Capacitors are a very common component in every electronic device. In electric vehicles, more and more capacitors are used to buffer the DC link in power electronics such as inverters, DC/DC converters, chargers, etc. These devices usually draw high peak currents from the DC link periodically, which places a heavy load on the buffer capacitors.
To validate capacitors in such specific stress situations, IRS has developed and built a lifetime simulation system for capacitors. The test system simultaneously stresses the components with temperature cycles, a realistic DC voltage and an AC current profile. All relevant parameters are monitored continuously over hours and days during this stress phase. Measurement data is stored at intervals, and deviations from the expected behavior are logged immediately.
At certain intervals, the load is stopped and the capacitor parameters are measured precisely with an LCR meter and a leakage current meter.
Key facts
- Stress tests up to 10 A RMS continuously and 20 A RMS for short periods
- Flexible, selectable current profiles
- Sine, triangle and square waveforms at various currents
- Precise characterization with LCR meter and leakage current measurement at intervals
- Including temperature chamber to simulate realistic environmental conditions
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