In this paper, we propose a current-regulated V/f controlled induction motor drive using a Silicon Carbide MOSFET-based H7-Current Source Inverter (CSI). Voltage Source Inverters (VSIs) currently dominate industrial motor drive applications, but recent developments in wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductors have created distinct advantages for the CSI topology, and that's the gap we explore.
What we built: In our proposed CSI-based V/f drive, we use PI controllers to regulate the phase currents, so that the desired V/f profile is maintained at the motor terminals. A key part of our design is a common-source dual-gate SiC MOSFET-based H7-CSI configuration, which we show reduces conduction losses compared to conventional CSIs.
Why it matters: Our drive uses the same number of sensors as a conventional design, but we found it delivers better current control compared to a VSI-fed V/f drive, especially during starting and transient conditions, which are traditionally tricky for motor drives to handle well.