Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering & Emerging Technologies (ICEET), Superior

University, Lahore, PK, 26-27 March, 2015.

SIMULATION OF DC/AC PURE SINEWAVE INVERTER

AND ANALYSIS ON DIFFERENT SWTCHING TECHNIQUES
Atif iqbal (atifiqbalmalik@gmail.com), ishtiaq ahmed (ahmedjajja1@gmail.com)
MSEE Superior University Lahore
1. ABSTRACT
This project focuses on DC to AC power simple, accurately switching these devices
inverters, which aim to efficiently to obtain pure sine wave provides a
transform a DC power source to a high number of challenges for the engineers. So
voltage AC source, similar to power that our basic focus and aim is to achieve pure
would be available at an electrical wall sine wave, by comparing different
outlet. Inverters are used for many switching methods and choosing the one
applications, as in situations where low which has minimal harmonic content, less
voltage DC sources such as batteries, solar complexity and being economically viable
panels or fuel cells must be converted so 2. INTRODUCTION
that devices can run on AC power. There An inverter is used to convert direct
are different DC-AC inverters available in current (DC) to alternating current (AC) [1]
the market today. They principally the converted AC can be generated at any
generate two different forms of AC output: required voltage and frequency with the
modified sine wave, and pure sine wave. use of appropriate transformers, switching
A modified sine wave can be seen as more and control circuits. Inverters are
of a square wave than a sine wave; it commonly used to convert AC from DC
passes the high DC voltage for specified sources which include solar panels,
amounts of time so that the average power batteries, etc. inverters perform opposite
and rms voltage are the same as if it were a function of rectifier. Electrical power
sine wave. These types of inverters are system require good power quality for its
much cheaper than pure sine wave proper function, for the increased demand
inverters and therefore are attractive of power there are many problems to be
alternatives. Pure sine wave inverters, on solved, one of them is to fulfil the
the other hand, produce a sine wave output increasing electricity demand by using
identical to the power coming out of an alternative (renewable) energy resources
electrical outlet. These devices are able to like solar system, wind power etc.
run more sensitive devices that a modified Generations from these resources require a
sine wave may cause damage to such as: storage medium (Battery). Inverters are
laser printers, laptop computers, power required for converting battery power to
tools, digital clocks and medical Ac. The use of inverter is not limited to
equipment. This form of AC power also renewable energy source storage
reduces audible noise in devices such as conversion but may also be used in
fluorescent lights and runs inductive loads, different applications such as, variable
like motors, faster and quieter due to the frequency drive (VFD), uninterruptible
low harmonic distortion. basic idea is power supply (UPS). Inverters ensure
based on designing an inverter that smooth power supply and equipment
produces pure sine wave, which not only safety in case of power shortages, the fact
increases the power quality of the output that makes them popular among the 3rd
wave generated but also protects sensitive world countries facing power deficit.
equipment from damaging out. Although Conversion principle of DC to AC is same,
the basic circuit for an inverter may seem
Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering & Emerging Technologies (ICEET), Superior
University, Lahore, PK, 26-27 March, 2015.

but different techniques provide same

Output with different harmonic content.
2.1. TYPES OF INVERTER:
The power invertors that present in the
market converts DC to AC based on
methods which are as follows:
 Two level PWM
 Three level PWM
 Five level PWM

