L-Z Source Based 11 Level Diode-Clamped Multi Level Inverter

Multilevel inverters (MLI) have the capability of producing less distorted ac voltages across its output terminals. The output available across any MLI is a stepped sine wave. Among the available configurations diode clamped topology has the ability of providing reverse recovery ability for the switches. So in this project a new converter topology based on Z-Source configuration combined with a diode clamped multilevel is proposed. Usually classical Z-Source inverters contain a diode, capacitors and inductors for boosting the voltage. The Z-Source inverters suffer with inrush currents and resonance. The disadvantages of these capacitors are eliminated with the help of a new circuit comprising of inductors and diodes. The Z-Source of the network contains only inductors. The Z-Source acts like a current source and is cascaded with a diode clamped multilevel inverter. The main advantage of this configuration is that size of the filter is minimized and has the ability of producing least distortion in output current when the system is operated with lagging power factor loads. The proposed circuit is modeled and simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK.