Whenever PWM is employed in an inverter for enabling a sine wave output, inverter voltage drop becomes a major issue, especially if the parameters are not calculated correctly.
In this website you might have come across many sine wave and pure sine wave inverter concepts using PWM feeds or SPWM integrations. Although the concept works very nicely and allows the user to get the required sine wave equivalent outputs, they seem to struggle with output voltage drop issues, under load.
In this article we will learn how to correct this through simple understanding and calculations.
First we must realize that output power from an inverter is merely the product of input voltage and current that's being supplied to the transformer.
Therefore here we must make sure that the transformer is correctly rated to process the input supply such that it produces the desired output and is able to sustain the load without any drop.
From the following discussion we'll try to analyze through simple calculations the method to get rid of this issue, by configuring the parameters correctly.
Analyzing Output Voltage in Square Wave Inverters
In a square wave inverter circuit we will typically find the waveform as shown below across the power devices, which deliver the current and voltage to the relevant transformer winding as per the mosfet conduction rate using this square wave:
Here we can see that the peak voltage is 12V, and the duty cycle is 50% (equal ON/OFF time of the waveform).
To proceed with the analysis We first need to find the average voltage induced across the relevant transformer winding.
Supposing we are using a center tap 12-0-12V /5 amp trafo, and assuming 12V @ 50% duty cycle is applied to one of the 12V winding, then the power induced within that winding can be calculated as given below:
12 x 50% = 6V
This becomes the average voltage across the gates of the power devices, which correspondingly operate the trafo winding at this same rate.
For the two halves of the trafo winding we get, 6V + 6V = 12V (combining both the halves of the center tap trafo.
Multiplying this 12V with the full current capacity 5 amp gives us 60 watt
Now since the transformer actual wattage is also 12 x 5 = 60 watts, implies that the power induced at the primary of the trafo is full, and therefore the output will be also full, allowing the output to run without any drop in voltage under load.
This 60 watt is equal to the actual wattage rating of the transfomer, i.e. 12V x 5 amp = 60 watts. therefore the output from the trafo works with maximum force and does not drop the output voltage, even when a maximum load of 60 watt is connected.
Analyzing a PWM based Inverter Output Voltage
Now suppose we apply a PWM chopping across the gates of the power mosfets, say at a rate of 50% duty cycle on the gates of the mosfets ( which are already running with a 50% duty cycle from the main oscillator, as discussed above)
This again implies that the previously calculated 6V average is now impacted additionally by this PWM feed with 50% duty cycle, reducing the average voltage value across the mosfet gates to:
6V x 50% = 3V (although the peak is still 12V)
Combing this 3V average for both the halves of the winding we get
3 + 3 = 6V
Multiplying this 6V with 5 amp gives us 30 watts.
Well, this is 50% less than what the transformer is rated to handle.
Therefore when measured at the output, although the output might show a full 310V (due to the 12V peaks), but under load this might quickly drop to 150V, since the average supply at the primary is 50% less than the rated value.
To rectify this issue we have to tackle two parameters simultaneously:
1) We must make sure that the transformer winding matches the average voltage value delivered by the source using the PWM chopping,
2) and the current of the winding must be accordingly specified such that the output AC does not drop under load.
Let's consider our above example where the introduction of a 50% PWM caused the input to the winding to be reduced to 3V, to reinforce and tackle this situation we must ensure that the winding of the trafo must be correspondingly rated at 3V. Therefore in this situation the transformer must be rated at 3-0-3V
Current Specs for the Transformer
Considering th above 3-0-3V trafo selection, ans considering that the output from the trafo is intended to work with 60 watts load and a sustained 220V, we may need the primary of the trafo to be rated at 60 / 3 = 20 amps, yes that's 20 amps which the trafo will need to be to ensure that the 220V is sustained when a full load of 60 watt is attached to the output.
Remember in such situation if the output voltage is measured without a load, one might see a abnormal increase in the output voltage value which might appear to be exceeding 600V. This might happen because although the average value induced across the mosfets is 3V, the peak is always 12V.
But there's nothing to be worried about if you happen to see this high voltage without a load, because it would quickly settle down to 220V as soon as a load gets hooked up.
Having said this if users find it rattling to see such increased level of voltages without load, this can be corrected by additionally applying an output voltage regulator circuit which I have already discussed in one of my earlier posts, you may effectively apply the same with this concept also.
Alternatively, the raised voltage display can be neutralized by connecting a 0.45uF/600V capacitor across the output or any similarly rated capacitor, which would also help to filter out the PWMs into a smoothly varying sine waveform.
The High Current Issue
In the above discussed example we saw that the with a 50% PWM chopping, we are forced to employ a 3-0-3V trafo for a 12V supply, forcing the user to go for a 20 amp transformer just to get 60 watts, which looks quite unreasonable.
If 3V calls for 20 amps to get 60 watts, implies that 6V would require 10 amps to generate 60 watts, and this value looks quite manageable....... or to make it even better a 9V would allow yo to work with a 6.66 amp trafo, which looks even more reasonable.
The above statement tells us that if the average voltage induction on the trafo winding is increased, the current requirement is decreased, and since the average voltage is dependent on the PWM ON time, simply implies that to achieve higher average voltages on the trafo primary, you just have too increase the PWM ON time, that's another alternative and effective way to correctly reinforce the output voltage drop issue in PWM based inverters.
