Reference design delivers a five-level three-phase inverter using MOSFETs for industrial motor drive and power conversion applications.
Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation has introduced a reference design for a three-phase multilevel inverter using MOSFETs. Developed to drive AC 200 V motors in industrial applications, the design employs a five-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) topology to improve output waveform quality while reducing harmonic distortion and switching losses. Complete design resources are also provided to help engineers accelerate inverter development.
The reference design operates from a 400 V DC input and produces a three-phase AC output voltage ranging from 200 V to 240 V, with an output current of up to 10 A. The inverter board measures 240 mm x 150 mm, and it uses 150 V N-channel MOSFETs, photocouplers, low drop-out regulators and comparators for successful inverter and motor operations.
The five-level NPC topology enables the inverter to produce stepped output voltage waveforms that more closely approximate a sine wave than conventional two-level inverters. This reduces switching losses, electromagnetic interference and output harmonic distortion while also lowering the voltage stress on individual switching devices.
The inverter incorporates overcurrent detection circuits to improve operational safety and system reliability. Photocouplers provide electrical isolation between the control and power circuits, while the low-dropout regulators provide stable operating voltages to the control circuits.
Toshiba provides the reference design with a reference guide, design guide, schematic diagrams, bill of materials, PCB design files and PCB manufacturing files. The editable design files for various electronic design automation tools are also provided to enable customisation of the inverter.
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