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 (T_j). This paper details an experimental setup for simplified emulation of wind turbine conditions on a power converter with infra-red sensing of IGBT T_j. Results are compared to previous simulation work for a PMSG wind turbine, with the same trend of increasing mean T_j 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]