A survey on the reliability of power electronics in electro-mobility applications

Reliability is an important issue in the field of power electronics since most of the electrical energy is today processed by power electronics. In most of the electro-mobility applications, e.g. electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, power electronic are commonly used in very harsh environment. Temperature variations, vibration and also the stresses affecting the device (which can come even from the device itself or from external sources) and may cause unreliable system. Thus, designing reliable power electronic components is important for the aim of reducing the energy losses, maintenance cost and extending the service lifetime as well. Research within power electronics is of high interest as it has an important impact in the industry of the electro-mobility applications. According to the aforementioned explanations, this paper will provide an overview of the common factors (thermal cycles, power cycles, vibrations, voltage stress and current ripple stress) affecting the reliability of power electronics in electro-mobility applications. Also, the researchers perspective is summarized from 2001 to 2015.