Core question: How fast do semiconductor modules wear out?
Core question: How fast do semiconductor modules wear out?
Until just recently, the developers of power electronics for electric drives had been missing an important piece of information: How strong are the temperature fluctuations that the installed silicon chips are subject to under real driving conditions? Ultimately, such semiconductor modules are not only expensive, but also sensitive. Constant heating-up and cooling-down make the material prone to crumble. If the semiconductor breaks, the entire power electronics system interrupts its service. This is fatal because without these control boxes, electric and hybrid vehicles simply stop running. Power electronics control the flow of electricity from the battery. Also, they convert their direct-current voltage into a three-phase alternating voltage to drive the electric motor.