Grid Tied Multilevel Inverter with Power Quality

Monitoring

Abstract:
The Project is based on grid tied multi-level inverter with power quality analysis and
monitoring. A switch ladder multilevel inverter (SLMLI) topology is used to
develop a 17-level inverter. Multilevel inverters can generate the output
voltages with very low distortion. The SLMLI topology can reduce the
distortion to such a low level as required by the WAPDA for grid connectivity.
The power quality analyzer can measure voltage (RMS), current (RMS),
power factor, real power (P), reactive power (Q), apparent power (S), Total
Harmonic Distortion THD (current and voltage), crest factor (CF) using
National Instruments (NI) LABVIEW GUI.

Objectives:
Design of pure sine wave inverter for grid connectivity
To harness the energy from renewable energy sources
Development of a low cost power quality analyzer
Standalone system with a graphical user interface
Increased operational efficiency
To reduce manual operation

Methodology:
Hall Effect current sensors are used along with the current transformers (CTs)
to measures the current of a particular load for its quality monitoring. For a
high current measurement, CTs are used to measure the current whereas
small current measurement can be taken using only current sensors without
CTs. Potential transformers (PTs) are used to acquire the voltage data of the
system to calculate the power quality parameters. Multi-level Inverter is
implemented by controlling the switching action of MOSFETs by pulses
generated from myRIO FPGA. Each MOSFET is made to conduct at a
particular instant of time yielding a dc voltage at its output by a pulse control
signal from myRIO FPGA. Switch ladder multilevel inverter (SLMLI) topology is
implemented to get an approximate sinusoidal output voltage waveform. This
topology uses minimum number of 10 switches and 6 power supplies for single
phase implementation of 17-level inverter.

Summary:
Implemented a multilevel Inverter with very low value
of THD at its output
Successfully tested the multi-level inverter with 25W
bulbs
Developed a low price power quality analyzer
Developed a user friendly GUI displaying various
power quality parameters

Switch Ladder topology is implemented in designing the multilevel inverter which is

the most efficient technique for implementing multilevel inverters with very low
value of THD at its output with the use of minimum number of switches. Design of a
multilevel inverter with low value of THD at its output makes it possible to harness
the energy from Renewable energy sources which are the expected energy
resources of the future. The development of a very low price power quality analyzer
is an effective solution for measurement of various power quality parameters at
both domestic and industrial scale at minimum cost. The GUI developed for
measurement of various power quality parameters is user friendly and gives
accurate values as compared to standard power quality analyzers already available
in the market.
Applications:

Electric vehicle drivers, motor drivers, active filters,

DC power source utilization, grid connectivity
Electrical Load testing and load measurement.
Low cost load quality analysis
Energy can be harnessed easily using multi-level
inverter

Group Members:
Sajjad Ahmed 2013-EE-19
Muhammad Sohaib Shahid 2013-EE-121
Hamid Razzaq 2013-EE-41
Muhammad Umair Aslam 2013-EE-42