A Novel Approach for Model-based Diagnosis of a Three-Level Three-Phase NPC Inverter

IGBTs, in a Neutral Point Clamped inverter, can be affected by open-circuit or short-circuit faults. Two model-based diagnosis methods are proposed. The Fast Fourier Transform is used in the first one to compute the spectrum of the calculated voltage residuals. By monitoring the magnitude of the fundamental harmonic, failures can be detected and the faulty outer or inner couple of IGBTs can be located. Then, the measured currents are analyzed to isolate the impaired transistor. In the second method, the residuals of the currents are inspected to detect and isolate the fault. The combination of the mean, maximum and minimum values of these residuals yields a unique signature for each impaired IGBT. The two proposed methods are compared. The results are discussed and the best one is recommended for implementation.

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