Simplified Fault Detection Algorithm for Voltage Source Fed Induction Motor

Industrial applications of induction motor were increased these days due to robust construction. When a three-phase diode clamped inverter is driving this induction motor, the knowledge of inverter performance is very much necessary for the proper operation of induction motor drive. Conventional three-level inverter can drive the induction motor for its speed control. Out of various configurations of MLI, Diode clamped MLI is popular. It has the advantages of simple configuration and requires less number of individual DC sources. But the basic knowledge of faults in the inverter circuit can be very handy for the effective design of induction motor drive system. For the fault mitigation basically the fault detection is to be known. This paper introduces a simple algorithm for the fault identification. This algorithm is very much useful in finding the faulty phase. Out of different faults in the inverter circuit, gate driver faults are common and this paper discusses the gate open fault which is very often fault in the inverter circuit. The simple algorithm also can detect the switch in a leg where this fault occurs. This algorithm is very handy for the fault mitigation. The analysis was carried out using Matlab/ Simulink software. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.