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Buck Regulator

A project log for TS50 True Sine Inverter

50 Watt proof of concept inverter converts 12VDC to 110VAC @ 60Hz.

brian-cornellBrian Cornell 06/12/2018 at 00:490 Comments

The buck regulator is an adaptation of my synchronous buck project posted here: 125vbuck.  That design provided 25 watts at 5 VDC.  It's capable of handling more power (I've tested to 100W), transient response is good, and it can function as an LDO (Low Dropout Regulator) - necessary to support the boost stage of the inverter.

Modifications:

The low losses in the power & output section, along with the control program, allow it to function as an LDO.  It's actually configured for a 13V regulated output and can hold this with an input of about 13.5V, depending on load.  Below this the output will track the input with a maximum 1V drop.j

The MCU will enter under-volt lockout (UVLO) around 11V by shutting down the regulator.  This turns the bridge & sine sections, and hence the AC output off.  The MCU will hold the unit in UVLO until 12V which allows for battery recharge in the PV system.

The regulator can maintain its regulated output with input voltages up to 20V.  Above this the MCU shuts down the regulator and enters over-volt lockout (OVLO).  This is necessary to protect the gate driver & 5V logic regulator.  Beyond the MCU shutdown there's no circuitry to disconnect the input so higher voltages will damage it.

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