CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
1.1 OVERVIEW
Historically, line composite insulators have been
used with success in relatively clean environments
mainly due to the sim-plicity of handling and better
pricing than ceramic insulators. Voltage upgrading
and compact design of overhead lines are new
typical nisch areas for composite insulators.
Hydrophobicity is a key parameter of composite
insulators providing insulation performance much
higher than ceramic insulators.
However,
the
outstanding
hydrophobic
properties of composite insulators may be
deteriorated not only due to dry-band activity in
polluted areas but also due to continuous corona
activity on the housing material itself or corona
from the metal parts (fitting, grading/ corona ring)
onto the housing. In the worst case the insulator
may suffer from erosion and other damages [1].
This puts higher importance on protecting the
insulator from long-term aging.

1.2 SUMMARY
In this report, the SVPWM strategy is
presented based on the space vector model of
the

three-to-ve

matrix

converter. The

complete space vector model is presented

along with the SVPWM algorithm. It is seen
that the output voltage is limited to 0.7886 of
the input magnitude. Theoretically, this is the
maximum output magnitude that can be
obtained

in

this

matrix

converter

conguration in the linear modulation region.

Nevertheless, this limit can be further
enhanced by using over modulation strategy
at the expense of higher complexity. This
report presents the simulation results which

For the proper dimensioning of composite

insulators equipped with grading/corona rings,
three criteria have to be taken into ac-count: (1) the
limit of electric field (E-field) on the grading ring,
(2) the limit of E-field at the triple point (where air
and hous-ing meet the metallic end fitting), and (3)
the limit of E-field along the housing surface. All
three criteria are normally verified through E-field
calculations.
The first criterion is verified by a standard radio
interference voltage (RIV) test described in IEC
[2]. The second and third criteria are not verified
by any test so far. The first approach for such a test
was proposed in [3]. However, this study was
based only on a single insulator design, and the test
thus needs to be verified on several other insulator
designs. Further investigation should also include
the tuning of the test method proposed in [3].
Thus, the goal of this article was to finalize the
test method for the verification of E-field limit on
the surface of compos-ite insulators to avoid water
dropinduced corona. To achieve this, three fullscale 420-kV designs (different designs of end
fittings and grading/corona rings) of composite
insulators were thoroughly tested.

are further validated using experimental

investigation.

The

simulation

and

experimental results match to a good extent.

CHAPTER 2
THREE - TO -FIVE -PHASE
MATRIX CONVERTER
2.1 OVERVIEW
The general power circuit topology of a
three-to- ve- phase matrix converter is
shown in Fig. 2.1. There are ve legs, with
each leg having three bidirectional power
switches connected in series. Each power
switch is bidirectional in nature, with
antiparallel- connected IGBTs and diodes.
The input is similar to a three-to-three-phase
matrix converter having LC lters, and the

output is ve- phase with 72 phase displacement

The space vector algorithm is based on the

between each phase.

The switching function is

representation of the three-phase input

dened as Sjk = {1 for closed switch, 0 for open

current and ve- phase output line voltages

switch}, with j = {a, b, c} (input) and k ={A, B, C,

on the space vector plane. In matrix

D, E} (output). The switching constraint is Sak

converters, each output phase is connected to

+Sbk + Sck = 1. The load to the matrix converter is

each input phase depending on the state of

assumed as a star-connected ve- phase ac

the switches. For a three-to-ve- phase

machine.

matrix converter, the total number of

switches is 15.With this number of switches,
the total combination of switching is 215. For
safe switching in the matrix converter, the
following rules should be observed.
1) The input phases should never be short
circuited.
2) The output phases should never be open
circuited at any switching time. Considering
the aforementioned two rules, there are 35,
i.e 243, different switching combinations for
connecting the output phases to the input
phases. These switching combinations can be
analyzed in ve

groups. The switching

Fig.2.1. General Power circuit topology of three-to-ve-

combinations are represented as {p, q,

phase acac matrix converter.

r},where p, q, and r represent the number of

2.2 SUMMARY

output phases connected to input phase A,

There are 32768 switching combinations for three

phase B, and phase C, respectively.1) p, q, r

to five phase converter. But due to the switching

0, 0, 5|p = q = r: All of the output phases

constraints applied 93 switching combinations are

are connected to the same input phase. This

useful.

group consists of three possible switching

combinations, i.e., either all output phases
connect to input phase A or input phase B or

