This webinar is being sponsored by the IEEE PELS Technical Committee on Electrical Machines, Drives and Automation

Thursday, 6 May 2021 10:00 AM  ET

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Presenters: Xibo Yuan, University of Bristol, United Kingdom

Abstract: The fast-switching speed, higher voltage and higher temperature capabilities of SiC power devices have brought in clear opportunities in achieving high-density, higher-efficiency, higher-frequency and highly-integrated motor drives. This webinar will first provide an overview of the performance of state-of-the-art SiC devices and converters and their applications in motor drive area. Then, the issues due to high frequency switching and their impact on electric machines will be explained. For example, high dv/dt and high switching frequency can cause increased level of motor over-voltage, insulation and bearing degradation and electro-magnetic interference. Under the high dv/dt of SiC drives, motor terminals will see clear over-voltage with much shorter cables than that under Si IGBT motor drives and the voltage stress will mostly drop on the first several turns of the motor windings. How the switching speed and switching frequency will affect the winding insulation (e.g. partial discharge) and motor bearing current will be explained. Experimental test results with SiC motor drives will be given and the theory behind the experimental observations will be provided.  Several potential solutions in addressing the above negative side-effects of high-frequency SiC drives will be discussed, including filters, waveform shaping through soft-switching and gate drive, alternative converter topologies, quasi-multilevel modulation, etc.  A couple of SiC motor drive examples and research projects in this area will also be presented to further demonstrate the opportunities, challenges and potential solutions mentioned above.