Two Modified Z-Source Inverter Topologies - A Solution to the Issues of Start-Up Dc-Link Voltage Overshoot and Source Current Ripple

Abstract

This paper proposes two modified Z-source inverter topologies, namely an embedded L-Z-source inverter (EL-ZSI) and a coupled inductor L-Z source inverter (CL-ZSI). The proposed topologies offer a high voltage gain with a reduced passive component count and reduction in source current ripple when compared to conventional ZSI topologies. Additionally, they prevent overshoot in the dc-link voltage by suppressing heavy inrush currents. This feature reduces the transition time to reach the peak value of the dc-link voltage, and reduces the risk of component failure and overrating due to the inrush current. EL-ZSI and CL-ZSI possess all of the inherent advantages of the conventional L-ZSI topology while eliminating its drawbacks. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed topologies, MATLAB/Simulink models and scaled down laboratory prototypes were constructed. Experiments were performed at a low shoot through duty ratio of 0.1 and a modulation index as high as 0.9 to obtain a peak dc-link voltage of 53 V. This paper demonstrates the superiority of the proposed topologies over conventional ZSI topologies through a detailed comparative analysis. Moreover, experimental results verify that the proposed topologies would be advantageous for renewable energy source applications since they provide voltage gain enhancement, inrush current, dc-link voltage overshoot suppression and a reduction of the peak to peak source current ripple.