Design and Implementation of a Highly Efficient Three-Level T-Type Converter for Low-Voltage Applications
Abstract
The demand for lightweight converters with high control performance and low acoustic noise led to an increase in switching frequencies of hard switched two-level low-voltage 3-phase converters over the last years. For high switching frequencies, converter efficiency suffers and can be kept high only by employing cost intensive switch technology such as SiC diodes or CoolMOS switches; therefore, conventional IGBT technology still prevails. In this paper, the alternative of using three-level converters for low-voltage applications is addressed. The performance and the competitiveness of the three-level T-type converter (3LT2C) is analyzed in detail and underlined with a hardware prototype. The 3LT2C basically combines the positive aspects of the two-level converter such as low conduction losses, small part count and a simple operation principle with the advantages of the three-level converter such as low switching losses and superior output voltage quality. It is, therefore, considered to be a real alternative to two-level converters for certain low-voltage applications.
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The prototype presented in [96] uses Si IGBT and full digital control, and has achieved 99% efficiency for a 10kW power level.
“The prototype presented in [96] uses Si IGBT and full digital control, which has achieved 99% ef ciency for a 10kW power level.”
From A Review of Bidirectional On-Board Chargers for Electric Vehicles (2021) · cites this paper as [96]
Three-level T-type inverter benefits from fewer components and low losses, but requires high-voltage switches.
“Three-level T-type inverter is also introduced which benefits from fewer components and low losses. However, this topology requires high-voltage switches [68].”
From A Review of Multilevel Inverter Topologies in Electric Vehicles: Current Status and Future Trends (2021) · cites this paper as [68]
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“[96] M. Schweizer and J. W. Kolar, ‘‘Design and implementation of a highly efficient three-level T-type converter for low-voltage applications,’’ IEEE Trans.”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialAutomotive Traction Inverters: Current Status and Future Trends
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- Authors
- Schweizer, M., & Kolar, J. W.
- Affiliations
- ETH Zurich (CH)
- Venue
- IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics
- Published
- 2013-02
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 899-907
- ISSN
- 0885-8993 (ISSN-L)
- 1941-0107
- OpenAlex
- W1995295879
- Cited by
- 1,006
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 37 · 2025: 67 · 2024: 68 · 2023: 89 · 2022: 78 · 2021: 99 · 2020: 104 · 2019: 111 · 2018: 91 · 2017: 77 · 2016: 76 · 2015: 47 · 2014: 50 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 22.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Multilevel Inverters and Converters
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Advanced DC-DC Converters
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Silicon Carbide Semiconductor Technologies
- Keywords
- low-voltage converters, three-phase converter, converter efficiency, switching losses, conduction losses, output voltage quality, IGBT, hard switching, high switching frequency, acoustic noise
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