An Industry-Based Survey of Reliability in Power Electronic Converters

A questionnaire survey was carried out to determine the industrial requirements and expectations of reliability in power electronic converters. The survey was subjective and conducted with a number of high-profile semiconductor manufacturers, integrators, and users in the aerospace, automation, motor drive, utility power, and other industry sectors. According to the survey, power semiconductor devices ranked the most fragile components. It was concluded that main stresses were from the environment, transients, and heavy loads, which should be considered during power electronic system design and normal operation. This paper has also highlighted that there is a significant need identified by the responders for better reliability-monitoring methods and indicators.