Gate Driver ICs Enable Higher Efficiency In Air-Conditioning Systems
by Nagarajan Sridhar, Texas Instruments, Dallas, Texas, How2Power Today, Apr 15 2016
Focus:
The use of variable frequency drive (VFD) and power factor correction (PFC) circuits in air
conditioning systems creates specific requirements for power controllers, gate drivers and
power switches. Gate drivers play an important role in achieving superior performance and
efficiency in these applications but must be robust to handle harsh, noisy environments. In
this article, the author discusses the types of gate driver ICs that are available for use in
modern-day air conditioners. The application focus here is on the split air conditioners used
in residential and commercial applications, specifically on the PFC and VFD power stages found
in the outdoor units. After some brief discussion of air conditioning functions and the basic
power topologies used to power compressors and fans, the article discusses gate-driver
requirements for these topologies and some gate driver ICs from Texas Instruments that address
these needs. These gate drivers are for silicon IGBTs and MOSFETs. These discussions should be
helpful for appliance designers who are just beginning to apply power electronics in their
applications.
What you’ll learn:
- How to select gate driver ICs for VFD and PFC circuits in air conditioning systems
- How to understand the power circuit topologies used to power compressors and fans in air conditioning systems with VFD and PFC
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