If you have any specified queries or doubts regarding the topic, you can always make use of the comment box below and jot in your opinions.
rashantha vagiranath says
I made 500w modifisinwave inverter. I want to run my 150w refrigerator.but I can”t it.because volatage drop 160v . I use 200ah two batteries connect parrell.please help me solve this problem. forgive me my poor english.
Swag says
A correctly built 500 watt inverer will never drop its voltage when loaded with 150 watt. Your battery rating is OK no doubt, may be your transformer is not OK. It could be rated at much lower wattage than 500 watts,you must get it checked from a professional trafo designer.
For the battery even a single 200Ah should be more than enough to handle the 150 watt, even with the initial surge.
You may also want to confirm if your refrigerator is actually consuming 150 watt or much more than that??
moha says
Hello,
I thankful to you to encourage the people to do things better and better,
I need your help, Pls suggest its my request,
Question 01. If i want the output is 5000w pure sine wave inverter require but i have only 500w Transformer 10 nos in my hand, can i use the transformers parallel or series in single circuit to get output 5000w ?
Question 02: can i use single oscillator and driver circuit to drive multiple output mosfet drive possible, pls explain. Note : One oscillator and driver to drive output point mosfet and 10 nos separated 500w transformers .
thanks and regards
Moha
Swag says
Hello Moha, yes you can connect the primary wires in parallel but not the output secondary wires…you may terminate the outputs to different sockets and to separate loads.
yes you can use a single oscillator circuit for driving different mosfets configured with different transformers….but make sure to connect all their negative lines in common.
tinuke says
In my thinking, for 12v input to avoid voltage drop, why can’t we increase the voltage and make the trafo 24v-0-24v so that pwm will be 6v.
Miebaka says
nice article, I really appreciate it, I will like you to do a tutorial on ups/inverter transformer. Am really impressed with it’s charging and regulating future, and will really like you to feature it.
Thanks again for all you support.
Swag says
Thanks Miebaka, according to me there’s no difference between an inverter transformer and an UPS transformer, a transformer is designed for transforming a given voltage from one level to another through mutual induction, which is the same in inverers and UPSs
Miebaka says
Ok, but if you run mains voltage into another turns in the secondary side of the transformer (with correct amount of turns) wouldn’t it no affect the primary side of the transformer which is linked the mosfets and stuff?
Considering SG3225 inverter circuit and automatic change over…
Swag says
yes it will affect, the mosfet side will need to be simultaneously cut off while this is changeover is implemented.
Miebaka says
Thanks a lot, really appreciate all the work you have put to your listeners.
Swag says
Thanks Miebaka
Farhan says
Hello Sir i am Farhan
I have a 100 watt inverter
I also have a AC led tube light of 18 watt
I want to connect them like qhen i press the Light switch on
Then it will run on main Ac current
And when the ac line gone
Light will be connected with the inverter line
Thanx
Swag says
Hi Farhan,
you can do it by wiring a relay appropriately…. simply connect the coil of a DPDT relay or two SPDT relays with a DC supply obtained from mains input, then connect the N/C contacts of the relay with the inverter AC, N/O contacts with the mains AC, and the poles with the LED
NvD says
Pattern of flashing can be according to your wish sir…only thing is that it should look attractive…
Swagatam says
OK, let me try!
Anas Ahmad says
Thanks but please check your mail..I attached a picture..
Swagatam says
your sent design is a PIC based so I could not interpret its functioning details, and therefore could not solve your query.
Anas Ahmad says
Building a non center tap transformer for pure sine wave.. And battery is 24v.. Therefore the required primary volt is 14v..and secondary 240v.. What if the primary volt is less than 14 or more than 14? Will there be error or something? Using TPV formula
Swagatam says
for 24V supply, the trafo primary must be also around 24V…unless PWM is being is used…it cannot be 14V
slightly higher supply will not affect the trafo performance but if it's significantly high then the trafo will begin heating up, and the 220v output will also proportionately get high…for the low voltages the transformer will not heat up, but the output will drop proportionately
NvD says
Sir,do you have simple circuit of led cube without arduino or ic programming
Swagatam says
NVD, if it's a solid cube that you want, then that can be simply done by connecting the LEDs in series/parallel. MCU won't be required
NvD says
sir,i want the leds to be flashing and running
Swagatam says
OK,I'll try to design it, but the sequencing will be as per the convenience of the design, with minimum complexity…
NvD says
ok sir..waiting
Swagatam says
I tried but it looks difficult, and might require much thinking, by the way you can specify the pattern of the flashing/chasing that you want across the grids, if it seems feasible I may try again.
OLUPOT DANIEL says
thanks for the gud work you do to help us
Swagatam says
you are welcome!
Ferdimar International says
okay Thanks.
thumbs up!
Ferdimar International says
Thanks for sharing
so it is recommended to choose a lower voltage high amp transformer the the input volts . eg. if you input is a 12v battery will be good to choose 7-10v for the inverter.
Swagatam says
Thanks, yes that's correct according to my assumptions.
Swagatam says
…it must be implemented as per the calculation presented in the article