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IET Renewable Power Generation

Research Article

Multilevel inverter for interfacing renewable ISSN 1752-1416


Received on 17th January 2017
Revised 9th August 2017
energy sources with low/medium- and high- Accepted on 8th September 2017
E-First on 20th October 2017
voltage grids doi: 10.1049/iet-rpg.2016.1034
www.ietdl.org

Rekha Agrawal1 , Shailendra Jain1


1Department of Electrical Engineering, MANIT, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
E-mail: rekha.agrawal09@gmail.com

Abstract: This study presents a new multilevel inverter (MLI) with reduced devices, for low/medium- and high-voltage
applications. The proposed MLI is evolved from existing cross-connected source-based multilevel inverter (CCS-MLI), results in
reduced switches, driver circuits, diodes, and DC voltage sources when compared with the classical CHB, CCS-MLI, and other
MLIs. Owing to reduced device numbers, the complexity, size, cost, and maintenance of the proposed topology are greatly
reduced. The detailed analysis and working of the proposed topology is presented along with its comparison with classical,
CCS-MLI, and other MLIs. Different algorithms are presented for selecting appropriate magnitudes of DC voltage sources to
generate different voltage levels in the output. The proposed MLI is suitable for grid integration of renewable energy sources.
The concept is presented through modelling and simulation in MATLAB/Simulation environment and validated through real-time
simulator OPAL-RT (OP-4500).

1 Introduction topology proposed for the reduced number of switches [23], needs
bidirectional switches, increases its component count when
Recently, grid-connected multilevel inverters (MLIs) have been compared with other topologies. The symmetric and asymmetric
researched for integration and utilisation with renewable energy MLI topology with reduced number of devices have been
sources (RES) [1–3]. Numerous MLIs have been investigated for thoroughly explored in the literature with the name cross-
grid- and microgrid-connected systems successfully [4]. Earlier, connected source-based multilevel inverter (CCS-MLI) [24, 25].
two-level inverters with step-up transformer and output filter were The main limitation of this topology is that the number of DC
commonly used for grid integration. Nowadays, MLIs are proposed sources and drivers is not reduced. Similarly, the symmetric and
without transformers and filters for low/medium-voltage asymmetric MLIs with reduced number of devices have been
applications (L/M VA), and with high-frequency transformer for presented in [26], but the number of DC sources and drivers is not
high-voltage applications (HVA) [5]. As per international reduced.
standards, L/M VA are allowed without galvanic isolation, whereas An attempt has been made to reduce the number of devices in
HVA require high-frequency transformer for isolation [6, 7]. The [27], but the use of single DC source makes them unsuitable for
size and weight of high-frequency transformer is much less when HVA. In [28], another topology is proposed for both symmetric and
compared with fundamental frequency transformer. Hence, MLIs asymmetric configurations, with reduced number of devices, but it
with high-frequency transformers are commonly known as requires bidirectional switches (which utilise a configuration of
transformerless systems [8]. single switch with four diodes), increases the voltage drop and
Further, filter requirement reduces with an increase in output number of diodes in the topology.
voltage levels in MLIs [9, 10]. As a result, today's MLIs with In this paper, a new MLI topology is proposed, analysed, and
increased output levels allow filterless and transformerless implemented for L/M VA and HVA, specifically for grid
operation for L/M VA and HVA for grid integration. This results in integration. In addition, the generalised structure of the proposed
reduced size, weight, and overall volume of the system topology is also discussed. The main advantages of the proposed
significantly [11, 12]. structure are: reduction in component count, size, maintenance, and
Three classical MLI topologies commonly used for DC–AC complexity, which is confirmed through its comparison with
conversion are diode-clamped, flying capacitor (FC), and cascaded classical MLI, CCS-MLI, and other MLI topologies. Nearest level
H-bridge (CHB) [13–18]. However, the increase in the number of control (NLC) technique is adopted to generate control pulses.
controlled switches, driver circuits, auxiliary components NLC technique generates lower total harmonic distortion (THD)
(clamping diodes or FCs), and DC sources for increase in output than other modulation techniques, for the same number of levels.
levels are the major drawback associated with classical MLIs. For grid integration, the THD of output voltage should be <5% (as
Therefore, MLIs with reduced component count and less per IEEE-519) with minimum number of power components.
complexity are researched and developed as a viable alternative. Finally, a design example of the proposed topology is presented
A review of various MLI topologies with the idea of reduced and validated through real-time simulation to ascertain its
component count is presented in [19]. Recently, modular multilevel performance and feasibility.
converter has generated great interest as they can be extended for
the higher voltage applications with a simple modular structure
[20, 21]. In other topologies, symmetric design of the MLI is 2 Proposed structure
reported [22]. The main advantage of this topology is its fewer Fig. 1 shows the fundamental unit of the proposed MLI, which
component count compared with CHB. With reduction in synthesises AC output from input DC sources, with the proper
component count, the circuit becomes less complex. Additionally, combination of switches. The proposed MLI consist of eight
the cost and size of system also reduces. However, its implement switches (six unidirectional and one bi-directional switch having
ability only with symmetric voltage sources is the main limitation two switches), two DC voltage sources, and one voltage divider
of this topology. Also, voltage stress across H-bridge switches is which consists of two series capacitors. The main advantages of
equal to the sum of all operating input DC sources. Another

