How to build a 3 phase inverter

This page is a quick-start guide to build a 3 phase inverter using imperix’s high-end control hardware for power electronics. It is specifically made to accompany users who want to get familiar with imperix’s solutions and build their first converter with the B-Box RCP using the Simulink blockset. The converter is built using an imperix power electronic bundle, but other equipment configurations can also be used. For details on how to assemble a power converter in an open rack, please refer to How to build a buck converter (PN119).

3 phase inverter implementation

This guide will focus on the implementation of a 3 phase inverter with open-loop generation of 3 phase sinusoidal currents in a resistive load. The topology of this converter is shown in the following diagram. It is simply made of three half-bridge modules, each connected to an inductor in series with a resistor.

Required hardware equipment

The power electronic bundle contains all the required imperix hardware to build a 3 phase inverter. Alternatively, the individual components are listed below. The list comprises imperix products as well as additional components commonly available in power electronic research laboratories:

• Imperix products:
  • 1x programmable controller (B-Box RCP)
  • 3x phase-leg modules (PEB8038 or PEB8024 or PEB4050)
  • 1x passives filters box
  • Control development tools for Simulink and PLECS (ACG SDK), with a valid license 
• Others:
  • 3x Resistors (5Ω to 100Ω)
  • A DC power supply (At least 100V 5A)
  • Safety laboratory cables (banana)
  • Optional: voltage and current probes with an oscilloscope

Passive components sizing

The circuit is built with 2.36 mH inductors from the passive filter box and 8.5 Ω resistors. Considering the operating conditions of the inverter, a DC bus voltage of 200 V guarantees a maximum output current of 8.3 A with a modulation index of 1. This is confirmed by the formula for the load current from the AN002 : $$I_{RMS}(M = 1) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{4} \frac{V_{dc}}{\sqrt{R^2 + (2\pi fL)^2}} = 8.3\,\text{A}$$ The output current is therefore well below the 13.5 [A] rating of the load resistors. The table below shows the values and a suggested range for the passive components used in this system.

	Chosen values	Suggested range
DC Bus	200 V	50-800 V (cf note below)
Inductors	2.36 mH	1-5 mH
Resistors	8.5 Ω	5-100 Ω (cf note below)

Note that Vdc, R, L must be selected to guarantee that Irms is always smaller than the current ratings of the resistors, inductors, and power modules.

Building the 3 phase inverter

The schematic below serves as a reference for the wiring of the power converter and the B-Box RCP controller.

Starting on the front face of the bundle, the first step is to connect the ethernet port of the B-Box RCP to the computer’s local network or directly to the PC, to later be able to upload code to the B-Box. Then, as shown in the schematic below, one needs to connect the optical fibers, for PWM signals, from the B-Box RCP to the three modules. The sensors’ measurements are retrieved by connecting RJ45 cables from the modules to the analog inputs of the B-Box RCP. In this case, the DC bus voltage, as well as the three leg currents, are measured.

On the back of the bundle, the power supply is connected to the modules’ DC+ and DC- power terminals. Then, the middle point of each module is wired to an inductor which is then connected to one of the resistors. The three resistors are then connected together in a star configuration.

Configuration of the B-Box front panel

To be able to properly retrieve the measurements, the analog input channels of the B-Box RCP need to be configured properly (more information on the analog front-end configuration of the B-Box RCP can be found here: Analog front-end configuration on B-Box RCP). The following parameters need to be configured:

• The impedance type (low or high)
• The programmable gain
• The desired filter
• The protection tresholds (limit high and low)

The following schematic illustrates the fully configurable front-end of the B-Box RCP.

Note that the impedance type depends on the type of sensor used and the programmable gain needs to match the one that will be later configured in the ADC block in software.

Before doing any experiments, it is essential to always properly configure the protection thresholds of the B-Box analog input for safety reasons. Their purpose is to block the PWM outputs which immediately stops the operation of the converter in case of unexpected high voltages or currents.

The LCD screen and rotary-push button of the B-Box allow to read and write all configuration parameters of the analog front-end. To access the related menu:

1. Push once, select ANALOG INPUTS and push again to confirm.
2. Select the desired input channel and confirm.

The equation: \(l = s*G*m\) is used to compute the analog input threshold, with l being the input’s limit high/low, s the sensor’s sensitivity, G the analog gain, and m the maximum/minimum real current or voltage value. The following table summarizes the measurement ranges (according to the previously defined operating point) and the sensor’s sensitivity.

Signal	Chosen min/max	Sensor	Sensitivity
\(I_{a,b,c}\)	-10 – 10 [A]	Module’s embedded current sensor	50 [mV/A]
\(V_{in}\)	0 – 200 [V]	Module’s embedded voltage sensor	4.99 [mV/V]

The measuring ranges involved allow for an analog input gain of x4 on all of the controller’s channels. Using the aforementioned formula the analog input limits are computed with some margin to avoid unwanted trippings. The chosen maximum output current is then set for 15A meaning a front panel limit of 3V. The DC bus voltage is chosen to be limited to 250V which gives 5V for the front panel limit. The configuration of the four analog input channels is summed up in the table below.

Measured signal	Input channel number	Low impedance	Gain	Filter	Limit high [V]	Limit low [V]	Disable safety	Save
\(I_a\)	0	no	x4	no	3	-3	no	yes
\(I_b\)	1	no	x4	no	3	-3	no	yes
\(I_c\)	2	no	x4	no	3	-3	no	yes
\(V_{DC}\)	3	no	x4	no	5	-0.2	no	yes

Software

Two pieces of software are required to develop the B-Box control code. The imperix Automated Code Generation Software Development Kit (ACG SDK) can be downloaded here. Besides, a compatible version of Matlab (2016 and newer) is required as well as the following toolboxes:

Creation of the Simulink model

The control model to implement a simple open-loop control of the output current is given below as well as step-by-step instructions on how to create it. To go further and implement closed-loop current control of the inverter, please refer to TN105.

Generation and real-time execution of the controller code

At last, the user can build the code by pressing Ctrl + B on Simulink (Ctrl + Alt + B on PLECS). This will automatically generate and compile the C code that will be uploaded on the B-Box RCP. Pressing Ctrl + B also launches the BB control utility software. Its purpose is to operate the target and to monitor the variables. The first window, shown below, lets the user select the B-Box RCP‘s IP. This IP will either be dynamic or static depending on whether the B-Box RCP is connected to the computer directly or through a network. For more information on the subject, please refer to Getting started with BB Control.

Then, when connected, the BB Control utility software automatically starts the code. At this point, one can add the control variables, as well as the probes to the watch list in the debugging tab. In this case, the user can add the three measured current as well as the DC bus voltage: \(I_{a}\), \(I_{b}\), \(I_{c}\), \(V_{dc}\) and modulation index \(M\).

Note that since the sensors are designed for higher current and voltage measurements (50 [A] and 800 [V]), they might be an offset when measuring smaller values.

On the Datalogging tab of BB Control, the three duty cycles can be observed to check that they are indeed sinusoidal. If so, one can turn on the power supply and slowly increase the voltage to 200 [V]. To make sure that the input voltage measurement is correct, the user could verify that \(V_{dc}\) is indeed close to 200 [V] on BB control. The last step is then to set a value for the amplitude of the modulation signals, 0.8 for instance, and press the enable output button. One should then measure sinusoidal output currents of around 6 [A] RMS.

The following experimental currents show the expected results:

To go further…

One could then connect the 3 phase inverter to the grid and replace the DC power supply with a photovoltaic panel with a boost stage, to form a Three-phase PV inverter for grid-tied applications and showcase the great potential of imperix’s solution for modular power converters.