Detection of faults of filter capacitors in a converter. Application to predictive maintenance

One of the most frequent reasons of breakdown of static power converters, and in particular switch mode power supplies, is the failure of filter electrolytic capacitors. With the use of time-worn capacitors, or by modelling the faults artificially, the authors have developed a fault indicator. By comparing the latter with data representing the system during normal running, they have achieved an estimate of imminent failure.<>