Designed to last - electrical and thermal aspects in power electronic designs

Increased demand in lifetime is an ongoing trend especially in applications like e-mobility or renewable energies. The designers of power electronic devices are facing the challenge to integrate their designs in continuously shrinking spaces, thus increasing the power density of inverter systems. Though smaller designs accompanied by more compact structures can lead to beneficial effects regarding stray inductances, the thermal management becomes more demanding. This paper deals with the basic design aspects regarding electrical and thermal aspects. Measurements and test results are presented showing the effects of proper design to both the thermal and lifetime situation.