Recent Developments in Fault Detection and Power Loss Estimation of Electrolytic Capacitors

This paper proposes a comparative study of current-controlled hysteresis and pulsewidth modulation (PWM) techniques, and their influence upon power loss dissipation in a power-factor controller (PFC) output filtering capacitors. First, theoretical calculation of low-frequency and high-frequency components of the capacitor current is presented in the two cases, as well as the total harmonic distortion of the source current. Second, we prove that the methods already used to determine the capacitor power losses are not accurate because of the capacitor model chosen. In fact, a new electric equivalent scheme of electrolytic capacitors is determined using genetic algorithms. This model, characterized by frequency-independent parameters, redraws with accuracy the capacitor behavior for large frequency and temperature ranges. Thereby, the new capacitor model is integrated into the converter, and then, software simulation is carried out to determine the power losses for both control techniques. Due to this model, the equivalent series resistance (ESR) increase at high frequencies due to the skin effect is taken into account. Finally, for hysteresis and PWM controls, we suggest a method to determine the value of the series resistance and the remaining time to failure, based on the measurement of the output ripple voltage at steady-state and transient-state converter working.