Requirements for the Inclusion of Switching Losses in IGBT Power Cycling Studies

The requirements that an alternating current (AC) power cycling test circuit for insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and their free-wheeling diodes must meet are derived. First, a literature review revealed that the parameter that most affects device power cycling performance is the variation in its junction-case temperature rise (DeltaT_jc). Next, a list of criteria that an AC test circuit must meet was made, based on the literature. Finally, the behaviour of a conventional single phase inverter (H-bridge) using simple PWM control was quantified by simulation for different switching frequencies and power factors. It is shown that this circuit is suitable for AC power cycling, with the disadvantage of high energy losses in the load.