CHAPTER 3

input phase C. {5, 0, 0} represents the

switching conditions when all of the output

SPACE VECTOR MODULATION

phases connect to input phase A. {0, 5, 0}

ALGORITHM

represents the switching conditions when all

of the output phases connect to input phase

3.1 OVERVIEW

B.{0,

0,

5}

represents

the

switching

conditions when all of vectors have a variable

the two other output phases are connected to

amplitude at a constant frequency in space. It

the other two input phases, respectively. As

means that the amplitude of the output voltages

such, there exist three different switching

depends on the selected input line voltages. In this

states ({3, 1, 1}, {1, 3, 1}, and {1, 1, 3}). Out

case, the phase angle of the output voltage space

of these,

vector does not depend on the phase angle of the

Each switching state can have further 20

input voltage space vector. The 30 combinations in

different combinations, i.e., every switching

this group determine ten prexed positions of the

permutation has 5 C3 2C1 1 C1 = 20

output voltage space vectors which are not

combinations. This group hence consists of 3

dependent on i . A similar condition is also valid

20 = 60 switching combinations. These

for current vectors. The 30 combinations in this

vectors have variable-amplitude variable

group determine six prexed positions of the input

frequency in space. It means that the

current space vectors which are not dependent on

amplitude of the output voltages depends on

o.

the selected input line voltages. In this case,

the phase angle of the output voltage space

3) p, q, r 0, 2, 3|p = q = r: Three of the output

vector depends on the phase angle of the

phases are connected to the same input phase, and

input

the two other output phases are connected to any of

60combinations

the other two input phases. As such, there exist six

determine any prexed positions of the

different switching states({3, 2, 0}, {2, 3, 0}, {2, 0,

output voltage space vector. The locus of the

3}, {0, 2, 3}, {0, 3, 2}, and{3, 0, 2}). Out of these,

output voltage space vectors forms ellipses

one switching permutation can have further ten

indifferent orientations in space as i is

different

varied. A similar condition is also valid for

combinations,

.e.,

every

switching

voltage

space
in

this

vector.
group

vectors. For the space

The

do

not

permutation has 5 C3 2 C2 = 10 combinations.

current

vector

This group hence consists of 6 10 = 60 switching

modulation technique, these switching states

combinations. These vectors also have a variable

are not used in the matrix converter since the

amplitude at a constant frequency in space. The 60

phase angle of both input and output vectors

combinations in this group determine ten prexed

cannot be controlled independently.

positions of the output voltage space vectors which

5) p, q, r 1, 2, 2|p = q = r: Two of the

are not dependent on i . A similar condition is also

output phases are connected to the same

valid for current vectors. The 60 combinations in

input phase, the two other output phases are

this group determine six prexed positions of the

connected to another input phase, and the

input current space vectors which are not

fth output phase is connected to the third

dependent on o .

input phase. As such, there exist three

4) p, q, r 1, 1, 3|p = q = r: Three of the output

different switching states ({1, 2, 2},

phases are connected to the same input phase, and

{2, 1, 2}, and {2, 2, 1}). Each switching state

can have further 30 different combinations, i.e.,

CHAPTER 4

every switching permutation has 5 C2 3 C2 1 C1

TEST METHOD

= 30 combinations. This group hence consists of 3

30 = 90 switching combinations. These vectors

4.1 OVERVIEW

also have variable-amplitude

variable

frequency in space. That is, the amplitude of the

output voltages depends on the selected input line
voltages. In this case, the phase angle of the output
voltage space vector depends on the phase angle of
the

input

voltage

space

vector.

The

90

combinations in this group do not determine any

Calculations were completed of the Efield on the surface of the three different
insulator designs, simulating their arrangement in the high voltage laboratory
of STRI (Ludvika, Sweden). The three
different arrangements are identified as
Design-1, Design-2, and Design-3)

The earlier proposed test method [3] was

verified using these three arrangements (three
identical insulators of each design).

Modified corona development test was

completed with new criterion using these
three arrangements (three identical insulators of each design).
vector. The locus of the output voltage space
aging development test was performed on
vectors forms ellipses in different orientations in An
one insulator from each design.
space as i is varied. A similar condition is also The final proposal for the test method was
ready for repro-ducibility study.
valid for current vectors.
prexed positions of the output voltage space

3.2 SUMMARY

Laboratory Test Setup

For the space vector modulation technique, these

The following test setup was used during the

switching states are also not used in the matrix

tests. The voltage transformer was connected

converter since the phase angle of both input and

to the voltage divider, and from there a 12-m

output vectors cannot be controlled independently.

conductor simulation was attached to the

The active switching vectors used for the proposed

insulator equipped with large toroids at the

SVPWM
of a three-to-ve- phase matrix converter are the
following.
Group 1: {5, 0, 0} consists of 3 vectors.

ends to avoid corona. A

daylight DayCor

Group 2: {4, 1, 0} consists of 30 vectors.

