IGBT in Fluorescent Lamps

It is now well-known that the IGBT enabled the introduction of cost-effective and reliable compact fluorescent lamps. This allowed the replacement of incandescent bulbs to provide a typical power savings of 45 watts for a 60-watt bulb. Based on these power savings, the total reduction of electricity consumption in the U.S. and the world between 1990 and 2010 is very noticeable.

The reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in pounds per year due to this reduced electric power consumption can be computed by multiplying the data in these figures by the rate of carbon dioxide emission per kWh of electricity generated by typical power plants. The Environmental Protection Agency has analyzed the carbon dioxide emission from various types of power plants. Electricity is generated mostly (51 percent) from Coal-fired power plants in the United States. Unfortunately, the carbon dioxide emission from coal-fired power plants is the highest among the power generation options.

The average carbon dioxide emission per kWh generated in the U.S. is 1.350 pounds. This value will, therefore, be used in the computation of carbon dioxide emission reductions resulting from IGBT-enabled compact fluorescent lamps. The reduction of carbon dioxide emissions due to the availability of IGBT-based compact fluorescent lamps obtained by multiplying the energy savings per year in kWh by 1.35 pounds/kWh.

IGBT in Solar Inverters

Solar power has a large potential to provide the electricity needs of the world’s burgeoning population. However, in 2008, solar-power supplied less than 0.02% of the total energy supply in the world. In a solar or photovoltaic cell, the incident sunlight is converted into an electrical current using the photoelectric effect within the semiconductor. The typical silicon P-N junction produces the current at a DC voltage of about 0.8 volts. Many such junctions must be placed in series and parallel to create a solar panel with sufficient power generation capability for use in homes or power delivery systems. Typical solar panels may produce hundreds of watts of power at a DC voltage of about 300 volts.

The DC voltage produced by the solar array must be converted into a desired well regulated AC power by using an IGBT-based inverter. IGBTs deliver low conduction and switching losses resulting in high inverter efficiency. Many companies have developed IGBT products specifically targeted for the solar inverter application. Some examples of IGBT products tailored for solar inverter applications are the Microsemi ‘APTGV30H60T3G’, International Rectifier ‘IRG4PC40UDBF’, Infineon ‘EconoDual IGBT’ etc.

Plasma Cutting Machines Use IGBT Based Inverters

Plasma cutting is a procedure for cutting metal (mainly steel) of various sizes and thickness using the plasma torch. This plasma torch is adequately hot to melt the metal that is cut and it also moves quickly to blow the metal far from the present cut. Plasma arc cutters deploy the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) plasma cutting technology to provide more commercial plasma cutting equipment. The IGBT plasma cutters take up a different method to start the pilot arc and are better suited for professional environments. 

Many IGBT plasma metal cutters often deploy high frequency starting technology, high voltage circuits just for the starting process while others use Pilot Arc starting technology, where the torch enables a constant arc without touching the workpiece. The Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) versus the Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) has been a controversial subject ever since the IGBT technology came into being in the 1980s. IGBT technology for welding applications has certainly proved to more effectively handle the rigorous demands the high duty cycles welders as it offers higher voltage capacities and heat tolerances than the earlier MOSFET.

IGBT with X-Ray Machine

A 48kW resonated converter involves four power modules, per module contains two parallel IGBTs and anti-parallel diodes. They are arranged in a half-bridge or push-pull configuration depending on the input, at 400Vac or 200Vac. At maximum power, the peak load current is 550A at 50 kHz or 275A per module for 48kW out. The generator is zero-voltage switched to create a continuous series resonant output current that's transformer-isolated stepped up and rectified to the desired output level.

The output voltage is regulated by a DSP based frequency-modulated controller, with dual-loop feedback on resonant current and load kV. For a range of output power, the system operates from 48 kHz up to 68 kHz with a resonant LC shunt across the load transformer. With fundamental series resonance at 48 kHz, the shunt resonates at 68 kHz. At low frequencies, the generator functions near resonance, with high power throughput. As frequency increases, the impedance rises the load being shorted by the resonant shunt. At 68 kHz, power is zero. Minimum size is important for the state of the art X-ray equipment. In this version of the converter, the four ZVS modules with their tightly packed IGBT and FRED chips require the only ¼ of the surface area formerly used. The integration of drivers, isolation, and ZVS logic circuitry further shrinks the footprint. Control signals have less distance to travel, which improves noise immunity and mechanical.

VI-263-EU

VI-263-EU, a DC-DC isolated converter module from the VI-200 family of Vicor offers exceptional power density, efficiency, noise performance, reliability, and ease of use. The VI-200 family, with over 14 million units shipped, is Vicor’s broad series of “zero-current-switching” component-level DC-DC converters. Compact and efficient, VI-200 converters feature wide input voltage ranges, remote sense, enhanced output programmability, and low standby dissipation. The electronic circuitry is fully encapsulated for protection in harsh environments. By using VI-263-EU, you will be able to achieve up to 88% efficiency. It is used in Railway, High-Efficiency Battery Chargers, Military Vehicles This full brick converter also offers output overvoltage protection and thermal shutdown. You can buy VI-263-EU on our website.

VI-221-IW

VI-221-IW is a full brick isolated DC-DC converter module from VI-200 series of Vicor. The VI-200 family, with over 14 million units shipped, is Vicor’s broad series of “zero-current-switching” component-level DC-DC converters. Compact and efficient, VI-221-IW features wide input voltage ranges, remote sense, enhanced output programmability, and low standby dissipation. It also offers output overvoltage protection and thermal shutdown. The electronic circuitry is fully encapsulated for protection in harsh environments. VI-221-IW’s input voltage: 36 V (21 V - 56 V), output Voltage: 12 V and output Power: 100 W. Its operating temperature is -25°C ~ 85°C and the mounting type is through-hole. The length, width, and height are 116.80 mm, 61.0 mm and 12.7 mm respectively. Its efficiency is 90%. The package is Full Brick.

VI-264-CU

The VI-200 family is Vicor’s broad series of “zero-current-switching” component-level DC-DC converters. More than 14 million units of this family have been shipped and customers are very happy with the performance and reliability of the modules. These converters have set the standard for high power, low noise, reliability, and ease-of-use in the component power industry. Thousands of combinations of input voltages, output voltages, and power levels means not having to compromise when selecting modules for your power system. VI-264-CU is one of the members of this family. It offers exceptional power density, efficiency, noise performance, reliability, and ease of use. Output overvoltage protection and thermal shutdown are two great features of VI-264-CU. You can buy VI-264-CU on our website.