for Induction Heating Load Characterization

Magnetic materials used in induction heating applications have nonlinear magnetic properties with respect to field strength and frequency, which can be effectively characterized using experimental techniques. To this end, we present a test bench inverter optimized for induction heating exper-imentation, capable of driving an inductive load across a 1-100 kHz frequency range with up to 2 kW power. Harmonic distortion of the inverter is minimized with a novel multilevel topology and modulation scheme, thus allowing near-sinusoidal excitations to be obtained at varying field strengths and frequencies. To demonstration the capabilities of the test bench, we characterize the power dissipation of a loaded induction heating coil across a range of frequencies and power levels. 3 Acknowledgments This thesis would not have been possible without the support of a great many people. First, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my advisor, Professor John G. Kassakian, for his unfailing patience throughout my time here. His mentorship helped me not only to write this thesis but to develop as an electrical engineer. I am also so grateful to Dave Otten and Richar