IGBT with Power Transmission Systems

In a typical HVDC power transmission system, the power is transmitted at very high voltages (above 100-kV) in order to reduce the current on the cables. Large currents in cables require more copper which adds to the cost and weight. Since power semiconductor devices are unable to withstand such high voltages, it is necessary to connect many devices in series to satisfy the system requirements. In addition, for higher power levels, many devices may have to be connected in parallel as well. The series and parallel combination of power devices comprise an HVDC valve. The most common configuration for modern overhead HVDC transmission lines is bipolar because it provides two independent DC circuits each capable of operating at half capacity. 

Two basic converters topologies are used in modern HVDC transmission systems: conventional line-commutated, current-source converters (CSC) based upon thyristor-valves and self-commutated, voltage-sourced converters (VSC) based upon IGBT-valves. Each valve consists of a large number of series-connected thyristors or IGBTs to sustain the desired DC voltage rating. In the case of current source converters with thyristor valves, a Graetz bridge configuration is used allowing six commutations or switching operations per period. Self-commutated, voltage-source converters using IGBTs are preferred because they allow independent rapid control of both active and reactive power. Reactive power can also be controlled at each end of the transmission line providing total flexibility in network design. The self-commutated, voltage source converters can be constructed using IGBTs without the snubbers required for GTOs. 

The rate of rising of the current in the IGBT can be controlled by tailoring the gate drive voltage waveform without any ancillary components. This allows controlling the reverse recovery of the anti-parallel rectifiers without the snubbers. The reduced passive components in the IGBT-based VSC inverters reduce system costs.

Infineon Presents: 3-Inch EconoPIM 150A IGBT Modules

Infineon expanded the product portfolio of EconoPIM 3-inch IGBT modules. The nominal current of the module is thereby increased from 100A to 150A. Typical applications for power modules for motor control units in elevators, escalators, fans or pumps. The modules include a three-phase rectifier, a braking chopper, a three-phase inverter and a thermistor (NTC) for temperature measurement. At a blocking voltage of 1200V, the new EconoPIM 3 reaches a maximum rated current of 150A. The housing is equipped with a base plate and corresponds in dimension to the industry standard. It can be incorporated into existing designs. When used in the EconoPIM 3 units it allows according to the supplier in the same size up to 30 percent more output power. 

The modules use the IGBT4 chip with TrenchStop technology, robustness, and reliability. Availability: The EconoPIM module with 1200V / 150A is available with solder pins or press-fit bolts. This applies to all variants with the IGBT4 chip in TrenchStop technology. In addition, optional modules with thermal interface material (TIM) are available. Power modules are available in volume production, samples are available. This applies to all variants with the IGBT4 chip in TrenchStop technology. In addition, optional modules with thermal interface material (TIM) are available. Power modules are available in volume production, samples are available. This applies to all variants with the IGBT4 chip in TrenchStop technology. In addition, optional modules with thermal interface material (TIM) are available. Power modules are available in volume production, samples are available.

Usage of IGBT in UPS Inverter

In the highly emulative UPS market, every renowned UPS manufacturer is trying to ameliorate their UPS performance and reliability steadily. This increasing demand will only be satisfied if the components used can keep pace. IGBTs are considered as one of the best choices for medium and high-power UPS because of their simple control, great switching characteristics and excellent reliability. Especially in terms of efficiency, acoustic noise, size, and weight, they remarkably uplift UPS performance. In high power UPS where the inverter operates between 2 and 4 kHz, the main benefit of the IGBT is a simplification of transistor control (increased reliability). Its efficiency is equal to that of bipolar transistors. In medium power UPS often installed in computer rooms, the acoustic noise criterion makes it necessary to remove the 50 or 60 Hz transformer and to add an inverter operating at a frequency of 16 kHz, thus making the IGBT absolutely indispensable both due to the lessening in number of components required to control it and due to the gain in weight and in total dimensions. 

Production of new products calls for a prudent, meticulous choice of new components. We are frequently informed about the announcements of new elements as the IGBT is still in the growth stage. Present studies should not be questioned as authorized approval of a power semiconductor is long and expensive.

IGBT with Induction Rice Cooker

Rice is the first & foremost food for billions of people around the world, especially in Asian countries such as China, India, and Japan, with mass populations. According to Asian Rice Foundation, “Rice is arguably the world’s most important food. It is the second most widely cultivated cereal in the world, after wheat, and is a staple food of over half the world’s population. Rice can be cooked in a variety of ways, including boiling, baking, roasting, frying, and pressure-cooking. Cooking rice in an automatic rice cooker is becoming very popular, as it ensures consistent results and cooking instruction is much simpler to follow”. Many Asian companies have developed rice cookers based upon the induction heating principle. 

The induction heating can be accomplished by using an induction cooking plate or preferably by using an induction rice cooker. Two types of circuit topologies have been explored for the induction rice cooker. The first one is the half-bridge series resonant converter and another is the quasi-resonant converter. The series resonant converter has the advantages of stable switching, low cost, and streamline design. The quasi-resonant converter has the advantage of a smaller design with a reduced heat sink. The quasi-resonant converter is more widely used. Due to the large market for these appliances, some semiconductor companies have developed IGBT products optimized for this market for the quasi-resonant converter topology. IGBTs feature a robust and cost-effective Field Stop (FS) Trench construction and provide superior performance in demanding switching applications, offering both low on-state voltage and minimal switching loss. IGBTs are well suited for this type of resonant or soft switching applications.

