Comparison of Model Predictive Torque Control Based NPC and ANPC Inverters for IM Drive

An induction motor (IM), which is one of the ac electric motors, is commonly preferred in industrial applications. The IM has a simple structure, low maintenance, and is inexpensive. Inverter topologies are widely used in IM drives. Studies on the IM drive with multilevel inverter topologies, which have benefits such as higher efficiency, lower harmonic ratio, and reduced filter size are increasing day by day compared to two-level inverter topologies. In this study, various analyzes of a neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter and an active neutral point clamped (ANPC) inverter topologies for model predictive torque control (MPTC) based IM drive have been carried out under the same conditions. Firstly, the proposed IM drives have been modeled with MATLAB/Simulink, and then, their implementations have been carried out. The modeling and implementation analyses validate the effectiveness of the proposed MPTC-based IM drives in terms of flux and torque responses, as well as speed control. They have been deeply analyzed under variable load and speed conditions, and compared in terms of efficiency and total harmonic distortion (THD).

Automated summary

Induction motors are widely used in industrial applications due to their simple structure, low maintenance, and affordability. Inverter topologies, especially multilevel inverters, are gaining popularity in induction motor drives for their higher efficiency, lower harmonic ratio, and reduced filter size. This study compares the performance of neutral point clamped (NPC) and active neutral point clamped (ANPC) inverter topologies in a model predictive torque control (MPTC) based induction motor drive. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed MPTC-based drives in terms of flux and torque responses, as well as speed control, under various load and speed conditions, and they are compared based on efficiency and total harmonic distortion (THD).