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Fig. 1  Fundamental unit of proposed MLI (U, unidirectional switches; B1, bidirectional switch)

Table 1 Source combination, operating mode, and number of component used in fundamental unit of proposed MLI
Proposed MLI
V1:V2  Operation Output No. of switches  No. of diodes  No. of drivers  No. of isolated DC No. of capacitors 
mode  levels  sources 
2 V:V asymmetric 7 8 8 7 2 2
V:V symmetric 9 8 8 7 2 2
2 V:3 V asymmetric 11 8 8 7 2 2

Table 2 Switching states to generate 7, 9, and 11 levels using distinct choices of DC voltage sources in basic block of
proposed MLI
States Switching states Output voltage 7-Level (2 V:V) 9-Level (2 V:2 V) 11-Level (2 V:3 V)
U1 U1′ U2 U2′ U3 U3′ B1
positive level
 a 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 VC1 + VC2 + V2 3 V 4V 5V
 b 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 VC1 + V2 2 V 3 V 4 V
 c 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 VC1 + VC2 2 V 2 V 2 V
 d 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 V2 V 2 V 3 V
 e 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 VC1 V V V
zero level
 f 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
 g 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
negative level
 h 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 −VC2 −V −V −V
 i 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 −V2 −V −2 V −3 V
 j 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 −VC1 − VC2 −2 V −2 V −2 V
 k 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 −VC2 − V2 −2 V −3 V −4 V
 l 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 −VC1 − VC2 − V2 −3 V −4 V −5 V
Here, V1 = VC1 + VC2, VC1 = VC2

using voltage divider are to reduce the number of DC sources, and by changing the magnitude of the input DC voltage sources in the
to maintain natural balancing of voltage across the capacitors. ratio of (2 V:V, V:V, 2 V:3 V), respectively.
The proposed MLI is capable of generating 7-level, 9-level, and
11-level in the output, using the same number of switches, with the 3 Expanded structure of proposed MLI for L/M VA
combination of DC sources V1:V2 in the ratio of 2 V:V, V:V, and 2 
V:3 V. In the proposed MLI, the number of levels in the output can be
Table 1 shows that the 7-level, 9-level, and 11-level in output increased by increasing the capacitor count to ‘n’ with ‘n−1’ bi-
voltage can be produced using similar number of component count directional switches. The expanded structure of the proposed
shown in the proposed MLI fundamental block consisting of eight single-phase MLI along with switch ‘B’ configuration is shown in
switches, eight diodes, seven gate drivers, two isolated DC sources, Figs. 2a and b, respectively. The proposed structure can only be
and two capacitors. The mode of operation is presented in the next used for L/M VA, because the voltage stresses on switches U2 and
section depending on the source values. U2′ are equal to the sum of input DC source voltages. Photovoltaic
In this section, operation of the proposed MLI fundamental unit (PV) panels, fuel cells, and rectified output of wind energy can be
is described for a single-phase structure. With the proposed MLI used as DC sources as shown in Fig. 2c. To maintain constant
fundamental block, the possible combinations of input DC sources voltage across PV and fuel cells, suitable DC/DC converters are
are: ±(VC1 + VC2 + V2), ±(VC1 + VC2), ±(V2), +(VC1 + V2), +(VC1), 0, used along with it. Table 3 shows the generalised equations for
−(VC2 + V2), +(VC2) using positive level states (a, b, c, d, e), zero proposed MLI circuit device count.
level states (f, g), and negative level states (h, i, j, k, l) as shown in
Table 2. The different output levels (7, 9, and 11) can be obtained

