Adding inverter fault detection to model-based predictive control for flying-capacitor inverters

In this paper a method for fault detection for flying capacitor multilevel inverters is presented. When a single-switch open circuit fault occurs in one of the power electronic switches, the proposed algorithm can detect the fault and the switch that is causing it. The analysis is performed on a linear resistive inductive load, used as a simple and comprehensive reference frame. The proposed algorithm is an extension of an already available finite-set model based predictive control algorithm. Therefore no extra hardware or measurements are required. The paper also discusses a suggested method for reconfiguration after fault detection. Computer simulation and experimental verifications validate the proposed methods.