Modular multilevel converter

Abstract

The present invention provides a Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) in which M redundant sub-modules are additionally arranged in addition to the N sub-modules that are needed for operation, and the N+M sub-modules are controlled so as to participate in switching in turn. The MMC according to an embodiment of the present invention includes multiple sub-modules connected in series with each other and a controller for controlling on/off switching of the sub-modules. Here, the multiple sub-modules include N sub-modules that participate in the operation of the MMC and M redundant sub-modules for replacing a failing sub-module when at least one of the N sub-modules fails, and the controller switches on the sub-module if the carrier signal assigned thereto is higher than a preset reference signal, and switches off the sub-module if the carrier signal assigned thereto is lower than the reference signal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.