Showing papers on "Inverter published in 2007"

Modeling, Analysis and Testing of Autonomous Operation of an Inverter-Based Microgrid

Abstract: The analysis of the small-signal stability of conventional power systems is well established, but for inverter based microgrids there is a need to establish how circuit and control features give rise to particular oscillatory modes and which of these have poor damping. This paper develops the modeling and analysis of autonomous operation of inverter-based microgrids. Each sub-module is modeled in state-space form and all are combined together on a common reference frame. The model captures the detail of the control loops of the inverter but not the switching action. Some inverter modes are found at relatively high frequency and so a full dynamic model of the network (rather than an algebraic impedance model) is used. The complete model is linearized around an operating point and the resulting system matrix is used to derive the eigenvalues. The eigenvalues (termed "modes") indicate the frequency and damping of oscillatory components in the transient response. A sensitivity analysis is also presented which helps identifying the origin of each of the modes and identify possible feedback signals for design of controllers to improve the system stability. With experience it is possible to simplify the model (reduce the order) if particular modes are not of interest as is the case with synchronous machine models. Experimental results from a microgrid of three 10-kW inverters are used to verify the results obtained from the model

Predictive Current Control of a Voltage Source Inverter

Abstract: This paper presents a predictive current control method and its application to a voltage source inverter. The method uses a discrete-time model of the system to predict the future value of the load current for all possible voltage vectors generated by the inverter. The voltage vector which minimizes a quality function is selected. The quality function used in this work evaluates the current error at the next sampling time. The performance of the proposed predictive control method is compared with hysteresis and pulsewidth modulation control. The results show that the predictive method controls very effectively the load current and performs very well compared with the classical solutions

Transformerless Inverter for Single-Phase Photovoltaic Systems

Abstract: When no transformer is used in a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system, a galvanic connection between the grid and the PV array exists. In these conditions, dangerous leakage currents (common-mode currents) can appear through the stray capacitance between the PV array and the ground. In order to avoid these leakage currents, different inverter topologies that generate no varying common-mode voltages, such as the half-bridge and the bipolar pulsewidth modulation (PWM) full-bridge topologies, have been proposed. The need of a high-input voltage represents an important drawback of the half-bridge. The bipolar PWM full bridge requires a lower input voltage but exhibits a low efficiency. This letter proposes a new high-efficiency topology that generates no varying common-mode voltage and requires the same low-input voltage as the bipolar PWM full bridge. The proposed topology has been verified in a 5-kW prototype with satisfactory results

Predictive Control of a Three-Phase Neutral-Point-Clamped Inverter

Abstract: A new predictive strategy for current control of a three-phase neutral-point-clamped inverter is presented. The algorithm is based on a model of the system. From that model, the behavior of the system is predicted for each possible switching state of the inverter. The state that minimizes a given quality function is selected to be applied during the next sampling interval. Several compositions of are proposed, including terms dedicated to achieve reference tracking, balance in the dc link, and reduction of the switching frequency. In comparison to an established control method, the strategy presents a remarkable performance. The proposed method achieves comparable reference tracking with lower switching frequency per semiconductor and similar transient behavior. The main advantage of the method is that it does not require any kind of linear controller or modulation technique, achieving a different approach to control a power converter.

Comparison of Traditional Inverters and $Z$ -Source Inverter for Fuel Cell Vehicles

Abstract: In this paper, three different inverters: conventional pulsewidth modulation (PWM) inverter, dc-dc boosted PWM inverter, and Z-source inverter were investigated and compared for fuel cell vehicle application. Total switching device power, passive components requirement, and constant power speed ratio of each of these inverters were calculated. For purposes of comparison, an example of the total switching device power, requirement of passive components, the constant power speed ratio, and the efficiencies of the different inverters for fuel cell vehicle powered by the same fuel cell were conducted. The comparisons show that the Z-source inverter is very promising in applications when the boost ratio is low (1-2).