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Fig. 2  Configuration of
(a) Expanded configuration of the proposed ‘L-level’ single-phase MLI for L/M VA, (b) Switch ‘B’ configuration, (c) Possible DC sources

Table 3 Generalised equation for circuit device count for L/M VA


Source ratio V1:V2  Output No. of switches  No. of diodes  No. of drivers  No. of isolated Variety of DC
levels  DC sources  sources 
V1 = jV V2 = V j = 2, 3, 4, …, n 2j + 3 2j + 4 2j + 4 j + 5 2 2
V1 = jV V2 = V1 j = 2, 3, 4, …, n 4j + 1 2j + 4 2j + 4 j + 5 2 1
V1 = jV V2 = (j + 1)V j = 2, 3, 4, …, n 4j + 3 2j + 4 2j + 4 j + 5 2 2

Fig. 3  Proposed expanded configuration of ‘L-level’ proposed single-phase MLI for HVA

Table 4 Generalised equation of proposed MLI power components for HVA


V1:V2  Mode  Output levels ‘L’  No. of No. of No. of No. of isolated No. of
switches  diodes  drivers  DC sources  capacitors 
2 V:V asymmetric (M−1) 6n + 1 8n 8n 7n 2n 2n
V:V symmetric (M−2) 8n + 1 8n 8n 7n 2n 2n
2 V:3 V asymmetric (M−3) 10n + 1 8n 8n 7n 2n 2n

Table 5 Parameters comparison of single-phase (1−Ф) MLIs (L number of levels)


Topologies  Proposed MLI (L/M Proposed MLI CHB  CCS-MLI [24, MLI topology MLI topology
VA)  (HVA)  25]  [26]  [28] 
no. of switches (L + 7)/2 L − 1 2(L − 1) 3(L − 1)/2 3(L − 1)/2 3(L − 1)/2
no. of diodes (L + 7)/2 L − 1 2(L − 1) 3(L − 1)/2 3(L − 1)/2 3(L + 18)/2
no. of drivers (L + 19)/4 7(L − 1)/8 2(L − 1) 3(L − 1)/2 3(L − 1)/2 3(L − 1)/2
no. of isolated DC 2 (L − 1)/4 (L − 1)/2 (L − 1)/2 (L − 1)/2 (L − 1)/2
sources
no. of capacitors (L − 1)/4 (L − 1)/4 not required not required not required not required

4 Expanded structure of proposed MLI for HVA topologies for single-phase (1−Ф) configuration is presented in this
section. For the (3−Ф) system, the number of devices will be three
For HVA, the number of levels in the output can be increased by times of a (1−Ф) system. The comparison made in terms of power
cascade connection of ‘n’ fundamental blocks of proposed MLI. circuit device count (number of switches, diodes, drivers, DC
Fig. 3 shows the cascaded structure of the proposed MLI. The sources, and capacitors), used in terms of number of levels, is
generalised equations for proposed MLI power circuit device count shown in Table 5. This is done for symmetric configuration.
for HVA are illustrated in Table 4. Comparison of different 1−Ф topologies in graphical form is
shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4a shows the comparison of the number of
5 Comparison of proposed structures switches used against the number of output levels. The graph
To demonstrate the ascendancy of proposed MLI over classical shows that the proposed MLI uses lesser number of switches with
CHB, CCS-MLI, and other MLIs, a comparative study of these
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Fig. 4  Comparison of 1−Ф proposed MLI with CHB and other MLIs with variation of
(a) ‘L’ versus number of switches,
(b) ‘L’ versus number of diodes,
(c) ‘L’ versus number of drivers,
(d) ‘L’ versus number of DC supplies