Use of IGBTs in Medical Ultrasonography Machines

Heart specialists, neonatologists, obstetricians, urologists, gastroenterologists use ultrasound-based imaging extensively for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Sound waves above the audible range of humans are called ultrasound. The choice of the ultrasound frequency for diagnostic purposes is a trade-off between image resolution and special depth. Due to the longer wavelength of the sound wave, lower ultrasound frequencies produce images with less resolution, although these penetrate deeper into the body. Normal ultrasound frequencies range from 2 to 18 MHz. A hand-held probe is used to perform Sonography that is placed and moved over the patient while viewing the image in real-time. A piezoelectric transducer with a phased array is contained in the probe, which allows altering the direction and depth of the sound wave. 

The sound wave is reverberated from the organs inside the body at different intensities depending upon their composition and the time taken for the echo to return to the transducer specifies the distance traveled by the wave. For diagnostic purposes, this information is converted to an image. The application of a high voltage pulse to the piezoelectric medium produces the sound wave from the ultrasound transducer. The pulse must have an amplitude of over 1000 volts with a current of 20-50 amperes. Because of the short duration of the pulse, generally 0.5 microseconds, with a less operating frequency of 200-Hz, the best approach is to slowly charge a capacitor through a diode when the IGBT is off and then turn-on the IGBT for the short pulse duration to discharge the capacitor through the transducer.

Benefits of IGBT Switching Speed in Elevators

PWM VFD operations need great switching speed which can be attained by using IGBTs (insulated gate bipolar transistor). Switching on and off several thousand times a second is one of the main attributes of IGBTs. A VFD IGBT can turn on in less than 400 nanoseconds and off in about 500 nanoseconds. It is composed of a gate, collector and an emitter. When a positive voltage (typically +15 VDC) is applied to the gate the IGBT will turn on. This is the same as closing a switch. The current will flow between the collector and emitter. A VFD IGBT is turned off by removing the positive voltage from the gate. During the off state, the IGBT gate voltage is generally held at a small negative voltage (-15 VDC) to restrain the device from turning on.

IGBTs are used as power devices by all recent VFDs. These devices make it possible to reduce annoying audible noise by using switching frequencies beyond the audible range. Unfortunately, VFDs using IGBTs, present a high potential for generating RFI - Radio Frequency Interference. Fast switching in these devices generates sharp-edged waveforms with high-frequency components that generate more RFI. The most probable complaint is interference with AM band radio 500-1600 kHz. However, sensitive computers, medical equipment, and other interference-sensitive devices sharing the same power bus could experience significant interference. In extreme conditions, the VFD itself can experience electrical noise interference. If elevator machine room equipment is not properly laid out and correctly wired, the electrical noise propagated by the elevator VFD system can intervene with the elevator controller. The switching speed, simple control, and overload withstand of the IGBT currently make it a component of considerable interest.

IGBT Induction Heating Coil in Photocopiers and Printers

The fixing system for the toner in photocopiers, laser printers, facsimile machines, data recorders, and scanners needs a transfer of toner from the rolling drum to the printing paper with heat and pressure. Radiant heating with halogen lamps was used for this process in the past. However, nearly 90 percent of the printing energy is consumed by this operation. The efficiency can be improved by using the induction heating approach leading to a reduction in the size of the printing devices. 

The induction heating coil is installed concentrically inside the fixing roller. The high-frequency inverter required to feed the inductive energy into the heating coil is built using IGBTs. The actual high efficiency of more than 94 percent of the series resonant ZCS-PDM high-frequency inverter for IH roller in copy and printing machines has been observed for all the output AC power regulation ranges from 50 to 1200 W.

IGBT Inverters in UPS

The most effective way to save electronic equipment from power problems is by using UPS. UPS units have different sizes, from a little desktop system that shields an individual PC to massive UPS that can supply power to a whole building. Nearly every organization has a power safeguard necessity, ranging from companies with computer UPS provides power to your equipment in the case of an entire power collapse, giving you the opportunity to save data and close files. At a more commencing level, the UPS conditions and filters networks to hospitals, airports, oil rigs and anywhere where uninterrupted power is a must. 

Today maximum industries are using UPSs to save their core business against mains failures, mains supply fluctuations, power surges, and other troubles in the electrical supply. Spontaneous control, outstanding switching features and excellent reliability make IGBTs the perfect option today for medium and high-power UPS. These modules greatly enhance UPS performance, specifically in terms of proficiency, acoustic noise, shaped and weight. In high capacity UPS where the inverter functions between 2 and 4 kHz, the prime benefit of the IGBT is a simplification of transistor control (better reliableness). IGBT is comparable to the bipolar transistors in terms of efficiency.

IGBT Transistors in CNC Plasma Cutting Machines

Plasma cutting involves cutting a material using a plasma torch. It is commonly used to cut steel and other metals but can be used on a variety of materials. In this process, gas (such as compressed air) is blown at high speed out of a nozzle; at the same time, an electrical arc is formed through that gas from the nozzle to the surface being cut, turning some of that gas to plasma. The plasma is sufficiently hot to melt the material being cut and moves sufficiently fast to blow molten metal away from the cut. 

The transistors used in plasma cutting were initially MOSFETs, but are now increasingly using IGBTs. With paralleled MOSFETs, if one of the transistors activates prematurely it can lead to a cascading failure of one-quarter of the inverter. A later invention, IGBTs, is not as subject to this failure mode. IGBTs can be generally found in high current machines where it is not possible to parallel sufficient MOSFET transistors.