Identification of Open-Circuit Faults in T-Type Inverters Using Fuzzy Logic Approach

Abstract

With the increasing adoption of solar Pho- tovoltaic (PV) systems in several applications, reliabil- ity and service continuity are important challenges that need to be addressed. Power converters are vital com- ponents in solar PV systems and inverters tend to be the most likely devices of equipment to experience faults which usually occur in the switching devices. It is there- fore critical to assess the functioning of the inverters and identify these faults in order to lower risks and the resulting financial losses. Open-circuit faults (OCF) are among the most common. This paper suggests a fuzzy-based fault detection approach for the T-Type in- verter in grid connected PV system based on the diag- nosis variables which are calculated using the average values of positive and the negative parts of the normal- ized output currents data. After that, these variables are analyzed using a fuzzy logic technique, The single, multiple power switch open circuit faults may all be de- tected and diagnosed utilizing this fuzzy-based fault di- agnostic technique. The results of the simulation in MATLAB show that the proposed method can accu- rately identify and locate OCF the inverter switches.