Key components of demanding applications
Hitachi Energy’s semiconductors are key components in a variety of demanding applications in markets like power transmission & distribution, industry, mobility and renewable energy. Customers rely on Hitachi Energy’s high quality power semiconductor products and use them in applications in power ranges from 50 kW to 10 GW.
Applications
- Power transmission and distribution (HVDC, FACTS, STATCOM and others)
- Industry (medium and low-voltage drives, soft starters, UPSs, high-power rectifiers, excitation systems and others)
- Renewable energy (converters for pumped hydro, wind turbines and solar)
- Mobility (rail and subway main and auxiliary drives, trackside power supply / electrical vehicles)
Integrated gate-commutated thyristors (IGCT’s) from Hitachi Energy
All Hitachi Energy IGCT’s are press-pack devices. They are pressed with a relatively high force onto heat-sinks which also serve as electrical contacts to the power terminals.
The IGCT’s turn-on/off control unit is an integral element of the component. It only requires an external power supply and its control functions are conveniently accessed through optical fiber connections. The device’s control power consumption typically ranges from 10 – 100 W.
The IGCT is optimized for low conduction losses. Its typical turn-on/off switching frequency is in the range of 500 hertz. However, in contrast to the GTO, the upper switching frequency is only limited by operating thermal losses and the system’s ability to remove this heat. This feature, in conjunction with the device’s fast transition between on and off state, enables short on-off pulse bursts with switching frequencies of up to 40 kHz. IGCTs require a turn-on protective network (in essence an inductor) to limit the rate of current rise. However, in contrast to the GTO, the turn-off protection network is optional. It can be omitted at the price of a somewhat reduced turn-off current capability.
Asymmetric IGCT’s
Asymmetric IGCT devices are single devices optimized for snubberless turn-off operation. The associated recovery diodes can be chosen from our fast recovery diodes product range.
Reverse conducting IGCT’s
Reverse conducting IGCTs are monolithical integrated freewheeling diodes. They are optimized for snubberless turn-off conditions.
Reverse blocking ICGT’s
The reverse blocking IGCT is optimized for the lowest conduction losses and highest turn-off current capability.