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What is an IGBT and what’s is used for?

What is an IGBT and what’s is used for?
15 November 2024
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What is an IGBT?

An Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) is a three-terminal power semiconductor that works as an electronic switch. An IGBT is a strategic combination of a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field- Effect Transistor (MOSFET) and a Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT). It utilises the low saturation and high current characteristics of a BJT and the fast switching and high efficiency characteristics of a MOSFET. Due to these characteristics and many others, IGBTs are a vital component of many electronic devices.

What is an IGBT used for? 

Due to their advanced and combined characteristics of both MOSFETs and BJTs, an IGBT is a very important device in various high-power applications. Its ability to operate under voltages with low input power and large currents, make them the perfect component for various electronic devices.

Applications include (but not limited to):

  • Variable-frequency device (VFD or VSD) for motor control in industrial machinery, trains, electric vehicles
  • Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
  • Energy storage systems
  • Inverters and Power supplies
  • Industrial control systems and amplifiers in sound systems
  • Induction heating systems

Industries where IGBT are used in

IGBTs are used in many different industries, due to their unique and vital characteristics they are a necessity for most industries, without IGBTs many of these industries wouldn’t be able to function.

Industries where IGBTs are used include (but not limited to):

  • Mining – used in VSDs for industrial machinery and vehicles
  • Food and drink – Used in VSDs for various machinery used in the production of food and beverages.
  • Energy Industry – Used in solar inverters and energy storage systems
  • Industrial Manufacturing – Used in Industrial motor drives, robotics and automation equipment.
  • Transportation – used in trains, electric locomotives and rail systems
  • Aerospace and Defence – power management systems in aircraft and military equipment, control systems.
  • Power electronics: Used in Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), power supplies and inverters.
  • Automotive Industry: Used in motors and drives for electric vehicles and power management systems.

Common faults: 

IGBTs are used extensively in machinery and other electronic devices, hence it is important to know what some common faults are regarding them. Many machineries stop working because of unknown hardware issues, having a clear understanding of the issues and how IGBTs play a role in those issues can be critical in enabling you to repair them.

Some common IGBT issues include:

  • Overheating – This can be caused by IGBT failure, most likely caused by lack of cooling, excessive currents or inadequate environmental conditions.
  • Power supply or Inverter problems – IGBT failure could cause complete failure of power conversion systems, unstable or incorrect output voltage.
  • Renewable energy system – Malfunction of solar inverter, reducing power generation and output failure of turbine power conversion
  • UPS – UPS failures can be caused by IGBT failures, Incorrect voltage or frequency output or inability to provide backup power during outages can all be caused by IGBTs not working properly.
  • HVAC system failures – failure in variable speed compressors, fluctuating temperatures in buildings and increased energy consumption are all consequences of IGBT failures.
  • Railway system failures – loss of speed control, inconsistent acceleration and deceleration can be caused by IGBT failures
  • Industrial automation systems – unexpected stops in production machinery, inconsistency in robotic operations.
  • Electric Vehicle – unexpected loss of power or inconsistent acceleration and deceleration