A neutral-point potential balancing algorithm for five-level ANPC converters

Five-level active neutral-point-clamped (ANPC) converter is a newly emerging topology which can overcome the drawbacks of traditional neutral-point clamped (NPC) converters and flying-capacitor (FC) converters. Its dc-link is subdivided into two equal parts and the main problem is the neutral-point (NP) potential balancing. In this paper, a NP potential balancing algorithm based on zero-sequence voltage injection is presented. By calculating the NP currents of all key zero-sequence voltages, the most appropriate zero-sequence voltage is selected to generate the demanded NP current. Moreover, by further limiting the span of injected zero-sequence voltages, the NP balancing algorithm can make the two IGBTs connected in series operate at fundamental frequency. A three-phase five-level ANPC inverter prototype was built up and experimental results are presented to verify the validity of this algorithm.