UV-camera was positioned on the laboratory

Group 3: {3, 2, 0} consists of 60 vectors.

floor

perpendicular

to

the

simulated

conductor. A Nikon D70

camera with a 300-mm lens was positioned
close to the DayCor
camera, and another identical Nikon D70
camera was

positioned on a manlift 8 m above the floor. The

complete test

The three designs of insulator end fittings are

schematically shown in Figure 2.

setup is shown in Figure 1 (left), and the positions

of cameras
are shown (red circles) in Figure 1 (right). The
water used for all
tests had a standard IEC conductivity of 100
S/m (100102
S/m during the tests).
The ambient conditions during all tests were in a
quite narrow region and are shown in Table 1

Figure2.Threeendfittingdesignstestedinthis
program

Figure1.Overviewoftestsetup(left);overviewofcamera
positioning(right).

Test Insulators

E-Field Calculations
One calculation for each design was
performed in Comsol Multiphysics 4.4
(www.comsol.com). The total volume of the
test laboratory (40 25 25 m) was used in
the simulations. Earthed equipment and
fences were taken into account as illus-trated
in the overview of the calculated test
laboratory in Figure 3. Three parameters
were evaluated for each insulator arrange-

CHAPTER 5
COMMUTATION REQUIREMENTS
5.1 OVERVIEW
Once the phase angles of the input current and output line voltage are known, the eight space
vectors are required to implement the SVPWM. These eight space vectors are utilized until i or
o will change the angular sector. One of the zero space voltage vectors should be employed in
each switching cycle to obtain a symmetrical switching waveform. With reference to the i and
o values considered in Figs.5.2 and 5.3, the available space vectors and their sequence of
switching are listed in Table III, assuming both input and output reference vectors in sector 1.
The rst column lists the different space vectors that will be used.
TABLE 5.1

MAXIMUM MODULATION INDEX FORMULATION

For them SVPWM. The second to sixth columns list the input and output phases that will be
connected during switching period. The capital letter denotes the output phases (ve- phase), and
the small letter indicates the input phases (three-phase). Sequence of application of space vectors
can be dened such that the number of switching in one sampling period is minimum. The
switching sequence in one sample period in sector 1 (both input and output reference vectors) is
listed in Table 5.1.
To obtain a symmetrical switching, at rst, a zero vector is applied, followed by eight active
vectors in half sampling period. The mirror image of the switching sequence is employed in the
second half of the sampling period. The time of applications of active and zero vectors is divided
in two portions; hence, the total time of application is also halved. It is observed that, when
applying vector +7 M after zero vector, only one state is changed; input phase a is now
connected to output phase C. In the next transition from +7 M to +13 M, two states are
changed. Each change in switching is shown by an elliptical shape.

Fig.5.1. Output phase voltages at 70 Hz.

5.2 SUMMARY
It should be noted that, in this way, only 12 commutations are required in each half sampling
period. Once the congurations are selected and sequenced, the on-time ratio of each
conguration is calculated using (12) and (13) given for the appropriate sector.

CHAPTER 6
INVESTIGATION RESULTS
6.1 OVERVIEW
MATLAB/ Simulink model is developed for the proposed matrix converter control. The input
voltage is xed at 100 Vpeak to show the exact gain at the output side, and the switching
frequency of the devices is kept at 6 kHz. The load connected to the matrix converter is RL
with the parameter values R = 10 , L = 3 mH. The operation of the proposed topology of the
matrix converter is tested for a wide range of frequencies, from as low as 6.7 Hz to higher
frequencies (70 Hz) for deep ux weakening operation. The output phase to neutral voltage,
adjacent and non-adjacent voltages are shown in Figs. 6.6. A balanced ve-phase output is
observed. The spectrum of the output voltage at 6.7-Hz output frequency is shown in Fig. 6.7.

6.2 SIMULATION RESULTS

The sinusoidal nature of the input current is another distinct feature of the matrix converter. The

input side current spectrum shown in Fig. 6.8 (lower trace) yields a completely sinusoidal
waveform while completely eliminating the lower order harmonics. The Total harmonic
distortion (THD) in the input current waveform is obtained as3.67%, which is well within the
tolerance limit of the specied IEEE 19-1999 standard.

Similar results are obtainable for all

operating frequencies, showing a successful operation of the proposed matrix converter PWM.
The presented results clearly show a successful phase transformation from three-phase input to
ve-phase output. The input current will not show a signicant change for the change in the
frequency for low inductive load, and thus, only one trace for the input current is shown in
Fig.6.8(a) at the 70- Hz output case only. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the
proposed solution. Hence, the proposed direct acac converter can be employed for wide range
speed control of multiphase drive systems.

