Power converter junction temperature measurement using infra-red sensors
Studies demonstrate that the power converter has one of the highest failure rates in a wind turbine, with a key failure driver being the power module junction temperature (Tj ). This paper details an experimental setup for simplified emulation of wind turbine conditions on a power converter with infra-red sensing of IGBT Tj . Results are compared to previous simulation work for a PMSG wind turbine, with the same trend of increasing mean Tj with wind speed found, and the need to use an equivalent generator reactance in highlighted. A commercial-scale prototype for more accurate wind turbine converter emulation is also detailed.