Open-Circuit Fault Detection and Location in AC-DC-AC Converters Based on Entropy Analysis

Abstract

Inverters and converters contain more and more power electronics switches which may subsequently affect their reliability. Therefore, fault detection and location are essential to improve their reliability and to ensure continuous operation. In this paper, an AC−DC−AC converter with three-phase inverter is investigated under permanent, single and multiple open-circuit fault scenarios. Many entropies and multiscale entropies are then proposed to evaluate the complexity of the output currents by quantifying their entropies over a range of temporal scales. Among the multitude of entropies, only some entropies are able to differentiate healthy from open-circuit faulty conditions. Moreover, the simulation results show that these entropies are able to detect and locate the arms of the bridge with open-circuit faults.