Thermal Analysis of Inductors in Power Electronics Combining Semi-Analytical and Experimental Approaches

The growing interest in renewable energy technologies is currently pushing improvements in power electronics. Inductors are considered as crucial components in power electronic systems due to their energy storage and filtering capabilities. Even though inductors’ thermal behavior is typically disregarded, using these components in nonlinear regimes to take advantage of quasi-saturation condition impacts on the components temperature, with consequent influence on power electronic system’s efficiency, reliability, and longevity. This paper presents a comprehensive thermal analysis of electrical inductors combining both semi-analytical and experimental approaches. The semi-analytical approach involves the development of a thermal model to predict the temperature increase, while the experimental approach includes temperature measurements under various operating conditions. The findings provide insights into the thermal behavior of inductors and validate the semi-analytical model, providing a robust framework for thermal management in power electronic systems.