An Innovative Approach to the Design of Medium Voltage Power Electronics Printed Circuit-Coards

Dealing with the design of MV PCB, under the constraint of maximizing the specific power and, therefore, reducing dimensions, we have to face challenges posed by electric field and temperature magnitude and profile, as well as by the likelihood of inception of surface PD. Innovative design criteria have to be developed, which look at the design from different viewpoints and focus on simulation, modelling and measurements, rather than resorting to existing design procedures and experience which holds, indeed, mostly, for LV components. This paper looks at an innovative approach, linking electric field and temperature profile simulations to life/discharge modelling and partial discharge measurements, so that design field can be associated with life and likelihood of partial discharge inception. This would allow to optimize component design matching with reliability requirements. Here, focus is on AC field simulation and modelling, showing just a few hints on automatic, unsupervised PD measurements. (Abstract)