increases in output voltage levels. A reduction in switches is THD and reduced switching losses. However, the main challenge
remarkable in L/M VA-based expanded structure. associated with the SVPWM method is the calculation of vector
Fig. 4b points out the comparison of the number of diodes used. times and switching patterns, while calculation of switching angles
It is clear from the figure that the utilised number of diodes is much is a difficult task in the SHE scheme. Therefore, another low
lower in the proposed MLI than the classical CHB and other MLIs, switching frequency-based modulation scheme known as NLC is
mainly for HVA-based expanded structure. Fig. 4c shows the used in the proposed work to modulate the proposed MLI [33].
comparison graph between proposed and other MLIs in terms of The implementation of the NLC method is simpler when
required drivers. This comparison shows that the proposed MLI compared with other low switching frequency-based modulation
requires less number of drivers, especially in L/M VA-based schemes. It also has the advantage of generating lowest THD (one
proposed MLI. This feature of the proposed MLI leads to the of the requirements of grid integration) for the same number of
reduction in gate driver protection and cooling circuits also. Fig. 4d levels in the output, and lower switching losses when compared
shows comparison in terms of required isolated DC sources versus with MC-PWM or SPWM technique. In the NLC method, the
the number of levels. As observed, the number of required DC reference signal is normalised by round function, which gives the
power supplies in the L/M VA-based proposed MLI is minimum closest output signal. The schematic diagram of the NLC
when compared with other MLI topologies. modulation scheme is shown in Fig. 5a. The reference sinusoidal
From Fig. 4, it can be concluded that the proposed MLI signal is normalised by a DC supply voltage, then round it by
generates higher number of output levels by using the lower round function. The generated synthesise signal has the same
number of devices, when compared with CHB and other presented number of output levels as required in the output waveform. Thus,
MLIs. This results in reduced component count, size, maintenance, the derived synthesised signal is used to drive those switches which
and complexity of the system. have to remain ON for the corresponding voltage level.
Comparison of two modulation schemes: MC-PWM or SPWM
6 Modulation scheme and NLC in terms of THD of output voltage are presented in
Fig. 5b. As observed, THD of output voltage is less when
Several modulation techniques are available in the literature for compared with MC-PWM, for the same number of levels.
generation of desired voltage levels [29]. These include
multicarrier-pulse width modulation (MC-PWM), space vector
PWM (SVPWM) [30], selective harmonic elimination (SHE) [31],
7 Results and discussion
and NLC [32]. Among these, MC-PWM is the high switching 7.1 Simulation results
frequency-based modulation scheme in which sinusoidal reference
signal is compared with triangular carrier signals, also known as To analyse the performance of the proposed MLI, simulation
sinusoidal PWM (SPWM). The MC-PWM technique is widely model of Figs. 2a and 3 in single phase (1−Ф) and three phase
used due to its simplicity in implementation for any number of (3−Ф) is developed in MATLAB/Simulink environment for L/M
levels, and provides excellent result in many applications. SVPWM VA and HVA, respectively. The 3−Ф configuration of the proposed
and SHE are high switching frequency and fundamental switching MLI can be realised using three 1−Ф legs of Figs. 2a and 3 for
frequency-based modulation techniques, respectively, with lowest L/M VA and HVA, respectively. Simulation parameters for the
proposed MLI are given in Table 6. A number of levels are chosen,
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Fig. 5  NLC technique
(a) Schematic diagram of NLC modulation scheme for ‘L’ level,
(b) THD comparison of MC-PWM and NLC

Table 6 Simulation parameters of proposed 1−Ф and 3−Ф MLI


application low/medium voltage high voltage
phase 1−Ф 3−Ф 1−Ф 3−Ф
circuit structure Fig. 2a Fig. 3
RMS voltage VL–N = 230 V VL–L = 400 V VL–N = 6.2 kV VL–L = 11 kV
mode symmetric asymmetric
Irms 15 A 400 A
R–L load 20 Ω, 50 mH 20 Ω, 50 mH
apparent output power 10.5 kW 7.6 MW
modulation technique NLC NLC
number of levels 17 29 19 33
THD 4.84% 4.14% 4.29% 3.81%
number of switches/diodes/drivers/DC supply/capacitors 12/12/9/2/4 36/36/27/6/12 24/24/21/6/6 72/72/63/18/18
magnitude of each DC source 164 V 1946 V, 973 V

