High power high frequency soft switching converter using serial connected switches

International audienceThis paper presents a chopper topology suitable for high voltage, with a switch made of serial connected power devices. Serial connection of power components encounters two major problems in hard switching : voltage unbalance and overcurrents at turn on due to parasitic capacitances to ground. The proposed topology takes advantage of soft switching to reduce both problems by a suitable utilisation of inductors and capacitors. A converter tested at 9kV input voltage is also presented