A reliability-oriented design method for power electronic converters

Reliability is a crucial performance indicator of power electronic systems in terms of availability, mission accomplishment and life cycle cost. A paradigm shift in the research on reliability of power electronics is going on from simple handbook based calculations (e.g. models in MIL-HDBK-217F handbook) to the physics-of-failure approach and design for reliability process. A systematic design procedure consisting of various design tools is presented in this paper to design reliability into the power electronic converters since the early concept phase. The corresponding design procedures and reliability prediction models are provided. A case study on a 2.3 MW wind power converter is discussed with emphasis on the reliability critical component IGBT modules.