Reliability-oriented IGBT selection for high power converters

This paper presents a methodology to select IGBT in the reliability-oriented design of high power converters. The failure rate models are presented and the main contributors are analyzed. A review of commercial IGBT chip technologies is conducted, which are used in the later IGBT selections. The reliability models of the power module that includes the IGBTs and other components are built by Markov-Chain Model. Finally, a methodology to conduct the IGBT selection process is developed and illustrated by a given design example, with the goal of the highest power module reliability by selecting the most appropriate IGBTs.