Computer aided investigation of the auxiliary resonant commutated pole converter for wide range applications such as welding power supplies

Welding power supplies for the MIG/MAG-process are usually operated at power levels up to 20 kW. To achieve high efficiency over a wide load range at reasonable costs resonant switching techniques are crucial. One topology suitable for both high power applications and wide load range is the auxiliary resonant commutated pole converter. Though this topology has been analyzed before, effects occuring in converter applications at lower power have not been addressed. Usage of a computer algebra system allows the inclusion of these effects. This paper presents results of an extended analysis, verified by simulations and measurements on a prototype converter.