PCIM 2014: IGBT gate driver extends high power modules protection

It offers innovative protection mechanisms vital for these high power applications, combined with Amantys Power Insight in a ‘plug and play’ format.

At these power levels the gate driver must provide reliable and effective protection mechanisms for a variety of fault conditions.

The new IGBT gate driver includes a variety of detection mechanisms for different short circuit types including a multi-threshold, programmable comparator which can identify slowly increasing fault currents, a fault mechanism which is not commonly detected in commercially available “plug and play” gate drivers. Once a fault is detected the driver is designed to implement a controlled switch off of the IGBT avoiding the potential for damaging voltage spikes.

It also includes the Amantys Power Insight condition monitoring and configuration capability to observe and report on critical power switching characteristics as well as enabling in-system configuration of the driver. Designed for the “intelligent control of power”, the Amantys Power Drive is fully integrated and can measure and export critical performance parameters during operation as well as allowing configuration over the existing optical PWM and fault interfaces. These capabilities greatly simplify the design-in process.

The new Amantys Power Drive gate drive operates at voltages from 3300V up to 6500V and is configurable for industry standard 190mm x 130mm high isolation power modules from manufacturers including ABB, Dynex, Hitachi, Infineon, and Mitsubishi.