An active filter for reducing the common mode current in a pulse width
modulated drive circuit driving a load, said drive circuit comprising an
a-c source, a rectifier connected to said a-c source and producing a
rectified output voltage connected to a positive d-c bus and a negative
d-c bus, a PWM inverter having input terminals coupled to said positive
d-c bus and negative d-c bus and having a controlled a-c output, a load
driven by said a-c output of said PWM inverter, a ground wire extending
from said load, and a current sensor for measuring the common mode
current in said drive circuit in said ground wire, said current sensor
producing an output current related to said common mode current, said
active filter comprising a first and second MOSFET transistor, each
having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, and an
amplifier driving a respective one of the transistors; said first
electrode of said first and second transistor coupled to a common node,
said second electrodes of said first and second transistors being coupled
to said positive d-c bus and said negative d-c respectively; each of said
amplifiers having an input coupled to said output of said current sensor
and each having an output connected to a respective one of said control
electrodes; and a d-c isolating capacitor connecting said common node of
said first electrode of said first and second transistors to said ground
wire.