Effects of Aging on the EMI Filter Performance in a Traction Inverter

Ensuring electromagnetic compatibility in electric vehicles is crucial to maintain system stability and performance. The inverter is the most significant source of electromagnetic interference (EMI) in the vehicle because switching the transistors within the frequency module generates noise that propagates through the high-voltage conductors. The DC side passive network circuit, which consists of the EMI filter and the DC-link capacitor, represents one of the most critical systems of the inverter regarding EMI reduction and reliability. The degradation of passive components, such as the capacitors that form the EMI filters, over the vehicle's lifetime directly impacts compliance with these requirements and may lead to malfunctions in the vehicle's operation. This paper investigates the impact of aging on the components of the passive network, evaluating the resulting changes in the performance and efficiency of the overall passive network system.