Power Module Lifetime Test and State Monitoring

This chapter presents PC method capable to emulate closest field stresses in PMs using full-scale converter. This method could enable to optimize end-of-life investigation of PMs for laboratory test as well as for field applications. A rise in Vce,on and VFD can be used as a precursor parameter to understand aging in PMs in a real time. The presented online voltage monitoring technique is suitable for state of health monitoring as well as to generate alarming signal to make smart decision on power de-rating, operation and maintenance, removal of faulty part to prevent from catastrophic failures, etc.