An on-line fault detection and a post-fault strategy to improve the reliability of matrix converters

This paper proposes a new on-line fault detection method to detect open-switch faults in a Matrix Converter (MC). The proposed fault detection method is based on a two-step algorithm. The first step identifies the occurrence of the fault by monitoring the measured load currents. The second step locates the faulty switch by measuring the response of the MC to a set of predefined switching states. The proposed method allows fast detection and isolation of a faulty switch, independent of the modulation strategy, the voltage transfer ratio, or the output frequency, and without any requirement of additional voltage sensors. The paper also presents a Model Predictive Control (MPC)-based post-fault strategy that enables the MC to continue its operation during faulty conditions. Time-domain simulation studies are performed in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment to evaluate the performance of the proposed fault detection method and the effectiveness of the MPC as a post-fault control strategy.