Analysis and Simulation of ZVS Methods in Full Bridge Converters and Realization of a 3 KW Prototype

One of the difficulties with PWM switching converters is high switching loss and electromagnetic interference due to switching at non-zero voltage and current, which limits the operating frequency. In order to reduce the converter volume and weight (by increasing the frequency) and reducing switching losses, zero voltage and current switching methods are recommended. In this paper, four main zero voltage switching (ZVS) methods in full bridge converters are introduced and compared. These four methods are compared on dead times required to obtain the ZVS, load range at ZVS condition, circulating energy in the switch anti parallel diodes during freewheeling periods and voltage oscillations on rectifying diodes. Finally, the results of a 3 KW prototype full bridge ZVS converter with a clamp circuit for rectifier diodes oscillations are presented and analyzed