SOME OBSERVATION DEALING WITH THE FAILURES OF IGBT TRANSISTORS IN HIGH-POWER CONVERTERS

The explosion strength of high power IGBT modules is one of the import ant parameters that may decide on converter equipment reliability in e xtreme circumstances. The explosion strength of a device is represente d by the peak value of the collector current (so called ,,peak case no nrupture current'') that cannot be exceeded. Some main IGBT failure me chanisms under service conditions are discussed. Test methods and expe rimental results on device case explosion strength are presented. Expe riences concerning starting, tests and service of high IGBT converters are given. Preliminary load tests with rapidly changing current value s are useful for newly fabricated IGBT converters. (C) 1998 Elsevier S cience Lid. All rights reserved.