Multi-Input Inverter for Grid-Connected Hybrid PV/Wind Power System

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to propose a novel multi-input inverter for the grid-connected hybrid photovoltaic (PV)/wind power system in order to simplify the power system and reduce the cost. The proposed multi-input inverter consists of a buck/buck-boost fused multi-input dc-dc converter and a full-bridge dc-ac inverter. The output power characteristics of the PV array and the wind turbine are introduced. The perturbation and observation method is used to accomplish the maximum power point tracking algorithm for input sources. The operational principle of the proposed multi-input inverter is explained. The control circuit is realized by using a digital signal processor and auxiliary analog circuits. For practical applications, functions of soft-start and circuit protection are implemented. Experimental results have shown the performance of the proposed multi-input inverter with desired features

Application of Z-Source Inverter for Traction Drive of Fuel Cell—Battery Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Abstract: This paper presents a Z-source inverter control strategy used to control power from the fuel cell, power to the motor, and state of charge (SOC) of the battery for fuel cell (FC)-battery hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEV). Traditional pulsewidth modulation inverter always requires an extra dc/dc converter to interface the battery in FCHEVs. The Z-source inverter utilizes an exclusive Z-source (LC) network to link the main inverter circuit to the FC (or any dc power source). By substituting one of the capacitors in the Z-source with a battery and controlling the shoot through duty ratio and modulation index independently, one is able to control the FC power, output power, and SOC of the battery at the same time. These facts make the Z-source inverter highly desirable for use in FCHEVs, as the cost and complexity is greatly reduced when compared to traditional inverters. These new concepts will be demonstrated by simulation and experimental results

Microgrid Protection

Abstract: In general, a microgrid can operate in both the grid-connected mode and the islanded mode where the microgrid is interfaced to the main power system by a fast semiconductor switch called static switch, (SS). It is essential to protect a microgrid in both the grid-connected and the islanded modes of operation against all types of faults. The major issue arises in island operation with inverter-based sources. Inverter fault currents are limited by the ratings of the silicon devices to around 2 p.u. rated current. Fault currents in islanded inverter based microgrids may not have adequate magnitudes to use traditional overcurrent protection techniques. The philosophy for protection is to have the same protection strategies for both islanded and grid-connected operation. The static switch is designed to open for all faults.

Low Frequency Current Ripple Reduction Technique With Active Control in a Fuel Cell Power System With Inverter Load

Abstract: A fuel cell power system that contains a single-phase dc-ac inverter tends to draw an ac ripple current at twice the output frequency. Such a ripple current may shorten fuel cell life span and worsen the fuel efficiency due to the hystersis effect. The most obvious impact is it tends to reduce the fuel cell output capacity because the fuel cell controller trips under instantaneous over-current condition. In this paper, the ripple current propagation path is analyzed, and its linearized ac model is derived. The equivalent circuit model and ripple current reduction with passive energy storage component are simulated and verified with experiments. An advanced active control technique is then proposed to incorporate a current control loop in the dc-dc converter for ripple reduction. The proposed active ripple reduction method has been verified with computer simulation and hardware experiment with a proton exchange membrane type fuel cell using a multiphase dc-dc converter along with a full-bridge dc-ac inverter. Test results with open loop, single voltage loop, and the proposed active current-loop control are provided for comparison.

Ground currents in single-phase transformerless photovoltaic systems

Abstract: The relative weight of the energy generated by means of renewable sources is constantly increasing. Among all these sources, the photovoltaic (PV) systems present the higher and more stable relative growth. However, the PV system is still too expensive and a significant effort is being done to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost. Concerning the PV inverters, this has lead to the elimination of the low frequency (LF) transformer that has been traditionally included. The LF transformer provides isolation from the grid but reduces the PV inverter efficiency and increases its size and cost. However, the elimination of the transformer might generate strong ground currents, which become now an important design parameter for the PV inverter. The ground currents are a function of the system stray elements. However, there is no simple model and procedure to study the common mode behavior of a PV system, which is required to analyze the ground currents. In this paper, a comprehensible model is proposed which provides a better understanding of the common mode issue in single-phase transformerless PV systems. In addition, a procedure is developed to analyze the global performance, efficiency, grid current quality, and common mode behavior of a PV inverter as a function of its particular structure and modulation technique. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Repetitive-Based Controller for a UPS Inverter to Compensate Unbalance and Harmonic Distortion

Abstract: This paper discusses a repetitive-based controller for an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) inverter. It is shown that a bank of resonant filters, used as a refinement term for harmonic compensation in earlier works, is equivalent to a repetitive scheme with a particular structure. The latter is implemented using a simple feedback array with a delay line, thus making the implementation relatively easy. More precisely, the repetitive scheme takes a negative feedback structure plus a feedforward path whenever the odd harmonics are considered for compensation only. The repetitive scheme, equivalent to the bank of resonant filters, acts as a refinement term to reject the harmonic distortion caused by the unbalanced and distorted load current, and thus, allowing the UPS inverter to deliver an almost pure sinusoidal balanced voltage. Experimental results in a 1.5 KVA three-phase inverter are included to show the performance of the proposed controller

