A Modified Series Z-Source Inverter Based on Switched Inductors with a High Voltage Gain and a Reduced Voltage Stress on Capacitors

In this paper, a series Z-source inverter based on a switched inductor cell is proposed for the first time. This inverter is able not only to increase the voltage gain, in comparison with the conventional Z–source inverters, but also to solve the ST (shoot-through) state’s problems. In this inverter, the value of the voltage gain is increased by an increase in the number of used diodes and inductors in the switched inductor cells. The low value of the capacitors’ voltage stress is another advantage of the proposed inverter. The voltage of the capacitors is increased from zero to the desired value by increasing the duty cycle of ST state from zero to the desired value. This leads to a soft start in the proposed inverter, which is impossible in conventional Z-source inverters. In this paper, in addition to investigating the operation of the proposed inverter in different operating modes, the value of voltage stress of the capacitors, current inductors, and the value of voltage gain are also calculated. Moreover, the proposed inverter is compared with the conventional Z-source inverters to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of it. Finally, the accuracy performance of the proposed inverter is verified through the simulation results in PSCAD/EMTDC software programs.