New Industry Products

2.8kV, 3115A Fast Thyristor with Improved Power Rating

September 14, 2017 by Paul Shepard

IXYS Corporation announced the launch of a new distributed gate thyristor with increased power density. This new fast thyristor with turn-off time of as little as 50 microseconds has an average current rating of 3115 Amps. The device is symmetrical blocking with up to 2800V and is therefore suitable for both voltage and current-fed applications.

The 83mm diameter silicon dice are bonded using a new improved process to ensure the best steady state and thermal transient performance which replaces older design devices based on floating silicon.

The improved mechanical design of the package offers maximum power performance and minimizes material to give exceptional reliability in the harsh operating conditions experienced in resonant power supplies for induction heating applications.

With an average current rating of 3115 Amps at a heatsink temperature of 55 degrees Celsius, the new device has higher rating than present floating silicon design device it replaces, while retaining the same mechanical footprint.

The new fast thyristors have an improved pilot thyristor design. The redesigned distributed gate geometry for the main thyristor gives improved gate trigger characteristics and transfer of current from the pilot device while retaining the requirement for a high rate of change in current capability.

“Provided the correct thermal conditions are observed, with a repetitive rate of change of current of 1000 amperes per microsecond, the device can be used in applications with repetitive frequency up to 5 kilohertz, a condition previously not achievable with a device of this voltage and current rating,” commented Frank Wakeman, IXYS UK’s Marketing & Technical Support Manager.

The dice are encapsulated in a 26mm thick, fully hermetic 75mm electrode contact diameter ceramic packages, with an industry standard overall diameter of 112mm.

The fully symmetrical blocking device is available in two different switching classes at two standard voltage grades, part number designations are: 2.4kV parts are R3115TJ24J with turn-off time 50ms, and R3115TJ24K with turn-off time 60ms; 2.8kV parts are R3115TJ28J with turn-off time 50ms, and R3115TJ28K with turn-off time 60ms.

Typical applications for this device include: induction power supplies for melting, billet heating and surface treatments, as well as resonant power supplies and pulse switches for applications including high power magnets and lasers.