Analysis of Internal Signal Perturbations in DC/DC and DC/AC Converters under Arc Fault

Benjamin Vidales Luna, José Luis Monroy-Morales, Manuel Madrigal Martínez, Domingo Torres-Lucio, Serge Weber and Patrick Schweitzer
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Benjamin Vidales Luna: Programa de Graduados e Investigación en Ingeniería Eléctrica Instituto Tecnológico de Morelia, Morelia 58120, Mexico
José Luis Monroy-Morales: Programa de Graduados e Investigación en Ingeniería Eléctrica Instituto Tecnológico de Morelia, Morelia 58120, Mexico
Manuel Madrigal Martínez: Programa de Graduados e Investigación en Ingeniería Eléctrica Instituto Tecnológico de Morelia, Morelia 58120, Mexico
Domingo Torres-Lucio: Programa de Graduados e Investigación en Ingeniería Eléctrica Instituto Tecnológico de Morelia, Morelia 58120, Mexico
Serge Weber: Institut Jean Lamour, Universite de Lorraine, 54011 Nancy, France
Patrick Schweitzer: Institut Jean Lamour, Universite de Lorraine, 54011 Nancy, France

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-16

Abstract: The constant increase in electrical energy consumption has led to a growth of photovoltaic installations (PV) along with the corresponding power converters for proper operation. Power electronics converters represent a challenge to maintain the system’s performance and safety; one such problem is series DC Arc Fault (AF). DC AFs lead to fire risk, damaging the main bus and the loads when not detected and interrupted in time. Therefore, research about DC AFs in power electronics converters must be carried out to predict the behavior and help avoid damage to the system. In this work, an innovative hybrid multilevel inverter for PV applications is used to explore the effect of series DC AFs in the converters’ internal signals, with the aims of setting the bases for the development of a detection system for power electronics. Both stages of conversion (DC/DC and DC/AC) are presented. In addition, the placement of the MPPT converter was considered for the tests. The AF experimental tests were performed with a generator based on the UL1699B specifications. The measurements of signals were performed in strategic points of the DC side, and changes and how to exploit them are discussed. This study contributes to a better understanding of the DC AF phenomenon and provides new insights for the development of new PV system protections.

Keywords: series DC Arc Faults; hybrid converter; direct current converter (DC/DC); direct to alternative current converter (DC/AC); multilevel inverter; photovoltaic (PV) systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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