Loss mechanisms in IGBTs under zero voltage switching

Loss characterization of IGBTs under zero voltage switching conditions is needed to understand operating limits for soft switching converters such as the resonant DC link inverter. Several important loss mechanisms which can be identified include turn-off switching loss due to tail current `bump´, dynamic saturation and snubber dump loss during turn-on, elevated conduction loss due to imperfect conductivity modulation under di/dt conditions snubber dump at device turn-on, loss associated with energy trapped in the device package internal inductance, and losses associated with uneven current distribution within the device. These loss components are quantified, and experimental validation of total device losses is presented