Measuring the real parameters of single-phase voltage source inverters for UPS systems

The design of a voltage source inverter (VSI) control system requires knowledge about its continuous or discrete model. The output filter inductance and the equivalent serial resistance, which is partly the result of power losses in the core, have values at the operating point that are significantly different from the assigned nominal values, particularly for iron-powder cores. Measurements using standard laboratory equipment are not sufficient because it is impossible to get the voltage and current of the operating point. So the best solution is to measure the Bode plots of the inverter control function at the operating point, to estimate the results of the measurements using the proper analytic function and to calculate the real values of the inverter parameters. Knowledge about the equivalent serial resistance enables the estimation of the inverter power losses. Two approaches to measurements are shown – one that does not require any additional equipment and the other that uses a specialised system to automatically measure the Bode plots. The advantages and disadvantages of both approaches are presented. These measurements enable the validation of the coil core magnetic material by taking into account the power losses. The applications of the measurements in the control design are shown.