Fault Current Contribution From Synchronous Machine and Inverter Based Distributed Generators

Abstract: There are advantages of installing distributed generation (DG) in distribution systems: for example, improving reliability, mitigating voltage sags, unloading subtransmission and transmission system, and sometimes utilizing renewables. All of these factors have resulted in an increase in the use of DGs. However, the increase of fault currents in power systems is a consequence of the appearance of new generation sources. Some operating and planning limitations may be imposed by the resulting fault currents. This paper discusses a model of inverter based DGs which can be used to analyze the dynamic performance of power systems in the presence of DGs. In a style similar to protective relaying analysis, three-dimensional plots are used to depict the behavior of system reactance (X) and resistance (R) versus time. These plots depict operating parameters in relation to zones of protection, and this information is useful for the coordination of protection systems in the presence of DG

Passive Filter Design for Three-Phase Inverter Interfacing in Distributed Generation

Abstract: With the growing use of inverters in distributed generation, the problem of injected harmonics becomes critical. These harmonics require the connection of low pass filters between the inverter and the network. This paper presents a design method for the output LC filter in grid coupled applications in distributed generation systems. The design is according to the harmonics standards that determine the level of current harmonics injected into the grid network. Analytical expressions for the maximum inductor ripple current are derived. The filter capacitor design depends on the allowable level of switching components injected into the grid. Different passive filter damping techniques to suppress resonance affects are investigated and evaluated. Simulated results are included to verify the derived expressions.

Resistance Compression Networks for Radio-Frequency Power Conversion

Abstract: A limitation of many high-frequency resonant inverter topologies is their high sensitivity to loading conditions. This paper introduces a new class of matching networks that greatly reduces the load sensitivity of resonant inverters and radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers. These networks, which we term resistance compression networks, serve to substantially decrease the variation in effective resistance seen by a tuned RF inverter as loading conditions change. We explore the operation, performance characteristics, and design of these networks, and present experimental results demonstrating their performance. Their combination with rectifiers to form RF-to-dc converters having narrow-range resistive input characteristics is also treated. The application of resistance compression in resonant power conversion is demonstrated in a dc-dc power converter operating at 100MHz

A Ripple-Mitigating and Energy-Efficient Fuel Cell Power-Conditioning System

Abstract: We describe an energy-efficient, fuel-cell power-conditioning system (PCS) for stationary application, which reduces the variations in the current drawn from the fuel-cell stack and can potentially meet the $40/kW cost target. The PCS consists of a zero-ripple boost converter (ZRBC) followed by a soft-switched and multilevel high-frequency (HF) inverter and a single-phase cycloconverter. The ZRBC comprises a new zero-ripple filter (ZRF), which significantly reduces the input low- and high-frequency current ripples, thereby potentially enhancing the durability of the stack. A new phase-shifted sinewave modulation of the multilevel HF inverter is proposed, which results in the zero-voltage switching (ZVS) of all four switches without the use of any auxiliary circuit components. For such a sine wave modulation technique, >90% ZVS range is obtained per line cycle for about 70% of the rated load. Further, the line-frequency switching of the cycloconverter (at close to unity power factor) results in extremely low switching losses. The intermediate dc bus facilitates the inclusion of power systems based on other forms of alternative-energy techniques (e.g., photovoltaic/high-voltage stack). A 5 kW prototype of the proposed PCS is built, which currently achieves a peak efficiency of 92.4%. We present a detailed description of the operation of the PCS along with its key features and advantages. Finally, experimental results showing the satisfactory performance and the operation of the PCS are demonstrated.

