A simple tool for the selection of IGBTs for motor drives and UPSs

Abstract

This paper presents a simple method to predict the losses in the power semiconductors of an inverter where the output sinewave is obtained by pulse-width modulation of a high frequency carrier. This is accomplished by means of accurate device models based on a large number of measurements on a statistically representative population. Closed form expressions to calculate conduction and switching losses are also presented. With this information and the thermal environment specific to the application, a simple spreadsheet can be designed that provides a breakdown of losses and temperatures for any operating condition, including regeneration, locked rotor and third harmonic distortion.<>