Modular three-phase ac-dc LED driver based on summing the light output of each phase

Abstract

This work proposes the driving of high power Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) luminaires in three phase power grids using each phase to drive an independent LED load. The driving is done by means of a boost converter in charge of controlling the current across its LED load. Moreover, each boost converter needs to achieve Power Factor Correction (PFC) to comply with IEC 61000-3-2 Class C requirements. Hence, achieving unity Power Factor (PF) and low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). Taking advantage of the light properties, the output of the LED driver will be the sum of the light of each of the phases. Therefore, a theoretical study will be carried out to observe the feasibility of removing the electrolytic capacitor while guaranteeing a flicker free behaviour of the LED luminaire, even if the current of each string is pulsating at twice the mains frequency. In order to validate the study, a prototype has been built comprised of three PFC boost converters disposing of their electrolytic capacitors. The designed prototype operates in the full range of the European three-phase line voltage, which varies between 380 V and 420 V, and it supplies an output light of 42.000 lm at a maximum power of 300 W while achieving an electrical efficiency of 97.5%.