Fig. 6.1. Output currents at 70 Hz.

Fig 6.2. Output phase, adjacent-1, and adjacent-II voltages for 6.67 Hz.

Fig. 6.3. Frequency spectrum of the output phase voltage at 6.67 Hz.

Fig. 6.4. (a) Input voltage with ltered and unltered input currents. (b) Input current spectrum.

Fig. 6.5 Block diagram of the experimental setup.

.

Fig. 6.6. Output side ve-phase waveform for 70 Hz: output phase voltages(100 V, 5 ms/div).

6.3 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

A prototype three- phase to nine-phase matrix converter is developed, where the input is threephase and the output can be congured from single to nine phases. The proposed space-vector-

based modulation scheme is implemented for a three-to-ve-phase matrix converter. The block
schematic of the experimental setup is shown in Fig.6.9. The power module is a bidirectional
switch FIO 50-12BD from IXYS and is composed of a diagonal IGBT and fast diode bridge in
ISOPLUS i4-PAC.
The voltage blocking capability of the device is 1200 V, and the current capacity is 50 A. This
comes in single chip with ve output pins: four for the diode bridge and one for the gate drive of
the IGBT. It controls bidirectional current ow by a single control signal. The advantage of this
bidirectional power switch is the decreased number of IGBTs which is a major issue for
multiphase operation, but the major disadvantage is the higher conduction losses and the twostep commutation. Extra line inductances are used for safe operation during the overlapping of
current commutation. Dead-time compensation is done along with snubbers and clamping
circuit. The matrix converter consists of 27 of such bidirectional power switches, of which only
15 are used. The control platform used is the Spartan 3-ADSP controller and Xilinx
XC3SD1800A FPGA. Furthermore, the modulation code is written in C and is processed in the
DSP. Logical tasks, such as A/D and D/A conversion, gate drive signal generation, etc., are
accomplished by the powerful FPGA board. The FPGA board is able to handle up to 50 PWM
signals. Clamping diodes are used for protection purposes.

The input supply is given from an autotransformer and is xed at 100 V, 50 Hz. The switching
frequency of the bidirectional power switch of the matrix converter is xed at 6 kHz. The value
of the input LC lter used for this conguration is200 H, 10 A and 15 F, 440 V, respectively.
The developed matrix converter is tested for a wide range of output frequencies. A ve-phase
RL load is connected at the output terminals of the matrix converter, with R = 10 and L = 30
mH. The resulting output waveforms for the fundamental frequency of 70 and 6.7 Hz are shown
in Figs. 1011, and 12, respectively.
The simulation and experimental results match to a good extent. The output voltage THD is
4.83%. This proves the viability of the proposed space vector modulation scheme for a three-tove-phase matrix converter. To further show the unity power factor at the input side, one input
phase voltage and one input phase current are shown in Fig. 13. It is evident that unity power

factor is maintained at the input side. The ve-phase matrix converter feeds a ve-phase

Fig. 6.7. Output side ve-phase waveform for 70 Hz: output phase currents(2 A, 5 ms/div).

Fig. 6.8. Output side ve-phase waveform for 6.7 Hz. (Upper trace) Output phase voltage (100 V, 25 ms/div) and
output current (2 A, 25 ms/div). (Bottom trace) Output Adj-2 line-to-line voltage (100 V, 25 ms/div).

Fig.6.9. Input voltage (25 V, 10 ms/div) and current (2.0 A, 10 ms/div).

6.4 SUMMARY
Squirrel cage 1.5-hp induction motor at no load to observe the input current behavior at light
load condition. The ltered input current leads the input voltage due to the capacitive nature of
the input lter without any input displacement factor correction. The phase angle between the
input phase current and voltage is 12. The THDis of the input current and input power factor are
4.74% and 0.967, respectively. A phase lag of 12 is introduced for the input.

CONCLUSION
A novel space vector control of a three-to-ve-phase matrix converter has been discussed in this
report. The input to the matrix converter is a three-phase ac supply, and the output is ve-phase.
This converter is useful in a ve-phase motor drive application. The output voltage magnitude is
found to be limited to 78.8% of the input voltage magnitude in the linear modulation region. This
is the limitation associated with this type of acac converter. The proposed SVPWM strategy is
derived from the analogy of the modulation of a voltage source inverter. There are 243 possible
space vectors, but only 93 are useful in implementing the SVPWM. Symmetrical switching is
obtained by utilizing zero space vectors and active vectors, and 24 commutations are noted in
one sampling period. The analytical ndings are conrmed using simulation and an experimental
approach.

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