In this paper, a stator inductance identification process is proposed. The process is based on a three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverter-fed induction motor (IM) drive with a standstill condition. Previously, a low-speed alternating current (AC) injection test for stator inductance identification was proposed to overcome practical problems in conventional identification methods for three-level NPC inverter-based IM drives. However, the low-speed AC injection test-based identification method has some problems if a heavy load or mechanical brake is connected, as these can forcibly bring the rotor to a standstill during parameter identification. Since this low-speed testing-based identification assumes the motor torque is considerably lower in low-speed operations, some inaccuracy is inevitable in this kind of standstill condition. In this paper, the proposed current injection speed generator is based on the previously studied low-speed test-based stator inductance identification method, but the proposed approach gives more accurate estimates under the aforementioned standstill conditions. The proposed method regulates the speed for sinusoidal low-frequency AC injection on the basis of the instantaneous reactive and air-gap active power ratio. This proposed stator inductance identification method is more accurate than conventional fixed low-frequency AC signal injection identification method for three-level NPC inverter-fed IM drive systems with a locked-rotor standstill condition. The proposed method’s accuracy and reliability were verified by simulation and experiment using an 18.5 kW induction motor.
Accuracy Improvement of Stator Inductance Identification Method Based on Low-Frequency Current Injection for Three-Level NPC Inverter-Fed IM Drives in Locked-Rotor Standstill Condition
