A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING INCIPIENT FAILURES IN A POWER INVERTER

摘要

Method and system for predicting malfunctions in a power inverter (14) havin g one or more legs (e.g., 25, 27 and 29) connected between first and second voltage buses (e.g., 33 and 35) is provided. Each leg has respective first and second controllable switches (e.g., 32 and 34) coupled in series to one another. The method allo ws for applying predetermined respective voltages at the first and second buses. The method further allows for selectively actuating the first and second switches between respective conductive or non-conductive states. A monitoring step allows for monitoring predetermined electrical parameters generated in the inverter in response to the applied voltages as the first and second switche s are respectively actuated. The parameters are based on a first set of operational and environmental conditions. Respective nomin al values are provided for the one or more electrical parameters based on a second set of operational and environmental conditions . An adjusting step allows for adjusting the respective values of the monitored electrical parameters to account for differences between the first and second set of conditions. A comparing step allows to compare the respective adjusted values against the respective nominal values to determine the performance of the inverter.