High frequency transformer’s parasitic capacitance minimization for photovoltaic (PV) high-frequency link-based medium voltage (MV) inverter

Abstract

The high-frequency-based medium voltage (MV) inverter is used in renewable energy power sources for power transmission. However, power quality is compromised as a result of the increase in common mode noise currents by the high inter-winding parasitic capacitance in high-frequency link transformers. This fast voltage transient response leads to harmonic distortion and transformer overheating, which causes power supply failure or many other electrical hazards. This paper presents a comparative study between conventional and modified toroid transformer designs for isolated power supply. A half bridge high-frequency (10 kHz) MV DC–AC inverter was designed along with power source; a 680 W solar module renewable system was built. An FEM-simulation with Matlab-FFT analysis was used to determine the core flux distribution and to calculate the total harmonics distortion (THD). A GWInstek LCR meter and Fluke VT04A measured the inter-winding capacitance and temperature in all four transformer prototypes, respectively. The modified design of a toroid ferrite core transformer offers more resistance to temperature increase without the use of any cooling agent or external circuitry, while reducing the parasitic capacitance by 87%. Experiments were conducted along with a mathematical derivation of the inter-winding capacitance to confirm the validity of the approach.