A General Space Vector PWM Algorithm for Multilevel Inverters, Including Operation in Overmodulation Range

Abstract: This paper proposes a simple space vector pulsewidth modulation algorithm for a multilevel inverter for operation in the overmodulation range. The proposed scheme easily determines the location of the reference vector and calculates on-times. It uses a simple mapping to generate gating signals for the inverter. A five-level cascaded inverter is used to explain the scheme. The scheme can be easily extended to a n-level inverter. It is applicable to neutral point clamped topology as well. Experimental results are provided for five-level and seven-level cascaded inverters

An Improved Deadbeat Current Control Scheme With a Novel Adaptive Self-Tuning Load Model for a Three-Phase PWM Voltage-Source Inverter

Abstract: In this paper, an improved deadbeat current control scheme with a novel adaptive self-tuning load model for a three-phase pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) voltage-source inverter is proposed. First, to achieve high-bandwidth current control characteristics, an improved deadbeat current controller with delay compensation is adopted. The compensation method forces the delay elements, which are caused by voltage calculation, PWM, and synchronous frame rotation, to be equivalently placed outside the closed-loop control system. Hence, their effect on the closed-loop stability is eliminated, and the current controller can be designed with a higher bandwidth. Second, to relax the parameter sensitivity issue of the deadbeat controller and to realize a control scheme with reduced sensors, a novel adaptive self-tuning load model is emerged in the control structure. The adaptive model is designed with low computational demand to estimate in real time the load parameters (R,L) and the back-electromotive-force voltage simultaneously. A unified solution to the present nonlinear estimation problem is presented by adopting a parallel observer structure. Furthermore, the adaptive model has the necessary phase advance of the estimated quantities, which compensates for the total system's delay. Comparative evaluation results are presented to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed control scheme

Optimal Modulation of Flying Capacitor and Stacked Multicell Converters Using a State Machine Decoder

Abstract: Modulation of flying capacitor and stacked multicell converters is complicated by the fact that these converters have redundant states that achieve the same phase leg voltage output. Hence, a modulator must use some secondary criteria such as cell voltage balancing to fully define the converter switched state. Alternatively, the modulator can be adapted to directly specify the cell states, such as has been proposed for the harmonically optimal phase disposition (PD) strategy. However the techniques reported to date can lead to uneven distribution of switching transitions between cells, and the synthesis of narrow switched phase leg pulses. This paper presents an improved strategy that decouples the tasks of voltage level selection and switching event distribution. Conventional PD and centered space vector pulsewidth modulation (CSVPWM) strategies are used to define the target voltage level for the converter, and a finite state machine is then used to distribute the transitions to the converter cells in a cyclical fashion. Experimental results for a four-level flying capacitor inverter are presented, verifying that the natural balancing properties of this converter has been preserved, the cell switching utilization is equal and the expected harmonic gains of PD and CSVPWM compared to phase shifted carrier PWM have been achieved

Eliminating ground current in a transformerless photovoltaic application

Abstract: A single phase converter can be used for low-power grid connected applications. In photovoltaic applications it is possible to remove the transformer in the inverter in order to reduce losses, costs and size. Galvanic connection of the grid and the DC sources in transformerless systems can introduce additional leakage currents because of the earth parasitic capacitance. This currents increase conducted and radiated electromagnetic emissions, harmonics injected in the utility grid and system losses. Amplitude and spectrum of ground current depends on the converter topology, on the switching strategy and on the resonant circuit formed by the ground capacitance, the converter, the AC filter and the grid. In this paper, the leakage current in a 1.5 kW photovoltaic installation is measured. The installation includes a string of sixteen panels, a full bridge inverter and a LCL filter. Influence of inverter topology and modulation strategy on the magnitude of the leakage current is presented. Finally, the use of neutral point clamped inverters in transformerless photovoltaic applications is studied.

Transient Modeling and Analysis of Pulse-Width Modulated Z-Source Inverter

Abstract: The newly proposed Z-Source inverter has been proven in the literature to exhibit both steady-state voltage buck and boost capabilities using a unique LC impedance network coupled between the power source and converter circuit. This paper now presents transient modeling and analysis of a voltage-type Z-source inverter. These aspects are found to be challenging and they need to be carefully investigated before attempting to design advanced control algorithms for controlling the Z-source inverter. Through detailed analysis, the paper identifies several phenomena on the dc and ac-sides of the inverter, which would result in the inverter having a non-minimum-phase transient response. The dc-side phenomenon is associated with the Z-source impedance network, which is shown through small-signal and signal-flow-graph analyses to be having a right-half-plane zero in its control-to-output transfer function. Also, the ac-side phenomenon is shown through space vector analysis to depend on the time intervals of inverter states used for reconstructing the desired inverter output voltage. Based on the ac vectorial analysis, a method for improving the inverter transient response is also presented. Last, simulation results obtained using a switching-functional model and experimental results obtained using a laboratory prototype are presented for validating the described theoretical concepts

A Novel Nine-Switch Inverter for Independent Control of Two Three-Phase Loads

Abstract: Industrial applications require large numbers of motors. For example, motors are used to manipulate industrial robots, an electric vehicles with in-wheel motors and electric trains. Two methods exist for controlling PM motors providing an inverter to control each motor, and connecting the motors in parallel and driving them with a single inverter. The first method makes an experimental apparatus complex and expensive; the second does not allow independent control of each motor because of differences in rotor angle between the two motors. Thus, we propose a novel nine-switch inverter that can independently control two three-phase loads. This paper introduces the structure of the nine-switch inverter, which is made from nine switches. The validity of the proposed inverter is verified through simulations and experiments.

