three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) voltage-source inverter. The proposed method indirectly generates the compensation current reference by using an equivalent conductance of the fundamental component using APF's dc-link voltage control. The proposed control can selectively choose harmonic current components by real-time fast Fourier transform to generate the compensation current. The compensation current is represented in a rotating coordinate system with chosen switching states from a switching table implemented in a field-programmable gate array. In addition, a three-phase four-wire APF based on a three-level neutral-point-clamped inverter is also presented. The proposed APF eliminates harmonics in all three phases as well as the neutral current. A three-phase three-wire NPC inverter system can be used as a three-phase four-wire system since the sprit dc capacitors provide a neutral connection. To regulate and balance the split dc-capacitor voltages, a new control method using a sign cubical hysteresis controller is proposed. The characteristics of the APF system with an LCL-ripple filter are investigated and compared with traditional current control strategies to evaluate the inherent advantages. The simulation and experimental results validated the feasibility of the proposed APF. Index Terms--Direct current control (DCC), multilevel inverters, neutral clamped, power factor correction, power filter, reactive power compensation, shunt active filter, space vector, three-phase four-wire system, voltage-source inverter (VSI).

The growing number of electric drives with non-sinusoidal line currents has given increased interest in active power filters (APF), to avoid grid problems caused by harmonic distortions. In this paper, a novel direct current-space-vector control scheme (DCSVC) is presented for a three-level, neutral-point -clamped voltage source inverter, which is employed as an active power filter. The proposed method generates the compensation current reference indirectly generating an equivalent ohmic conductance for the fundamental component by means of the APF's dc-link voltage control. Based on the fast Fourier transform the compensation of the reactive fundamental current and selectable harmonics can be cancelled, confining the operation to only harmonic compensation and thus saving the APF's apparent power. The novel DCSVC, operating in synchronously rotating coordinates is implemented in a field programmable gate array, realizing the switching states from switching tables. The proposed control reduces the average switching frequency and thus, the switching power loss significantly, compared with a previous DCSVC, operating in stationary coordinates. Simulation and experimental results validate the feasibility and highly dynamic performance of the proposed control, both for harmonic and total non-active current compensation. Index Terms--Harmonic elimination, multilevel inverters, shunt active filter, space vector.