SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRE-CHARGING A DC LINK OF A POWER CONVERTER

A system and method for pre-charging a DC link of a multi-level power converter, to reduce electrical transients or to decrease a charging current when a converter contactor/disconnect switch is closed, is described. The systems and methods of the present disclosure also provides a new and simplified system for pre-charging a DC link of a multi-level power converter by leveraging a neutral point of a multi-level power converter and a single-line connection to the grid side of the power converter. The DC link charger of the present disclosure, therefore, is capable of reducing the quantity of dedicated superfluous hardware and/or excess resistors, contactors, transformers, fuses, diodes, balancing components, rectifier modules, etc. demanded by conventional systems. Reduced quantities of electronic components and hardware can thereby decrease system costs per unit and lead to significant cost savings.