2.2. SQUARE WAVE:

A square wave is a kind of non-sinusoidal
waveform, most typically encountered in
electronics and signal processing. An ideal
square wave alternates regularly and
instantaneously between two levels.
2.3. MODIFIED SINE WAVE: Fig 1: Sine wave, Modified Square wave
The output of a modified sine wave and Square wave
inverter is similar to a square wave output
except that the output goes to zero volts for and other sensitive equipment without
a time before switching positive or causing problems or noise. Things like
negative. It is simple and low cost but mains battery chargers also run better on
most AC motors will run on this power pure sine wave converters. There are two
source although at reduction in efficiency methods in which the low voltage DC
of approximately 20%and the motors may power is inverted. The first being the
also produce hissing sound while operating conversion of the low voltage DC power to
and will eventually reduce the life of a high voltage DC source, and then the
equipment. It reduces the energy efficiency conversion of the high DC source to an
of motors and transformers by 10 to 20 AC waveform, using different switching
percent. The wasted energy causes techniques. Another method to complete
abnormal heat which reduces the reliability the desired outcome would be to first
and longevity of motors and transformers convert the low voltage DC power to AC
and other devices, including some using different switching techniques, and
appliances and computer, thus the life of then use a transformer to boost the voltage
equipment becomes less than its actual life to 220 volts.
and some time it also damages the 2.5. PULSE WIDTH MODULATION:
equipment. Pulse-width modulation (PWM) is a
2.4. PURE SINE WAVE: technique in which pulses are generated
A pure or true sine wave inverter converts with variable widths according to the
the dc supply into a near perfect or pure interest of the user to control the output
sine wave, replicating the supply attained voltage generated by dc-dc or dc-ac
from a domestic ac power source such as a inverter systems on constant frequency,
plug socket. The sine wave has very little PWM switching schemes having PWM
harmonic distortion resulting in a very with Bi-polar switching and Uni-polar
‘clean’ supply and makes it ideal for switching[2].
running electronic systems such as PWM compares two signals, one taken as
computers, motors and microwave ovens the repetitive signal and the other as the
Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering & Emerging Technologies (ICEET), Superior
University, Lahore, PK, 26-27 March, 2015.

Fig 2: two, three & multilevel PWM

control signal whenever the power of

control signal increases greater than 50% 3. DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
3.1. PWM (BI-POLAR SWITCHING):
of the power of repetitive signal the PWM PWM of such types are used in systems in
generates an ON pulse, elsewhere 0 is which output voltage polarity is reversible,
generated .For a recursive system having for example a full bridge rectifier. The
feedback. The control signal may be seen operation principle is the same as
as an amplified error signal or the discussed but here there are two switch
difference between the actual voltage pairs, which are turned ON and OFF
signal and desired output voltage. The simultaneously. Since the output voltage
ratio of ON time period to that of the total varies between +Vd and –Vd, the switching
time period is referred to as switch duty scheme is referred to as bi-polar.
ratio and is expressed as 3.2. PWM (UNI-POLAR SWITCHING):
𝑡𝑜𝑛
D= 𝑇𝑠 Uni-polar switching is used in systems
The output of inverter circuits contain which have uni-polar output voltage, for
harmonics for that reason another term example single switch inverters. In these
regarding PWM is defined as amplitude systems the switches in inverters legs are
modulation Ma, which is a decisive factor, controlled individually. There are two
choosing an appropriate value for Ma control signals shifted 180 degrees apart ,
reduces harmonics in the system. compared with the repetitive pattern signal
Amplitude modulation is expressed as to generate the pulses for the inverter legs.
<𝑽>𝒄𝒐𝒏 For the same switching frequency a Uni-
Ma= ;
<𝑽>𝒕𝒓𝒊 polar PWM generates a better output
Where <v>con= peak amplitude of control voltage waveform than a BI-polar, since it
signal, uses effective switching provided by
<v>tri= amplitude of repetitive signal doubling the output voltage reducing the
The choice of selection of Ma is not ripple.
independent as it relies heavily on the 3.3. PWM (2-LEVEL INVERTER):
frequency of modulation too of the system, PWM for 2 level inverters employ the Bi-
which is defined as polar PWM switching technique. Since the
𝐹𝑠 output of inverter leg B is negative of the
Mf=𝐹1;
leg A output
Where Fs= carrier frequency/ frequency of In this PWM technique bipolar voltage
repetitive waveform signal wave form is obtained. The diagonally
opposite switches (TA +,TB-) and (TA -
F1= Modulating frequency/ frequency of
,TB+) from two legs in fig are switched as
control signal switch pair 1 and 2, respectively.
The output of inverter leg B is negative of
the leg A output.
Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering & Emerging Technologies (ICEET), Superior
University, Lahore, PK, 26-27 March, 2015.

