Evaluation and comparison of induction motor drives fed with pulse width modulation and vector control to investigate total harmonic distortion in the current and voltage waveform

The importance of harmonics in power systems has been increased significantly by increasing nonlinear load, and other devices of high frequency generation. In the meantime, induction motors are one of the main equipment in distribution networks that its harmonic analysis has a great importance. In this regard, in this study, we analyze, evaluate and model the effects of the harmonic deviation of total current and voltage on the optimum controllers of induction motors with adjustable AC drives using the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and the vector control method. And according to the type of control (pulse width modulation or vector), the harmonics currents and voltages are compared. In this study, Park transform is used to control the rotor flow and a two -axis system is formed by transforming the three-phase to two-phase system, this action is possible by using it and modifying the torque and flux vector. FFT analysis was used in MATLAB software environment to determine total harmonic distortion (THD) related to current and voltage. Different strategies of pulse width modulation (PWM) and vector control have been experimentally implemented on three-phase 460 V, 50 hp, 60 Hz induction motors. The simulation results show the efficiency of the vector control method in reducing the total harmonic distortion in the drives.

Keywords:

Voltage and Current Harmonic , Induction Motor , Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) , Vector Control , Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)