Abstract: To solve the problems of high computational complexity and inevitable parasitic modes in traditional space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) of active neutral-point-clamped five-level (ANPC-5L) inverter, a simplified equivalent SVPWM strategy was proposed, which could avoid parasitic modes. In the proposed strategy, saddle-shaped modulation signal was generated by utilizing the carrier method of 2-level SVPWM and was compared with the carrier signal after simple calculation. Then, the driving signal was obtained and the desired voltage waveform was output. On the one hand, by optimizing the switch mode transition diagram, the parasitic mode caused by dead zone could be eliminated and the output harmonic characteristics of the inverter could be improved. On the other hand, by properly selecting redundant modes and injecting zero-sequence voltage into modulation signal, the decoupling control of the floating capacitor voltage and neutral point potential of the DC-link capacitor could be realized. Moreover, the proposed strategy does not increase the switching frequency of switch components, so no extra losses are generated. Due to the less common-mode voltage produced by the proposed strategy, problems such as electromagnetic interference could be avoided. The validity of the proposed strategy was proved by the simulation and experimental results.