Fault Protection System for Current Source Inverter with Normally on SiC JFETs

Abstract:

This paper describes a simple fault protection system for Current Source Inverter built with normally-on SiC JFETs. Because all transistors are in on-state after loss of the gate drive(s) supply, list of possible fault modes is extended in reference to standard inverters. That is also why an additional normally off switch is introduced in the DC link. Operation principles of the protection system which follows the drain-source voltages of JFETs and the current of the DC link are presented. The 2kVA/100kHz model of the inverter equipped with the proposed system is validated via various laboratory tests including short-circuits and the auxiliary supply turn off.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volumes 679-680)
• Pages: 750-753
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.679-680.750
• Online since: March 2011
• Authors: Jacek Rabkowski, Mariusz Zdanowski, Mietek Nowak, Roman Barlik
• Keywords: Current Source Inverter, Fault Protection, Normally-On JFET

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