Algorithms for Controlling Both the DC Boost and AC Output Voltage of Z-Source Inverter

Abstract: This paper aims to achieve good performance for both the dc boost and the ac output voltage control of the Z-source inverter (ZSI). The algorithm to control linearly the capacitor voltage is suggested in order to improve the transient response for dc boost control of the ZSI. The peak value of the ac output voltage is used to control exactly the ac output voltage to its desired level. A modified space vector pulsewidth modulation scheme is applied to control the shoot-through time for boosting dc voltage. The proposed algorithms are verified with simulation and experiment with a 32-bit digital signal processor.

Three-Level Z-Source Inverters Using a Single LC Impedance Network

Abstract: Three-level Z-source inverters are recent single-stage topological solutions proposed for buck-boost energy conversion with all favorable advantages of three-level switching retained. Despite their effectiveness in achieving voltage buck-boost conversion, existing three-level Z-source inverters use two LC impedance networks and two isolated dc sources, which can significantly increase the overall system cost and require a more complex modulator for balancing the network inductive voltage boosting. Offering a number of less costly alternatives, this letter presents the design and control of two three-level Z-source inverters, whose output voltage can be stepped down or up using only a single LC impedance network connected between the dc input source and either a neutral-point-clamped (NPC) or dc-link cascaded inverter circuitry. Through careful design of their modulation scheme, both inverters can function with the minimum of six device commutations per half carrier cycle (similar to that needed by a traditional buck three-level NPC inverter), while producing the correct volt-sec average and inductive voltage boosting at their ac output terminals. Physically, the designed modulation scheme can conveniently be implemented using a generic "alternative phase opposition disposition" carrier-based modulator with the appropriate triplen offset and time advance/delay added. The designed inverters, having a reduced passive component count, are lastly tested in simulation and experimentally using a laboratory prototype with the captured results presented in a later section of the letter

State-space model of grid-connected inverters under current control mode

Abstract: Growth of distributed generation has led to distribution systems with a mixture of rotating machine generators and inverter interfaced generators. The stability of such networks needs to be studied through the analysis of state-space models, and so suitable models of inverters are needed to complement the well-established models of rotating machines. As machine models include features such as automatic voltage regulators and wash-out functions, the inverter model also includes phase-locking functions and internal control loops. The model for voltage source inverters with an internal current control loop, an outer power regulation loop, a measurement of average power and a phase-locked loop has been developed. The model is presented in detail and is formed with a state-vector, similar to that used for rotating machines. The model includes nonlinear terms but can be linearised about an operating point. The state-space model is verified against a component-level time-step simulation in Simulink/PLECS.

Development of a Comprehensive Model and a Multiloop Controller for $Z$ -Source Inverter DG Systems

Abstract: This paper presents the modeling and design of a closed-loop controller for a Z-source inverter. The Z-source inverter is a recently proposed single-stage power converter, and it is capable of operating in both buck and boost modes. Hence, this inverter gives an economical solution for power conversion in distributed generation (DG) applications, particularly by eliminating the need for a two-stage conversion. Moreover, applications such as DG demand quality output waveforms, and additionally, when the system is subjected to input- and load-side disturbances, their effects need to be minimized. This can be achieved with closed-loop controlling. Toward this end, the system is modeled first with large- and small-signal modeling techniques, and relevant transfer functions are derived. The dc-side of the Z-source inverter shows a non-minimum-phase characteristic, and the output voltage of a Z-source impedance network shows a significant overshoot and undershoot, following a step change in the input due to energy resettling. These effects could be transferred to the ac-side, giving rise to the undershoot and overshoot in the ac output as well. Hence, the proposed controllers should be able to minimize such effects. The ac- and dc-sides are considered separately when designing the controllers. An indirect controller is employed in the dc-side, whereas the ac-side controller is designed in the synchronous reference frame. The modulation index, shoot-through time, and saturation levels are appropriately selected so that the dc-side effects are prevented from propagating into the ac-side. The simulation results are obtained using a state-space-averaged inverter model, and an experimental prototype is built in a laboratory to prove the efficacy of the proposed algorithm. Simulation and experimental results show good reference-tracking and disturbance-rejection properties, validating the desired functionality of the proposed controller.

