Open AccessPower converter junction temperature measurement using infra‐red sensors
Author(s) -
Smith Christopher J.,
Zappalá Donatella,
Crabtree Christopher J.,
Lapiedra Justo,
Mulholland Brian
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the journal of engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2051-3305
DOI - 10.1049/joe.2018.8098
Subject(s) - emulation , turbine , junction temperature , power (physics) , insulated gate bipolar transistor , power optimizer , wind power , automotive engineering , electrical engineering , reactance , wind speed , computer science , generator (circuit theory) , voltage , engineering , maximum power point tracking , physics , mechanical engineering , meteorology , inverter , quantum mechanics , economics , economic growth
Studies demonstrate that the power converter has one of the highest failure rates in a wind turbine, with a key failure driver being the power module junction temperature ( T j ). This paper details an experimental setup for simplified emulation of wind turbine conditions on a power converter with infra‐red sensing of IGBT T j . Results are compared to previous simulation work for a PMSG wind turbine, with the same trend of increasing mean T j with wind speed found, and the need to use an equivalent generator reactance in highlighted. A commercial‐scale prototype for more accurate wind turbine converter emulation is also detailed.