State-of-the-art of solid-state motor controllers. Part 4: Failure-rate and failure-mode data

The reliability of solid state motor controllers for nuclear power plants was assessed. Available data on failure rate and failure mode data for solid state motor controllers based on industrial operating experience is meager; the data are augmented by data on other solid state power electronic devices which have components similar to those found in solid state motor controllers. In addition to large nonnuclear solid state adjustable speed motor drives, the reliability of nuclear plant inverter systems and high voltage solid state dc transmission line converters is assessed. The reliability of solid state devices typical of those expected to be used in nuclear power plants in terms of failures per hour are determined.