Single and Multiple Open-Switch Fault Diagnosis in Electric Drives via Zero-Current Interval Analysis

Authors

Keywords:

Detection and isolation, Electric Drives, Fault Diagnosis, Inverter, Open-Switch Faults

Abstract

In this work, a new and simple method for open-switch fault diagnosis in electric drives based on zero-current detection is proposed. The approach requires only two phase current sensors, with the measured currents being normalized and separated into positive and negative half-cycles. A variable-sample-time moving average is introduced for post-processing the signals. Zero-current interval detection is employed to diagnose both single and multiple open-switch faults. The proposed method was experimentally validated under various fault conditions, including single-switch, crossed-switch, full-leg, and two upper- or lower-switch open-circuit faults. Experimental results demonstrate that, despite its simplicity and ease of implementation, the method reliably detects all single and double open-switch fault scenarios in less than one electrical cycle, across different motor operating conditions.

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Author Biographies

Luis Esteban Venghi, Centro de Investigación y Transferencia de Rafaela

Luis Venghi received his degree in Electronic Engineering in 2016, from Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina. He also received his PhD degree in Engineering Sciences in 2022, at the National University of Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina. He is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow of CONICET and member of the Research and Transfer Center of the National University of Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina. His topics of interest are: electric drives, fault diagnosis, fault tolerance and electric vehicles.

Facundo Aguilera, Grupo de Electrónica Aplicada

Facundo Aguilera (S'05 - M'14 - SM'20) was born in San Luis, Argentina in 1985. He received the degree in Electronic Engineering with Orientation in Digital Systems from the Universidad Nacional de San Luis, in 2009, and the Doctorate Degree in Engineering Science from the Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto (UNRC), Argentina, in 2015. In 2010, he joined the Grupo de Electrónica Aplicada (GEA), UNRC. He is currently professor with the UNRC and Asistant Researcher with the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina. He is currently president of the IEEE Joint Chapter\#1 (IE13/CS23/RA24/IA34/PEL35/VT06), Argentina Section. His research interests include electric vehicles traction, fault tolerant power electric converters and renewable-energy generation.

Pablo de la Barrera, Grupo de Electrónica Aplicada

Pablo de la Barrera (Senior Member, IEEE) was born in Río Cuarto, Argentina, in 1978. He received the B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in electrical engineering from the Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Río Cuarto, in 2003 and 2006, respectively, and the Ph.D. degree in control systems from the Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina, in 2009. Since 1998, he has been with the Grupo de Electronica Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. He is also with the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina. His research interests include condition monitoring and diagnostics of electric machines and drives, electric vehicles, and renewable energy generation.
Dr. de la Barrera was Vice-Chair (in 2017), and Chair (in 2018) of the Argentina Section Joint Chapter #1 within the IEEE (IE13/CS23/RA24/IA34/PEL35/VT06).

Cristian De Angelo, Grupo de Electrónica Aplicada

Cristian De Angelo (S'96 - M'05 - SM'10) received the Electrical Engineer degree from the Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Argentina, in 1999, and the Dr. of Engineering degree from the Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina, in 2004. In 1994, he joined the Grupo de Electrónica Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. He is currently Associate Professor at Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto and Principal Researcher at Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina.
His research interests include electric and hybrid vehicles, fault diagnosis on electric machines, electric motors control, energy efficiency and renewable-energy generation.

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Published

2026-02-27

How to Cite

Venghi, L. E., Aguilera, F., de la Barrera, P. ., & De Angelo, C. (2026). Single and Multiple Open-Switch Fault Diagnosis in Electric Drives via Zero-Current Interval Analysis. IEEE Latin America Transactions, 24(3), 216–226. Retrieved from https://latamt.ieeer9.org/index.php/transactions/article/view/9957

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 3 (2026): Ordinary Issue

Section

Computing