Westcode Offers 6.5kV Thyristor for Electrical Power Control, Generation and Distribution
Westcode Semiconductors Limited, the UK subsidiary of IXYS Corp., has expanded its range of medium voltage thyristors to the 5 to 8 megawatts delivered power range with higher efficiency. The new 6.0kV and 6.5kV devices have an average current rating of 1351A and are encapsulated in 63mm (2.48") pole face hermetic pressure contact packages.
"These new additions offer mid-current devices which fill a gap in our already established medium voltage thyristor product range and represents the first of several planned introductions in this package size," elaborated Frank Wakeman, Marketing and Evaluation Manager at Westcode. "We have further products within the voltage range of 3.6kV to 5.2kV that will be launched in the forthcoming months leading ultimately to an optimal range of medium voltage thyristors that offer a competitive and cost effective solution for equipment design in the one to eight megawatt range."
"These products are directed at the growing demand for efficient power semiconductors in the high power range of megawatts which power MOSFETs and IGBTs cannot serve. The growing demand for electrical power worldwide creates the demand for these higher efficiency devices in electricity generation, distribution and control, which we find as an attractive growth business for us," commented Dr. Nathan Zommer, CEO of IXYS Corporation.
The improved efficiency of these devices saves the user kilowatts of power in the applications, thus creating an attractive payback model in energy efficiency. The new devices incorporate the same proprietary technology that were described in the prior-announced Westcode medium voltage thyristor family that resulted in improved turn-on characteristics, enhanced di/dt capability and improved dynamic switching performance. These unique properties make these devices ideally suitable for medium voltage applications including DC drives, soft-starts, utility applications such as HVDC, static Var compensators, excitation and transfer switches.
The devices are available in two voltage classes and two package options: K1351VF600 and K1351VC600 which are 6.0kV and housed in a 26mm (1") and 35mm (1.38") thick packages respectively, plus K1351VF650 and K1351VC650 that are in corresponding packages at 6500 volts.
