International Rectifier, IR, a world leader in power
management technology, has launched a new online insulated gate bipolar
transistor (IGBT) selection tool that enables design optimization in a wide
range of applications.
IR’s new IGBT selection tool evaluates application conditions,
including bus voltage, switching frequency, and short circuit protection
requirements. Located at mypower.irf.com/IGBT, the online tool
provides an estimate of losses and suggests parts that can function within the
given constraints. The tool also provides pricing for each part to enable
designers to consider the effects of device choice on system cost.
IGBT selection requires evaluation of many parameters that
cannot be simplified into a single metric. As switching losses can be traded
for conduction losses, for example, calculating operating losses requires both operating
frequency and bus voltage parameters, in addition to operating current. Also,
the requirement of some motor drive inverters for minimum short circuit
withstand time comes at the expense of higher losses.
IR offers a wide selection of IGBTs offering various
tradeoffs in switching speed as well as devices designed for applications that do
not have minimum short circuit requirements. The new selection tool helps
designers make use of IR’s broad IGBT portfolio and weigh the performance tradeoffs.
