Flexible, Robust, IGBT Gate Drivers for 4500V Applications

Power Integrations has introduced the 1SP0350V SCALE™-2 single-channel +15/-10 V plug-and-play gate driver. Suited to high-reliability applications in the HVDC and railway industries, the 1SP0350 gate driver reliably and safely drives 4500 V Press-Pack IGBTs and IEGTs as well as other IGBT and IEGT form factors. Based on Power Integrations' widely used SCALE™-2 chipset, the new driver is equipped with Dynamic Advanced Active Clamping (DAAC), short-circuit protection, a built in dc-dc converter, regulated turn-on gate drive voltage, dc-dc overload monitoring and supply voltage monitoring.

The new driver is not tied to any specific IGBT package style nor to a gate resistor configuration. This flexibility allows designers to trial a variety of IGBT modules during development with confidence that the 1SP0350V SCALE-2 plug-and-play gate driver will function optimally. Plug-and-play capability facilitates commissioning and allows immediate operation after installation. Additionally, the highly-integrated SCALE-2 chipset reduces component count by as much as 85% compared with conventional solutions, significantly increasing reliability.

Comments Michael Hornkamp, senior director of marketing for high-power products at Power Integrations: “These new devices are not limited by topology, package or the need for external components. They are efficient, rugged and highly flexible, reducing design time and cost of ownership.”

The new drivers meet creepage and clearance specifications according to IEC standards (IEC61800-5-1). 1SP0350V SCALE-2 IGBT drivers are available now priced at $190 in 1,000-piece quantities.