Frequency Analysis of Partial Short-Circuit Fault in BLDC Motors with Combined Star-Delta Winding

This paper analyses the condition of a partial short-circuit in a brushless permanent magnet motor. Additionally, the problem was analysed for three stator winding configurations: star, delta and star-delta connection. The paper presents an original mathematical model allowing a winding configurations to be analysed. What is more, the said mathematical model allows taking account of the partial short-circuit condition. Frequency analysis (Fast Fourier Transform—FFT) of the artificial neutral point voltage was proposed for the purpose of detecting the partial short-circuit condition. It was demonstrated that a partial short-circuit causes a marked increase in the diagnostic frequencies of the voltage signal. The proposed brushless permanent magnet motor diagnostic method is able to detect the fault regardless of the stator winding configuration type.

Short Circuit Ruggedness of 600 V SiC Trench JFETs

Silicon Carbide JFETs with low on-state resistance are suitable for a number of high power applications. The static, dynamic and short circuit characterization of 600 V SiC Trench JFETs are reported in this paper. Typical JFETs fabricated with a 1.2 μm cell pitch had an on-resistance value around 40 mΩ and blocking voltages of ~600 V across the wafer. JFETs were successfully switched with a dc link voltage of 300 V, a current of 15 A and operating temperature of 125 °C. These JFETs were subjected to a short circuit condition with duration ranging from 10 μs to 45 μs at a dc link voltage of ~300 V, and operating temperatures of 25 °C and 125 °C. The device could withstand subsequent short circuit successfully without any failure at both 25 °C and 125 °C. The short circuit current showed consistent dependency on the applied gate voltage, when it was varied from 0 V to 15 V.

Analysis of Fault-Tolerant Operation Capabilities of an Isolated Bidirectional Current-Source DC–DC Converter

Reliable and predictable operation of power electronics is of increasing importance due to continuously growing penetration of such systems in industrial applications. This article focuses on the fault-tolerant operation of the bidirectional secondary-modulated current-source DC–DC converter. The study analyzes possible topology reconfigurations in case an open- or short-circuit condition occurs in one of the semiconductor devices. In addition, multi-mode operation based on topology-morphing is evaluated to extend the operating range of the case study topology. The influence of post-failure modes on the functionality and performance is analyzed with a 300 W converter prototype. It is demonstrated that failure of one transistor in the current-source side can be mitigated without dramatic loss in the efficiency at maximum power, while preserving bidirectional operation capability.