Control of Single-Phase-to-Three-Phase AC/DC/AC PWM Converters for Induction Motor Drives

Abstract: This paper proposes a novel control scheme of single-phase-to-three-phase pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) converters for low-power three-phase induction motor drives, where a single-phase half-bridge PWM rectifier and a two-leg inverter are used. With this converter topology, the number of switching devices is reduced to six from ten in the case of full-bridge rectifier and three-leg inverter systems. In addition, the source voltage sensor is eliminated with a state observer, which controls the deviation between the model current and the system current to be zero. A simple scalar voltage modulation method is used for a two-leg inverter, and a new technique to eliminate the effect of the dc-link voltage ripple on the inverter output current is proposed. Although the converter topology itself is of lower cost than the conventional one, it retains the same functions such as sinusoidal input current, unity power factor, dc-link voltage control, bidirectional power flow, and variable-voltage and variable-frequency output voltage. The experimental results for the V/f control of 3-hp induction motor drives controlled by a digital signal processor TMS320C31 chip have verified the effectiveness of the proposed scheme

A D-Q Frame Controller for a Full-Bridge Single Phase Inverter Used in Small Distributed Power Generation Systems

Abstract: This paper presents a Direct-Quadrature (DQ) rotating frame control method for single phase full-bridge inverters used in small hybrid power systems. A secondary orthogonal imaginary circuit is created to provide the second phase required for the transformation; thus a DQ model of the inverter is obtained and its controller designed emulating the controls of three-phase power converters. The proposed controller attains infinite loop gain in the rotating coordinate, thus providing zero steady-state error at the fundamental frequency of the converter. The proposed controller is designed and validated through simulations using a DQ-frame average model in Matlab and a detailed switching model in Saber, as well as experimental results obtained with a 2.5 kW single phase full-bridge inverter prototype using a DSP/FPGA based digital control system where the proposed DQ-frame controller is fully implemented.

High-Speed Control of IPMSM Drives Using Improved Fuzzy Logic Algorithms

Abstract: This paper presents an improved fuzzy logic controller (FLC) for an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) for high-performance industrial drive applications. In the proposed control scheme for high-speed operations above the rated speed, the operating limits of IPMSM are expanded by incorporating the maximum torque per ampere operation in constant torque region and the flux-weakening operation in constant power region. The power ratings of the motor and the inverter are considered in developing the control algorithm. A new and simple FLC is utilized as a speed controller. The FLC is developed to have less computational burden, which makes it suitable for real-time implementation, particularly at high-speed operating conditions. The complete drive is implemented in real-time using digital signal processor (DSP) controller board DS 1102 on a laboratory 1-hp IPM motor. The efficiency of the proposed control scheme is evaluated through both experimental and computer simulation results. The proposed controller is found to be robust for high-speed applications

Pulsewidth-Modulated $Z$ -Source Neutral-Point-Clamped Inverter

Abstract: This paper presents the careful integration of a newly proposed Z-source topological concept to the basic neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverter topology for designing a three-level inverter with both voltage-buck and voltage-boost capabilities. The designed Z-source NPC inverter uses two unique X-shaped inductance-capacitance (LC) impedance networks that are connected between two isolated dc input power sources and its inverter circuitry for boosting its AC output voltage. Through the design of an appropriate pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) algorithm, the two impedance networks can be short-circuited sequentially (without shooting through the inverter full DC link) for implementing the ldquonearest-three-vectorrdquo modulation principle with minimized harmonic distortion and device commutations per half carrier cycle while performing voltage boosting. With only a slight modification to the inverter PWM algorithm and by short-circuiting the two impedance networks simultaneously, the designed NPC inverter, with no requirement for deadtime delay, can also be operated with a completely eliminated common-mode voltage. Implementation wise, a detailed vectorial analysis interestingly shows that the same generic set of carrier-based modulation expressions can be used for controlling the -source two-level inverter and NPC inverter with and without reduced common-mode switching. All findings presented in this paper have been confirmed in simulation and experimentally using an implemented laboratory prototype.