Condition Monitoring of DC-Link Electrolytic Capacitor in Back-to-Back Converters Based on Dissipation Factor

Condition-monitoring systems are used to determine the best timing for predictive maintenance of power electronics converters. These monitoring systems can significantly reduce the converter repair time and increase system availability. In this article, an investigation has been conducted on the possibility of using the dissipation factor as a lifetime indicator of electrolytic capacitors. A criterion is also proposed based on the dissipation factor to detect electrolytic capacitors’ end of useful life. A method has been presented for measuring the dc-link capacitor dissipation factor in a back-to-back converter. Using this technique, it is possible to estimate the switching component of the capacitor current by measuring the output currents of the converter without a need to measure the capacitor current directly. The proposed method is simulated, and the impact of various factors, such as switching frequency, capacitor series inductor, and the network filter on the accuracy of the dissipation factor measurement, is discussed. Experimental results are also provided to validate the acceptable accuracy of the proposed method.