Reliability of Power Electronic Systems: An Industry Perspective

Power electronics systems are used increasingly in a wide range of application fields, such as variable-speed drives, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. These elements have become crucial constituents in the further development of such emerging application fields as lighting, more-electric aircraft, and medical systems [1]. Reliable operation over the designed lifetime is essential for any power electronics system [2], particularly because the dependability of power electronics is becoming a prerequisite for system safety in several key areas, e.g., energy, medicine, and transportation [3].