Data-driven and physics-based reliability tests to failure of a power electronics converter

Abstract

This paper presents an overview on design and execution of reliability tests for a power converter, with an outlook on in-field health management. The topics include physics-based and data-driven accelerated tests to failure, each adapted for the constituent elements of a converter: power semiconductor modules, DC link capacitors, and control electronics. The methods describe the outline of how the different role and nature of the components require a tailored reliability investigation approach to be most cost-effective for increasing system reliability. Testing examples for electronics are given in this article, as they are often neglected in the reliability discussion of power converters.