See pulse width modulation, Theory of operation, Pulse width modulation – Lincoln Electric VANTAGE 400 User Manual
Page 46
THEORY OF OPERATION
E-6
E-6
VANTAGE® 400
PULSE WIDTH MODULATION
The term PULSE WIDTH MODULATION is used to
describe how much time is devoted to conduction in the
cycle. Changing the pulse width is known as MODU-
LATION. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is the varying
of the pulse width over the allowed range of a cycle to
affect the output of the machine.
MINIMUM OUTPUT
By controlling the duration of the gate signal, the IGBT
is turned on and off for different durations during a
cycle. The top drawing shows the minimum output sig-
nal possible over a 50-microsecond time period.
The positive portion of the signal represents one IGBT
group conducting for 2 microsecond. The dwell time (off
time) is 48 microseconds. Since only 2 microseconds of
the 50-microsecond time period is devoted to conduct-
ing, the output power is minimized.
MAXIMUM OUTPUT
By holding the gate signals on for 48 microseconds and
allowing only 2 microseconds of dwell time (off time)
during the 50-microsecond cycle, the output is maxi-
mized. The darkened area under the top curve can be
compared to the area under the bottom curve. The
more darkened area under the curve, the more power
is present.
FIGURE E.6 – TYPICAL IGBT OUTPUTS
MINIMUM OUTPUT
MAXIMUM OUTPUT
50
50
sec
sec
sec
48
sec
(Dwell or Off Time)
(Dwell or Off Time)
48
sec
2