A Novel Fault Detection Method using the PWM Characteristic at Open-Circuit Fault in NPC Inverter Systems

In this paper, a novel fault detection method is proposed when the neutral-point-clamped inverter has a open-circuit fault in the switching device. This proposed method is configured with simple circuit and is achieved by a simple algorithm using the inherent characteristic of the continuous Pulse Width Modulation. Also, this method has the fast fault detection ability and is much simpler to embody, in comparison with conventional fault detection methods. This ability to detect fault minimizes harmful effect which are such as DC-link voltage unbalance and overstress to other switching devices. Therefore, this proposed fault detection method can improve reliability of NPC inverter system. Experimental results are presented to verify the validity of proposed fault detection method.