Measuring structure functions of power devices in inverters

Aliyu, Attahir Murtala; Castellazzi, Alberto

Abstract

This paper proposes the measuring of structure function from power devices on-board induction motor drives and multilevel converters. It puts forward the issues and methodology related to on-board measurement of the cooling curve and derivation of the structure function during idle times in induction motor drives for maintenance purposes. The structure function uses the thermal resistances and capacitances in the Cauer form to identify changes in the device structure. The advantage of the structure function is that it does not only reveal the value but also the location of the thermal resistance and capacitance in the heat flow path. The novelty in this work is the methodology used to achieve the measurement of the cooling curve and obtaining the structure function despite issues related to freewheeling current due to energy stored as a result of motor inductance. A detailed description of the measurement circuit is presented. The possibility of applying this technique to multilevel converters in different application is also elaborated.

Citation

Aliyu, A. M., & Castellazzi, A. (in press). Measuring structure functions of power devices in inverters. Microelectronics Reliability, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microrel.2017.03.036

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 28, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Apr 12, 2017
• Deposit Date: May 25, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: May 25, 2017
• Journal: Microelectronics Reliability
• Print ISSN: 0026-2714
• Electronic ISSN: 0026-2714
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microrel.2017.03.036
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/855354
• Publisher URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0026271417300872