Investigation of the dynamics of electric drive in fault modes of two- and three-level inverters

The short list of requirements to the traction electric drive has to satisfy is highlighted. The topologies and operation principles of two- and three-level voltage source inverters fed a traction induction motor are presented. The brief survey of the frequency converters faults and malfunctions is carried out. The transient modes of electric drives under transistor short-circuit fault and transistor gate drive open-circuit fault in both two- and three-level voltage source inverters are considered. The results of simulation in Matlab are presented for the electric drive with 14 kW induction motor and scalar control system. The transistor gate drive open-circuit fault is shown not to have significant differences for the inverter topologies to be considered. The transistor short-circuit fault in three-level inverter is shown to have less negative impact on the semiconductor devices, induction motor stator winding and mechanical units of drive.