such that the THD of the output voltage waveform should be <5% voltage for L/M VA. Current lags the respective phase voltage due
as per IEEE-519 standard. The NLC switching modulation to inductive nature of load. Also, THD of output voltage is found
technique is used for modulation. to be <5%.
In the simulation study, the value of DC voltage sources is set at Fig. 6b shows the 3−Ф line voltages of 29-level MLI and THD
164 V for each source to operate the topology in symmetric mode of one of the output line voltage waveform, which is found to be
and load parameters for L/M VA structure are taken as 20 Ω, 50  <5% limit. Voltages across capacitors are shown in Fig. 6c. It is
mH. Whereas for HVA, asymmetric configuration is preferred with found that the voltages across the capacitors are naturally balanced.
DC sources of values 1946 and 973 V, respectively, for each basic Fig. 7 shows the performance of 19-level output phase voltage
block and load parameters are taken as 20 Ω, 50 mH. and 33-level output line voltage MLI topology for HVA. Line to
For HVA, asymmetric mode (M−1) circuit is used because in neutral voltage and current along with its THD are shown in
this mode, switches bear less voltage stress when compared with Fig. 7a, whereas 3–Ф line-to-line voltages and frequency spectrum
other modes. Details regarding generated levels, THD, RMS of one voltage are shown in Fig. 7b. Fig. 7c shows the naturally
voltage magnitude, number of switches, number of diodes, number balanced voltage across the voltage divider capacitors.
of drivers, number of DC supplies, and number of capacitors are
given in Table 6 for both the application-oriented structures. All the 7.2 Real-time simulation
possible switching states required to generate different levels in the
output are enlisted in Table 7. The proposed concept is validated with the help of real-time
It should be noted that in both the circuits, the switch pairs (U2, simulation using RT-LAB real-time simulator (RTS) Opal-RT
U2′) and (U3, U3′) are operated in complimentary manner and switch (OP-4500). RT-LAB comes with transient solvers and component
libraries. It has the capability of parallel computing in real time and
pair (U1, U1′) can remain ‘OFF’ simultaneously but cannot remain
gives results which are equivalent to hardware results.
‘ON’ at the same time. Fig. 6a shows the 17-level output phase
voltage, output phase current, and corresponding THD of phase
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Table 7 Switch states to generate 17-level and 19-level in an output phase voltage of proposed MLI for L/M VA and HVA,
respectively
Output levels ‘ON’ switches
Low/medium-voltage applications High-voltage applications
1st block 2nd block 3rd block
1 U3, U2, B1 B1,1, U2,1, U3,1 U1,2, U2,2, U3,2 U1,3, U2,3, U3,3
2 U3, U2, B2 U1,′ 1, U2,1, U3,1 U1,2, U2,2, U3,2 U1,3, U2,3, U3,3
3 U3, U2, B3 U1,′ 1, U2,1, U3,′ 1 U1,2, U2,2, U3,2 U1,3, U2,3, U3,3
4 U3′, U2, U1/U3, U2, U1′ U1,′ 1, U2,1, U3,′ 1 B1,2, U2,2, U3,2 U1,3, U2,3, U3,3
5 U3′, U2, B1 U1,′ 1, U2,1, U3,′ 1 U1,′ 2, U2,2, U3,2 U1,3, U2,3, U3,3
6 U3′, U2, B2 U1,′ 1, U2,1, U3,′ 1 U1,′ 2, U2,2, U3,′ 2 U1,3, U2,3, U3,3
7 U3′, U2, B3 U1,′ 1, U2,1, U3,′ 1 U1,′ 2, U2,2, U3,′ 2 B1,3, U2,3, U3,3
8 U3′, U2, U1′ U1,′ 1, U2,1, U3,′ 1 U1,′ 2, U2,2, U3,′ 2 U1,′ 3, U2,3, U3,3
9 — U1,′ 1, U2,1, U3,′ 1 U1,′ 2, U2,2, U3,′ 2 U1,′ 3, U2,3, U3,′ 3
0 U3, U2, U1 /U3′, U2′, U1′ U1,1, U2,1, U3,1 U1,2, U2,2, U3,2 U1,3, U2,3, U3,3
−1 U3′, U2′, B3 B1,1, U2,′ 1, U3,′ 1 U1,2, U2,2, U3,2 U1,3, U2,3, U3,3
−2 U3′, U2′, B2 U1,1, U2,′ 1, U3,′ 1 U1,2, U2,2, U3,2 U1,3, U2,3, U3,3
−3 U3′, U2′, B1 U1,1, U2,′ 1, U3,1 U1,2, U2,2, U3,2 U1,3, U2,3, U3,3
−4 U3, U2′, U1′/U3′, U2′, U1 U1,1, U2,′ 1, U3,1 B1,2, U2,′ 2, U3,′ 2 U1,3, U2,3, U3,3
−5 U3, U2′, B3 U1,1, U2,′ 1, U3,1 U1,2, U2,′ 2, U3,′ 2 U1,3, U2,3, U3,3
−6 U3, U2′, B2 U1,1, U2,′ 1, U3,1 U1,2, U2,′ 2, U3,′ 2 U1,3, U2,3, U3,3
−7 U3′, U2′, B3 U1,1, U2,′ 1, U3,1 U1,2, U2,′ 2, U3,2 B1,3, U2,′ 3, U3,′ 3
−8 U3, U2′, U1 U1,1, U2,′ 1, U3,1 U1,2, U2,′ 2, U3,2 U1,3, U2,′ 3, U3,′ 3
−9 — U1,1, U2,′ 1, U3,1 U1,2, U2,′ 2, U3,2 U1,3, U2,′ 3, U3,3

