An investigation of the endurance of capacitors supplied by nonsinusoidal voltage

This paper presents the results of tests performed on small-size capacitors with the aim of investigating the effect of nonsinusoidal voltage on life performance. Harmonic components, as those detectable in ac networks supplying distorting loads, are added to the sinusoidal supply voltage and life tests are carried out under such waveforms. The effects of voltage and current distortion on accelerated electrical aging are modeled and discussed on the basis of statistical techniques, focusing mainly on the features which affect life performance of capacitors. This approach leads to a relationship between expected life and voltage waveform characteristics.