PWM-Switching pattern-based diagnosis scheme for single and multiple open-switch damages in VSI-fed induction motor drives

• Published in: ISA transactions 2012-03, Vol.51 (2), p.333-344
• Main Authors: Trabelsi, Mohamed, Boussak, Mohamed, Gossa, Moncef
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A.c. Machines; AC motor drives; Algorithms; Applied sciences; Computer science; control theory; systems; Computer Simulation; Control theory. Systems; Convertors; Electric potential; Electric power; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical machines; Electronics; Engineering Sciences; Equipment Design; Exact sciences and technology; Fault detection; Fault diagnosis; Induction motors; Industry - instrumentation; Inverters; Line-to-line voltage sensing; Modelling and identification; Multiple open-switch diagnosis; Power electronics, power supplies; Pulse duration modulation; Pulse-width modulation switching pattern; Semiconductors; Single open-switch diagnosis; Switching; Voltage; Voltage source inverter (VSI)
• ISSN: 0019-0578; 1879-2022
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isatra.2011.10.012

This paper deals with a fault detection technique for insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) open-circuit faults in voltage source inverter (VSI)-fed induction motor drives. The novelty of this idea consists in analyzing the pulse-width modulation (PWM) switching signals and the line-to-line voltage levels during the switching times, under both healthy and faulty operating conditions. The proposed method requires line-to-line voltage measurement, which provides information about switching states and is not affected by the load. The fault diagnosis scheme is achieved using simple hardware and can be included in the existing inverter system without any difficulty. In addition, it allows not only accurate single and multiple faults diagnosis but also minimization of the fault detection time to a maximum of one switching period (Tc). Simulated and experimental results on a 3-kW squirrel-cage induction motor drive are displayed to validate the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. ► We have proposed a fast diagnosis technique for IGBTs open-circuit faults in PWM-VSI-fed induction motor drives. ► Fault diagnosis has been achieved by analyzing the line-to-line voltage during the switching times. ► A simple hardware is used to detect and identify the IGBTs single and multiple open-circuit faults. ► Fault detection time is about one switching period.