Losses evaluation of two-level and three-level PFC topologies based on semiconductor measurements

Finding and comparing power losses in power electronics topologies is most commonly done by using IGBT switching losses from datasheets. The method in this paper, however, is an approach using a measurement setup, of which the data are used in MATLAB Simulink in combination with Plexim PLECS. Using this method, losses are analyzed in T-type, flying-capacitor and diode-clamped multi-level PFC topologies, and compared with the losses in a two-level PFC circuit. Analysis of the topologies is done for both rectifier and inverter mode, using IGBTs with Si and SiC diodes. The results show the lowest losses in rectifier mode are achieved with the T-type three-level topology for ail simulated switching frequencies. In inverter mode, however, the diode-clamped and flying-capacitor topologies perform equal, with lower losses than the T-type PFC, while, for switching frequencies below ≈30kHz, the two-level topology has the lowest losses.