Abstract: The disclosure relates to thermal management of a power electronics converter. An example embodiment includes a power electronics converter comprising: a first set of terminals connectable to a first voltage supply; a second set of terminals connectable to a second voltage supply; a plurality of semiconductor switches connected between the first and second sets of terminals; a voltage sensor connected to measure a voltage across the second supply; a current sensor connected to measure a current through the second supply; and a controller connected to provide switching signals to the semiconductor switches and to receive voltage and current signals from the voltage and current sensors, the controller configured, for each of the semiconductor switches, to: determine a junction temperature of the semiconductor switch; compare the determined junction temperature to a reference temperature; and adjust a switching gate voltage applied to the semiconductor switch.

Abstract: An operating condition monitor (100) for monitoring an operating condition of a transistor-based power converter (102), comprising: a sensing apparatus (106) configured to measure a turn-off transient energy of the power converter (102), a processor (108) in communication with the sensing apparatus (106) to receive the measurement of the turn-off transient energy, the processor being configured to: compare the measurement of the turn-off transient energy to a threshold; and issue an event signal based on the comparison to the threshold meeting a comparison criterion. A method (200, 200?) of monitoring an operating state of a transistor-based power converter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method and machine-readable instructions for monitoring a power electronics device. The system involves a semiconductor device, at least one sensor and a processor. The processor is configured to monitor a junction temperature of the semiconductor device by determining from the at least one sensor an on-state resistance of the semiconductor device and calculating the junction temperature of the semiconductor device according to a relationship between the on-state resistance of the semiconductor device and the junction temperature of the semiconductor device. The processor may apply an ageing coefficient to the on-state resistance.

Abstract: An operating condition monitor (100) for monitoring an operating condition of a transistor-based power converter (102), comprising: a sensing apparatus (106) configured to measure a turn-off transient energy of the power converter (102), a processor (108) in communication with the sensing apparatus (106) to receive the measurement of the turn-off transient energy, the processor being configured to: compare the measurement of the turn-off transient energy to a threshold; and issue an event signal based on the comparison to the threshold meeting a comparison criterion. A method (200, 200?) of monitoring an operating state of a transistor-based power converter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method and machine-readable instructions for monitoring a power electronics device. The system involves a semiconductor device, at least one sensor and a processor. The processor is configured to monitor a junction temperature of the semiconductor device by determining from the at least one sensor an on-state resistance of the semiconductor device and calculating the junction temperature of the semiconductor device according to a relationship between the on-state resistance of the semiconductor device and the junction temperature of the semiconductor device. The processor may apply an ageing coefficient to the on-state resistance.