Implementation Challenges: Universal R-Dump Converter for Switched Reluctance Motor

This study presents the challenges faced while implementing a new converter topology for switched reluctance motor (SRM) drives. A novel converter configuration that can excite the motor directly from the grid supply, i.e., alternating current supply, was proposed in earlier research. The proposed converter topology is designed to draw power directly from an AC grid. This converter is a modified version of the R-dump converter. There are many converter topologies available for excitation of SRM. The uniqueness of the converter topology developed in this research shows that it can use 4 switches per phase, which in turn increases the redundancy of the whole system. Moreover, this topology is well suitable for SRM excitation since the machine coil structure is constructed with 4 coils and 5 terminals. Since this novel converter is having the advantages of operating in AC input voltage, it improves the usefulness of SRM in household applications such as washing machines, hair dryers, and vacuum cleaners. An analysis of real-time implementation challenges faced while realizing the universal R-dump (URD) converter is presented with discussion to overcome the challenges. An experimental setup is made to verify the converter working.