Parasitic Effects of PWM-VSI Control Leading to Torque Harmonics in AC Drives

Abstract

Precise torque control without pulsations is one of the major quality issues in pulse-width modulated voltage-source inverter (PWM-VSI) drives. Theoretically, it could be postulated that at frequencies of some kHz, the machine’s inertia absorbs switching frequency torque harmonics, and the resulting torque becomes smooth; though, in reality, parasitic effects in voltage source inverters may cause additional torque harmonics of low order. In particular, first, second and sixth torque harmonics are observed. Such torque harmonics are especially dangerous for normal drive operation, since they may be amplified by drive train resonances at corresponding rotational velocities. New parasitic effects in PWM-VSI control, leading to torque harmonic of low order, are described in the paper, and recommendations for their compensation are given.

Keywords

• torque ripple
• 6th harmonic
• induction motor
• AC machine
• PWM inverter
• space phasor modulation