Dissipation Factor as a Degradation Indicator for Electrolytic Capacitors

Capacitors are one of the most critical components in power electronic converters, yet they notoriously susceptible to failure. Avoiding unforeseen outages caused by capacitor failures is effective approaches increase system availability. Therefore, a variety methods have been proposed monitor health condition based on different degradation indicators. This article proposes new approach accurate measurement an electrolytic dissipation factor (DF) detect its end-of-life. Since DF affected both resistance and capacitance simultaneously, it can provide more information about capacitor. To employ as aging indicator, beyond measurement, must be possible establish end-of-life criterion investigate effect other environmental factors. increasing frequency has suggested solution minimize angle error, for which optimal range calculated. In following, several capacitors subjected laboratory study effects aging, temperature, DF. According obtained results, changes dominate DF, thereby enabling same applied monitoring condition.