Modified Ćuk Converter for Power Factor Correction in BLDC Motor Driven Ceiling-Fan

Abstract

High-cost, slightly high input-power, and poor power-quality at a supply-side are the main concerns in a traditional brushless direct current motor ceiling-fan (BLDCM-CF), which limits its utility. This article addresses retrofit solutions of problems in an existing BLDCM-CF to increase utility and user attraction to use it. In this, discontinuous-conduction mode (DCM)-operated, coupled-inductor-based (CIB) switched-inductor Ćuk-converter (SICC) with an inherent active power factor correction is used at front-end to simplify control and to enhance supply-side-power-quality (SSPQ). Unlike an existing Ćuk-converter, presented SICC offers a high step-down gain with an effective operation over a wide variation in output-voltage (15–48 V), which partially fulfills requirement of a high-frequency transformer (HFT). It reduces HFT-losses and converter-cost. CF-motor is rewound for a 48 V with reduced-gauge aluminum-winding, which offers low i²R losses, cost, and weight. Moreover, inverter losses are minimized with fundamental switching. These modifications in an existing BLDCM-CF considerably reduce input-power, overall-cost, and weight. SSPQs are improved (crest-factor: 1.49, current THD: 1.38%, and PF: 0.999) with low power-input (27.73 W). Finally, the performance and effectiveness of given BLDCM-CF are validated using a lab-prototype.