When TA on and VA out is equal to +1/2VD of MOSFET before potential difference is

,TB – is on at the same time then VB out is reached.
equal to -1/2VD therefore VB out =-VA out 3.6. SNUBBER CIRCUIT:
So, Vout (t) =2VA(t) SNUBBERS are circuits used for
The wave form is given on the next page protecting semiconductor devices and to
The peak of fundamental component is given improve performance. The two most
as common ones are the resistor-capacitor
Vout (t) =maVD such that [ma≤ 1] (RC) damping network and the resistor-
The output wave switches between +VD and – capacitor-diode (RCD) turn-off
VD that’s why it is called bipolar inverter or SNUBBER. Some of the applications are
two level.  Reduce or eliminate voltage or
3.4. PWM (3-LEVEL INVERTER): current spikes
These types of inverter outputs are generated  Limit dI/dt or dV/dt
by employing Uni-polar PWM switching  Shape the load line to keep it
scheme, since the switches are handled within the safe operating area
independently and individually, Referring to (SOA)
the above given figure of full bridge inverter,  Transfer power dissipation from
leg A and B are controlled separately by the switch to a resistor or a useful
comparing the repetitive pattern signal with load
both the control signals (shifted from each  Reduce total losses due to
other by 180˚) as shown in fig 4. switching
For controlling Leg A(+veVcontrol is  Reduce EMI by damping voltage
compared with the repetitive signal) and current ringing.
Vcontrol>Vrep: Ta+ on and Van=Vd , 3.7. TRANSFORMER:
Vcontrol<Vrep: Ta- on and Van=0 Transformer is a simple device that can be
For controlling Leg B(-veVcontrol is used in the operation of stepping up or
compared with the repetitive signal) stepping down voltages. There are two
(-Vcontrol)>Vrep: Tb+ on and Vbn=Vd , (- types of transformers
Vcontrol)<Vrep: Tb- on and Vbn=0  Shell type
Uni polar output is due to the fact that it does  Core type.
not take account of the direction of travel of Both of them have their own advantages
current in the circuit and that is made and disadvantages. In inverter circuits
possible by connection of feedback diodes to transformers are deployed for stepping up
switches in anti-parallel. voltage levels [3].
3.5. MOSFET GATE DRIVER CIRCUIT: 3.8. LOW PASS FILTER:
The difference of voltage levels between LPF (low pass filter) is an active filter
the gate and drain terminals of a MOSFET formed by connecting L (inductance) with
C (capacitance) in such a manner that all
hampers the normal operation process of
undesired (High frequency) components
inverter, since the MOSFET do not are suppressed from the signal.
conduct until unless the gate terminal is 3.9. FEEDBACK:
approximately 10V higher than the drain Feedback is taken to control the output
terminal, normally the drain terminal is voltage as per desire. As inverter loads the
connected to the highest voltage in the output voltage wave form becomes
system(Vd>Vg). To overcome this distorted and cannot feed the connected
problem IC’s known as MOSFET drivers load properly, to combat this problem
are deployed. These IC’s increase the gate feedback is important part. In feedback
voltage by charging the input capacitance output voltage wave is compare with the
Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering & Emerging Technologies (ICEET), Superior
University, Lahore, PK, 26-27 March, 2015.

Fig 3: Full Bridge Inverter Fig 4: MOSFET Gate Driver Circuit

Desire signal and error signal is generate,

after amplifying error signal it is sent to
the comparator which then generates the
correct gate pulses for the desired output.
4. SIMULATION
4.1. TWO LEVEL INVERTER
SIMULATION:
Key object is to propose an economic
model for that reason we had to work on
both 2 and 3 level inverter, at the outset we
are simulating 2-level inverter. Inverters
require MOSFET driving pulses (gate
pulses) in order to turn on and turn off the
MOSFETS (switches) at a particular
pattern. These driving pulses can be
generated by implementing the algorithm
on SIMULINK. In PWM model we have
performed following steps:
 Generation of pulses
 Making square wave by providing
offset to pulses
 Integrating pulses to get triangular
wave
 Providing sine wave from inport
and triangular wave to comparator
 Comparator perform modulation
 Finally gate pulses for MOSFET
obtained from comparator
 Invert the pulses (for H-bridge
Fig 5: Model of Two level Inverter
operation)
 Pulses are use with the help of
outports.
Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering & Emerging Technologies (ICEET), Superior
University, Lahore, PK, 26-27 March, 2015.

