Converter Power Loss Analysis in a Fault-Tolerant Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drive

Power converters are complex devices subject to failures that can lead to undesired stops. For this reason, many fault tolerant topologies and strategies have been deeply studied, mainly focusing on improving the electromechanical behaviour of the reconfigured drive after the fault. However, it is also very important to evaluate the possible increase of power losses. In this paper a power loss analysis is performed on a current controlled three-phase inverter supplying a permanent magnet synchronous motor – just chosen as an example -, for all the operating modes, starting from the fault occurrence, until the faulty operation mode is established. This is particularly important because the effectiveness of a fault-tolerant control strategy depends on the possibility to maintain a continuous operation. The latter is ensured only if there is no such an increment of the losses that the survival of the component is at risk. The simulations are validated by means of experimental tests and the results are discussed. The method can be easily applied to other topologies and reconfiguration strategies.