Soft-Switching Full-Bridge Converter with Multiple-Input Sources for DC Distribution Applications

Abstract

Due to the advantages of power supply systems using the DC distribution method, such as a conversion efficiency increase of about 5–10%, a cost reduction of about 15–20%, etc., AC power distribution systems will be replaced by DC power distribution systems in the future. This paper adopts different converters to generate DC distribution system: DC/DC converter with PV arrays, power factor correction with utility line and full-bridge converter with multiple input sources. With this approach, the proposed full-bridge converter with soft-switching features for generating a desired voltage level in order to transfer energy to the proposed DC distribution system. In addition, the proposed soft-switching full-bridge converter is used to generate the DC voltage and is applied to balance power between the PV arrays and the utility line. Due to soft-switching features, the proposed full-bridge converter can be operated with zero-voltage switching (ZVS) at the turn-on transition to increase conversion efficiency. Finally, a prototype of the proposed full-bridge converter under an input voltage of DC 48 V, an output voltage of 24 V, a maximum output current of 21 A and a maximum output power of 500 W was implemented to prove its feasibility. From experimental results, it can be found that its maximum conversion efficiency is 92% under 50% of full-load conditions. It was shown to be suitable for DC distribution applications.