A Robust Observer-Based Method for IGBTs and Current Sensors Fault Diagnosis in Voltage-Source Inverters of PMSM Drives

Permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) drives using three-phase voltage-source inverters (VSIs) are currently used in many industrial applications. The reliability of VSIs is one of the most important factors to improve the reliability and availability levels of the drive. Accordingly, this paper presents a robust fault diagnostic method for multiple insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) open-circuit faults and current sensor faults in three-phase PMSM drives. The proposed observer-based algorithm relies on an adaptive threshold for fault diagnosis. Current sensor and open-circuit faults can be distinguished and the faulty sensors and/or power semiconductors are effectively isolated. The proposed technique is robust to machine parameters and load variations. Several simulation and experimental results using a vector-controlled PMSM drive are presented, showing the diagnostic algorithm robustness against false alarms and its effectiveness in both IGBTs and current sensors fault diagnosis.