Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. has announced the availability of the P633C Series 3rd-generation small intelligent power modules. Particularly, their function is to help reduce the power consumption of the equipment on which it is mounted. Applications include home appliances and machine tools.

Background

Intelligent power modules (IPMs) are power semiconductors equipped with a built-in IGBT drive circuit and protection function. Moreover, their applications include inverters and servo systems.

Inverters and servo systems control machine operation by controlling voltage and frequency through power semiconductor switching (turning electricity on and off). However, power semiconductors generate power loss and electromagnetic noise during switching.

This product can reduce both the power loss and the electromagnetic noise generated during switching. Using this product in inverters for home appliances or servo systems for machine tools can reduce the power consumption of the equipment on which it is mounted. Thus, contributing to the achievement of a decarbonized society.

Features

Primarily, the new IPMs by Fuji Electric offer improved trade-off characteristics between power loss and electromagnetic noise.

One way to reduce the power loss that occurs during switching is to speed up the switching operation. However, faster switching increases electromagnetic noise, which can cause peripheral devices to malfunction. For that reason, this product uses the latest 7th-generation IGBT/FWD chips. Thus, achieving a 10 percent reduction of power loss and a reduction of electromagnetic noise to approximately 1/3* compared with conventional products.

The trade-off characteristics between power loss and noise are among the best in the industry.

An IPM incorporates a control IC that has an IGBT drive circuit and a protection circuit. Hence, it is easy to design peripheral circuits and can secure high system reliability.

Suitable for applications such as AC servo, air conditioning equipment, and elevators.

There are small IPMs in 15A to 30A/600V series. Furthermore, the IPM, which covers capacities up to 400A/600V and 200A/1200V.

Overcurrent protection, short circuit protection, control power supply voltage drop protection, and overheat protection are built in and an alarm signal is output.

What Power Semiconductors Do?

Power semiconductors can handle high voltages and large currents. Moreover, they possess a structure that is different from regular semiconductors. Thus, enabling them to handle high voltages and large currents without damage.

Failures may occur due to a rise in temperatures resulting from heat generated from handling large power. Therefore, companies like Fuji Electric have worked to develop ways to reduce the amount of power semiconductor loss, which is the cause of the heat generation. At the same time, also effectively releases the generated heat to the outside.

Power semiconductors’ primary applications include power conversion, such as in changing voltages and frequencies, as well as changing DC to AC and AC to DC. Power semiconductors play a huge and indispensable role in accurately driving motors from low to high speeds and supplying power grids with power generated from solar cells with less power loss. At the same time, providing a stable source of electricity to various home appliances and electrical equipment.
Recently, there has been a greater awareness of the need for energy savings and power consumption reductions. As a result, the need for power semiconductors that minimize power loss has been increasing.

Note:

*Electromagnetic noise in the 10 MHz band.