Characterisation of high-voltage IGBT modules at high temperature and high currents

An experimental investigation about the behaviour of 3300 V - 1200 A IGBT modules both at high temperature and for large output currents is presented. The real IGBT turn-off limits, in terms of maximum switchable current, and the short circuit behaviour at larger different environmental temperatures are identified. The experimental study has been performed by means of a nondestructive set-up where IGBT modules are switched on an inductive load in presence of a protection circuit. It is activated at the occurrence of dangerous operating conditions, thus preventing the IGBT module failure. On the basis of an extensive experimental characterization, the paper demonstrates the possibility of operating up to 145 °C case temperature and at currents much larger than the declared RBSOA limits.