Fig 6: Main Block diagram of Two level inverter

In fig 8 wave form is at no load. It looks

like a square wave but actually it is not
Instant. Now we have to analyze the
harmonics at any instant because it has
different average values at a particular.

Fig 7: output Waveform

Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering & Emerging Technologies (ICEET), Superior
University, Lahore, PK, 26-27 March, 2015.

Table 1: Harmonic analysis

ORDER OF HARMONICS MAGNITUDE
1 181
2 107
3 23.3
4 33.5
5 46
6 22.8
7 10.4
8 28.5

Fig 8: harmonic analysis of two level inverter

Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering & Emerging Technologies (ICEET), Superior
University, Lahore, PK, 26-27 March, 2015.

4.2. TOTAL HARMONIC

DISTORTION:
From table 1THD is the ratio of RMS
value of the total harmonics of the signal
to the RMS value of the fundamental
harmonics [4].
THD =Vh/Vf
THD = 1.36
4.3. THREE LEVEL INVERTER
SIMULATION:
The main part of an inverter is control
signal block which generates the gate
signals for MOSFET. It shows a major
role in harmonic content in output wave Fig 10: output waveform at No Load
form. If the frequency of these gate signals
vary then harmonic content is also vary Its
output waveform at No load, 50W load
and 100W load is shown in Fig 10, Fig 11
and Fig 12 respectively Output wave of 3-
level inverter at different loads shows that
as load increases voltage of the wave form
decreases. In order to avoid this affect we
have to use feedback, so that output
voltage remains constant up to the rated
KVA of inverter.

Fig 11: Output waveform at 50W Load

Fig 9: Model of 3 level inverter Fig 12: Output waveform at 100W load
Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering & Emerging Technologies (ICEET), Superior
University, Lahore, PK, 26-27 March, 2015.

Table 2: Harmonic analysis

ORDER OF HARMONICS MAGNITUDE

1 213
3 49.2
5 53.1
7 9.82
9 33.8
11 0
13 25.1
15 9.11

4.4. TOTAL HARMONICS DISTORTION:

THD is the ratio of RMS value of the total
harmonics of the signal to the RMS value
of the fundamental harmonics. [4]
THD=Vh/Vf, THD=0.5

Fig 13: Harmonic analysis of 3 level inverter

Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering & Emerging Technologies (ICEET), Superior
University, Lahore, PK, 26-27 March, 2015.

5. CONCLUSION Journal of Computer Applications (0975 -

Through the analysis of inverter on the 8887) Volume 12-No.11, January 2011.
basis of levels, we conclude that inverter
with less level, have high harmonic
content and higher THD than inverters
with more levels, which have less
harmonic content and less THD. Inverters
with greater levels are very costly due to
their complicated controlling. Through the
analysis of inverter on the basis of
transformer, we came to know that there is
isolation and cost problem, fault
management in transformer less inverter.
But location flexibility, input wave form
management of transformer less inverter is
high and size and weight is less than
inverter with transformer. Through the
analysis of different switching scheme of
inverter we conclude that 3- level inverters
have less harmonic contents and THD than
2- level inverter. The complexity of
hardware is more in 3-level inverter than
2-level inverter, although in simulation
both seem to be identical but practically
they are poles apart, for example their gate
signals generation is different therefore
controlling is different.
6. REFERENCES
[1] IEEE Industry Applications Magazine
January/February 1996.
[2] Power electronics by NED MOHAN,
TORE M.UNDELAND, and
WILLIAM P.ROBBINS.
[3] Comparing Transformer less to
Transformer-based UPS design by
EMERSION network power.
[4] A thesis submitted to department of
computer science and engineering of
BRAC University bay PAUL
PURIFICATION. And MODELLING and
SIMULATION OF SINGLE PHASE
INVERTER WITH PWM USING
MATLAB/SIMULINK AZUAN BIN
ALIAS Faculty of electrical & electronic
Engineering University Malaysia Pahang
NOVEMBER, 2007 &International