Lifetime of Film Capacitors in Single-Phase Regenerative Induction Motor Drives

Metallized polypropylene film capacitors (MPPF) are a very interesting alternative to electrolytic capacitors, because they can withstand much higher levels of surge voltage, very high RMS currents, and offer longer lifetimes. This paper analyses the lifetime of MPPF capacitors present in the DC link of a single-phase regenerative induction motor (IM) drive. The system under analysis contains a single-phase active rectifier in the front end, a MPPF capacitor in the DC link, and an inverter which supplies a three-phase induction motor with indirect rotor field oriented control (IRFOC). The results are based on simulations and evaluations obtained through Matlab/Simulink combined with lifetime model from a film capacitor manufacturer.