IXYS Expands Wespack™ High Power Product Range With New 1.8kV Rectifier

IXYS Corp. announced that its UK division, Westcode Semiconductors Ltd. (WSL), has launched a new addition to its ’Wespack’ product range. The new rectifier has a voltage rating up to 1.8kV and nominal RMS current rating of 6965A. The new rectifier is packaged in a low profile 14.5mm thick, 38mm hermetic pressure contact package that provides double side cooling, which is said to result in better thermal and energy efficiency.

The new device is manufactured using a proprietary process resulting in an optimised low forward voltage drop of 1.2V at 3000A. The ’Wespack’ package with its reduced electrode thickness gives very low thermal resistance from the active die to the external heat sink. In combination, these characteristics are said to result in a device which maximizes power control in the smallest package footprint. According to the company, when the new device is compared to a conventionally packaged device in a 26mm (1.02") thick package with the same 58.5mm (2.3") overall diameter, the new device presents twice the nominal current rating and 40% less weight.

"It is an expansion of our ’megawatts’ series of power semiconductors that offer significant energy savings in high power systems due to their lower power losses in operation. The lower weight and size, reduces packaging costs for us, and assembly and integration costs for our customers, which results in reduced transportation costs and material costs. These features are critical in transportation systems such as trains, escalators, elevators, power supplies, welders and motor drives applications," commented Dr. Nathan Zommer, CEO of IXYS Corp..

The devices are suitable for all types of heatsinks and cooling methods. In particular, the high power rating and small footprint of the device are said to allow for very compact heatsink designs with up to 70% less volume than those designed around conventionally packaged devices. The new diode is suitable for all types of rectifier applications, including input power rectification, power supplies, UPSs, motor drives, welding, etc, especially where it is desirable to improve cooling and reduce the weight of final product.

The device is available in three standard voltage class options; W3864QK100, W3864QK140 & W3864QK180, which are rated at 1.0, 1.4 & 1.8kV, respectively.