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This study deals with a new approach for real-time detection of early ageing in DC-link electrolyte capacitors of DC–DC converters. The method is based on the comparison between the slope of the inductor current derived from a reference dynamic model and that of measurement. All of the normal deviations of the system parameters including gradual ageing of the capacitor and impact of the operating temperature are taken into account in the reference model. Since parameters of the reference model are set in accordance with the datasheets of the components, the reference slope represents normal gradual ageing of the capacitor. Therefore, any early ageing emerges in the measured slope. An accelerated ageing test bench was implemented to assess the proposed method, by which early ageing is emulated by experiments. The results confirm the performance of the method for the early ageing detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]