Don't Throw That Switch Yet! First Steps In A Large Inverter Design
by Paul L. Schimel, International Rectifier, El Segundo, Calif., How2Power Today, Apr 15 2015
Focus:
In a previous article, the author discussed selecting the right IGBT module for the
application. This included understanding the machine and its operating conditions, the IGBT
module construction and the various IGBT ratings. With that as the foundation, the next logical
step is to begin the inverter design. This work takes a look at the first three topics along
that path--the dc link, IGBT and FRED losses, and thermal design. The section on the dc link
offers guidelines on the sizing of bussbars and techniques for minimizing their inductance,
guidelines for specification of the capacitor bank, and related interconnect issues. The
section on IGBT and FRED losses offers guidelines on determining these losses through
simulation and measurement, and demonstrates the use of simplified loss calculations based on
the work of Graovac and Purshel. The last section offers a step-by-step procedure for
calculating thermal resistance requirements for module heatsinks including such details as the
assumed thermal resistance for thermal transfer compound. Overall, the article offers practical
advice on what needs to be simulated, calculated, derived from datasheets, or measured in the
application.
What you’ll learn:
- How to specify bus bars and capacitor banks when designing IGBT modules into large inverter applications
- How to calculate IGBT and FRED losses when designing IGBT modules into large inverter applications
- How to calculate heatsink requirements when designing IGBT modules into large inverter applications
Notes:
This article is a follow-up to "Mission IGBT: Understanding And Specifying IGBT Modules" published
in the December 2014 issue of How2Power Today.
View this Source (requires a PDF Viewer installed on your device)
© 2025 How2Power. All rights reserved.