The structures are simulated using the same parameters as


shown in Table 6. ‘Analogue out’ ports of RTS can generate
maximum output signal up to ±16 V. Therefore, the signals of the
simulated models are proportionally reduced to get the output
signals within or ADC signal range. For example, simulated
maximum phase output voltage 325 Vp–p (or 230 Vrms) is divided
by 30 (325/30 = 10.83 V) to get the results in permissible range.
Fig. 8a shows the output voltage (VLN) and respective phase
current waveform obtained through RTS OP-4500 for L/M VA,
whereas Fig. 8b shows the 3−Ф line voltages. The phase voltage
and respective current waveforms and line voltages waveforms are
shown in Figs. 8c and d, respectively, for HVA. This clearly
indicates that the multilevel output voltages are very close to
sinusoidal with THD <5%, and are suitable for grid interface
without the use of the transformer and filter.

8 Conclusion
This paper presents a new MLI topology for L/M VA and HVA
specifically designed for grid interface, using RES as input sources.
The proposed MLI uses less number of switches, diodes, drivers,
and DC sources to reduce circuit size, complexity, cost, and
maintenance. The basic block and generalised structure of
proposed MLI for L/M VA and HVA are presented. To show the
ascendency of proposed MLI, it is compared with CHB, CCS-MLI,
and other MLIs. The low switching frequency-based NLC
modulation technique is also discussed and compared with high-
frequency-based multicarrier PWM to show its suitability.
MATLAB/Simulation and its real-time implementation show
satisfactory performance of the proposed MLI, for grid interface.

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Fig. 6  Simulation results of proposed MLI for L/M VA (shown in Fig. 2a)
(a) Output voltage VL–N, current, and corresponding THD of output voltage VL–N, (b) Output line voltages and corresponding THD of output voltage VL–L, (c) Voltages across
capacitors C1, C2 and C3, C4

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Fig. 7  Simulation results of proposed MLI for HVA (shown in Fig. 3)
(a) Output voltage VL–N, current, and corresponding THD of output voltage VL–N, (b) Output line voltages and corresponding THD of output voltage VL–L, (c) Voltages across
series-connected capacitors (C1,1, C2,1), (C1,2, C2,2), and (C1,3, C2,3)

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Fig. 8  Results of RTS OPAL-RT OP-4500
(a) Output voltage (VLN) and phase current waveform for L/M VA, (b) 3−Ф line voltages for low-voltage 400 V applications, (c) Output voltage (VLN) and phase current waveform
for HVA, (d) 3−Ф line voltages waveform for high-voltage 11 kV applications

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