Loss Characteristics of 6.5 kV RC-IGBT Applied to a Traction Converter

Abstract

6.5 kV level IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) modules are widely applied in megawatt locomotive (MCUs) traction converters, to achieve an upper 3.5 kV DC link, which is beneficial for decreasing power losses and increasing the power density. Reverse Conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) constructs the conventional IGBT function and freewheel diode function in a single chip, which has a greater flow ability in the same package volume. In the same cooling conditions, RC-IGBT allows for a higher operating temperature. In this paper, a mathematic model is developed, referring to the datasheets and measurement data, to study the 6.5 kV/1000 A RC-IGBT switching features. The relationship among the gate desaturated pulse, conducting losses, and recovery losses is discussed. Simulations and tests were carried out to consider the influence of total losses on the different amplitudes and durations of the desaturated pulse. The RC-IGBT traction converter system with gate pulse desaturated control is built, and the simulation and measurements show that the total losses of RC-IGBT with desaturated control decreased comparing to the RC-IGBT without desaturated control or conventional IGBT. Finally, a proportional small power platform is developed, and the test results prove the correction of the theory analysis.

Design, Analysis and Experimental Verification of the Self-Resonant Inverter for Induction Heating Crucible Melting Furnace Based on IGBTs Connected in Parallel

“…Following the recommendations given by IGBT manufacturers and the industrial research on induction heating [45][46][47], as a first assumption, a derating factor of ∆ = 0.2 is accepted. A suitable transistor technology for a resonant inverter can be chosen (Trenchstop, Trench gate field-stop, etc., RC-IGBT [48,49]) with Positive Thermal Coefficient (PTC). Considering the current ranges for the discrete IGBT transistors, assembled in TO-247, TO-3PN, TO-264, etc.…”

“…Several IGBTs, which have been used for the analysis and experimental verification, are presented in Table A1, Appendix A. (Trenchstop, Trench gate field-stop, etc., RC-IGBT [48,49]) with Positive Thermal Coefficient (PTC). Considering the current ranges for the discrete IGBT transistors, assembled in TO-247, TO-3PN, TO-264, etc.…”

“…According to the presented applications [45], the analysis of the transistors' technology and their implementation in the induction inverters [47] justifies the suggestion that paralleled RC-IGBT can operate with a good current sharing and, hence, low current mismatch. The experimental data presented with oscillograms showed inverters' soft-switching operation [45,[47][48][49][50] in the induction heating resonant inverters. Furthermore, the assembling procedure applied for half-bridge resonant inverters [46] implies that current equalisation for the self-resonant induction converters based on paralleled IGBTs can be easily achievable.…”

A Buck-Boost Transformerless DC–DC Converter Based on IGBT Modules for Fast Charge of Electric Vehicles

“…Two different IGBT structures, Floating Island (FLI) and Revers Conducting (RC-IGBT), are analyzed in [18] and [19,20] respectively. These technologies offer significant advantages such as a lower break-down voltage, which leads to lower losses and better efficiency, better robustness under fault conditions, etc.…”

“…These technologies offer significant advantages such as a lower break-down voltage, which leads to lower losses and better efficiency, better robustness under fault conditions, etc. In [20] an application in high voltage railway converters is presented. A significant decrease in losses, accomplished with RC-IGBT modules compared to conventional IGBT modules, is shown.…”