What is the insulation voltage test method for IGBT module?

Short-circuit all main and control terminals and apply a specified AC voltage between all terminals and the backside metal area for a specified time period.

What is the active clamp circuit?

It is a protection circuit, added to suppress a surge voltage between the collector and the emitter.

Is there any way to simplify the design of the gate drive circuit for the IGBT module and furthermore, include the protection circuit?

IGBT gate drive ICs are supplied from many companies including BROADCOM, Renesas Electronics, Texas Instruments, ISAHAYA ELECTRONICS and TOSHIBA. As the ICs contain short-circuit protection and voltage drop protection circuits within the chip, design of the drive circuit will be simplified. An IGBT module evaluation board with mounted drive IC is available. Please download the […]

Overheat protection and temperature output functions are built in a small IPM. Which temperature is detected?

The temperature of LVIC (low voltage IC for low arm IGBT drive) is detected. It is not the junction temperature of the IGBT.

What is the variance of the internal gate resistance (rg) in an IGBT module?

It is ±10%. However, it is not guaranteed.

What is the successor of the thermal grease G746 (by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd) which is recommended in the IGBT Module Application Note?

Fuji recommends the paste ‘G776’. Please contact Shin-Etsu Chemical for details. However, Fuji Electric does not guarantee its characteristics when combined with IGBT module.

The alarm output terminal VFO of the small IPM goes to low level when an anomaly occurs within the IPM. What is the alarm output pulse width tFO?

The alarm output period tFO is minimum 20μs, but typical value is about 50μs. The typical value, however, is not guaranteed.

What do I have to take care of when using an IGBT module in a converter circuit?

If diode loss increases, check that the diode temperature does not exceed the absolute maximum ratings, and that ΔTvj power cycle capacity is satisfied. Also check that the system will not be broken due to inrush current at power-on or temporary interruption of power.

The recommended dead time for V-Series IPM is minmum 1μs. Does it indicate the input side (primary side) of a opto-coupler?

No. The dead time indicates the dead time on IPM input terminal Vin.

Are 2in1 modules suitable for chopper circuits?

Yes, it is possible to use a 2in1 module in a chopper circuit and use only one of the two IGBTs. To avoid misfiring, please carefully short-circuit gate and the emitter of the unused IGBT.