<p>The neutral point clamp three-level Z-source inverter shoot-through vector insertion method generally does not change the effect of the original vector on the AC side load, which limits the insertion method of the shoot-through vectors. This paper proposes a shoot-through vector insertion method based on equivalent vectors, which can reduce the limitations of shoot-through vector selection. A discontinuous modulation strategy applied in Z-source three-level inverters is proposed based on the equivalent vector method. Two steps obtain the proposed modulation strategy. The first step determines the possible discontinuous modulation sequences and the form of the shoot-through vectors according to the principle of equivalent vectors. The second step is to analyze the switching losses generated by these optional shoot-through vectors and select the shoot-through vector with better switching loss effects. The proposed modulation strategy reduces the number of switching actions in one switching cycle and switching losses. The effectiveness of the proposed modulation method is demonstrated by MATLAB/Simulink combined with PLECS simulation. Finally, a low-power platform is built for experimental verification.</p>