1. What is IGBT?
Power semiconductor devices, also known as power electronic devices or power devices, are a special type of switch with power management capabilities including frequency conversion, voltage regulation, current conversion, and power management. They have wide applications in fields such as computers, communications, consumer electronics, new energy, automobiles, industrial manufacturing, etc. Today, I will focus on introducing the star IGBT module in power devices.
In the industry, power semiconductor devices are typically classified into three main categories:
- Diodes: Switching state controlled by the main circuit (power circuit) itself, hence also known as a passive switch or an uncontrolled switch.
- Thyristors: Can be turned on by a low-power control signal, but can only be turned off by the main circuit (power circuit) itself and not by a control signal, hence also known as a semi-controllable switch.
- Controlled switches: Semiconductor controllable switches include GTO, IGCT, GTR, IGBT, VMOS, etc.
Among power devices, IGBT modules are highly favored across various industries and have even been selected for major technology support projects in China. They combine the advantages of MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) and BJT (Bipolar Junction Transistor) devices, with fast switching speed, high input impedance, low control power, simple drive circuits, low switching losses, low conduction voltage, high current carrying capacity, and low losses, exhibiting significant advantages in high voltage, high current, and high-speed applications.
2. What are the main areas of reference for IGBT power semiconductors?
IGBT modules can be categorized into low-voltage (below 600V), medium-voltage (600V-1200V), and high-voltage (1200V-6700V).IGBTs are mainly used in inverter inverters and other inverter circuits. It inverts DC voltage into AC power with adjustable frequency. It has a cathode, anode, and control pole. Its impedance is huge when it is turned off, and it is disconnected. When turned on, there is a very small resistance, controlled by turning on or off the control electrode to control the turn-on and turn-off between the cathode and the anode. Its main application areas are as follows:
① New energy vehicles
In new energy vehicles, the IGBT module is the core technology component of electric vehicles and charging piles, etc. IGBT module accounts for nearly 5% of the cost of electric vehicles, accounting for about 20% of the cost of charging piles.IGBT is mainly used in the field of electric vehicles in the following areas:
- Electric control system high-power DC / AC (DC / AC) inverter drive car motor.
- Car air conditioning control system small power DC / AC (DC / AC) inverter, the use of smaller current IGBT and FRD.
- Charging pile An intelligent charging pile in the IGBT module is used as a switching element.
② Rail Transportation
IGBT devices have become the mainstream power electronic devices for traction converters and various auxiliary converters in rail transit vehicles. AC drive technology is one of the core technologies of modern rail transit, the traction converter is a key component in the AC drive system, and IGBT is one of the core devices of the traction converter.
③ The power grid and home appliances
Grid systems in the direction of intelligent development, smart grid power generation, transmission side, substation side, and power end and IGBT closely linked to the wind power, photovoltaic power generation in the rectifiers and inverters need to use IGBT modules. In the FACTS flexible transmission technology, extra-high voltage DC transmission requires many IGBT and other power devices. IGBT is the key device of the power electronic transformer (PET). In-home appliances, microwave ovens, LED lighting drives, etc., IGBT demand continues to rise.
④ The photovoltaic industry
IGBT is the core device of photovoltaic inverter and energy storage inverter. IGBT module accounts for 15% to 20% of the value of photovoltaic inverter, and different photovoltaic power plants require slightly different IGBT products, such as centralized photovoltaic mainly using IGBT modules, while the branch photovoltaic mainly using IGBT single tube or module.
There are many reasons why the domestic supply of IGBTs in China exceeds the demand. Demand: China’s new energy, and electric vehicle industry continues to grow, further driving the demand for IGBTs; on the manufacturing side, the main manufacturers of IGBTs for Infineon, ON Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics, Fuji Electric, Mitsubishi Electric, and other overseas semiconductor manufacturers, the domestic IGBT industry chain and production capacity can not be self-sufficient, in addition to being affected by epidemics, the international environment, the price of raw materials, and other factors. IGBT supply instability is becoming more and more obvious.
For a long time, the high-end IGBT mainstream device market has been monopolized by European and American enterprises, want to achieve domestic substitution of imports there is still a long way to go, IGBT wants to achieve localization, and needs more manufacturers to increase investment in research and development and manufacturing, to enhance the capacity and quality of IGBT devices.
The above is a brief introduction to the IGBT device, IGBT power devices need to be strictly tested to ensure their quality, in the IGBT module testing process, not only advanced test equipment but also professional technical personnel based on the requirements of the design of a reasonable test program.
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