Real-Time Fault Detection to Ensure the Safe Operation of the Single-Phase Five-Level VIENNA Rectifier

Abstract

This work aims to explore and evaluate the nonreversible AC/DC five-level structure from the point of view of its operational safety: high electrical security on internal destruction and continuity in operation. It only has low-voltage monotransistor cells (Si and SiC 600 V max) and is intrinsically tolerant to imperfection control and parasites, therefore naturally secure. The design and lab-test of fault monitoring and fault diagnosis with just one voltage sensor of a single-phase five-level VIENNA rectifier were proposed. This real-time diagnostic method allows for a safe stop or corrective control strategy based on the reconfiguration of the modulation. The reconstruction strategy allows for optimization of the current and voltage signals as well as power factor. A continuous post-fault operation can be achieved for critical applications. An experimental prototype 3 kW/230 VAC/800 VDC/32 kHz was created to validate the proposed fault diagnosis method and reconfiguration control method.

Keywords

• five-level active VIENNA rectifier
• short-circuit fault (SCF) type
• diagnosis
• fault-tolerant (FT)