A Symmetrical Boost Converter with Reduced Common-Mode Leakage Currents for EV Applications

Abstract

An important design choice for power converters, including electric vehicles chargers, is whether or not to include a galvanic isolation transformer. While transformerless systems can be considerably lighter and cheaper, they are typically discarded as a design choice due to the potential presence of common-mode leakage currents. In this paper, a 3-switch symmetrical boost converter is proposed, analyzed, simulated, and experimentally verified. The topology is shown to be suitable for non-isolated electric vehicle charging. The converter exhibits negligible common-mode leakage current, allowing it to meet safety standards without the need for an isolation transformer.