An insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is a three-terminal power semiconductor device primarily used as an electronic switch which, as it was developed, came to combine high efficiency and fast switching.
It consists of four alternating layers (P-N-P-N) that are controlled by a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) gate structure without regenerative action. Although the structure of the IGBT is topologically the same as a thyristor with a 'MOS' gate (MOS gate thyristor), the thyristor action is completely suppressed and only the transistor action is permitted in the entire device operation range. It switches electric power in many applications: variable-frequency drives (VFDs), electric cars, trains, variable speed refrigerators, lamp ballasts, air-conditioners and even stereo systems with switching amplifiers.| IGBT comparison table [1] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Device characteristic | Power bipolar | Power MOSFET | IGBT |
| Voltage rating | High <1kV | High <1kV | Very high >1kV |
| Current rating | High <500A | High > 500A | High >500A |
| Input drive | Current ratio hFE 20-200 | Voltage VGS 3-10V | Voltage VGE 4-8V |
| Input impedance | Low | High | High |
| Output impedance | Low | Medium | Low |
| Switching speed | Slow (µs) | Fast (ns) | Medium |
| Cost | Low | Medium | High |
IGBT Applications: Industrial
IGBT industrial applications are due to their use in driving motors. Availability of the IGBT in the early 1980s enabled development of cost-effective ASDs (Adjustable speed drives) for motors. These drives reduce energy consumption by more than 40%. Two-thirds of the electricity in the world is used to run motors, so IGBT technology has had a huge impact on energy consumption.
These applications include:
Industrial Motor Drives
Adjustable Speed Drives for Motor Control
Pulse Width Modulated ASD
Factory Automation
Robotics
Welding
Induction Heating
Milling and Drilling Machines
Metal and Paper Mills
Electrostatic Precipitators
Textile Mills
Mining and Excavation
IGBT Optimization for Industrial Applications
IGBT Technology in Power Quality World
The versatile and adaptive design possibility of the IGBT system in all the areas where Power Quality is a mandatory requirement such as,
- Power Factor Improvement using Static Condenser(AVG) using IGBT Technology
- Harmonics Mitigation by Active Harmonic Mitigator (AHM) - Voltage Source Converter using IGBT Technology
- Unbalance Compensation(AUG) (Negative Sequence) using IGBT Technology
- Active Front End DRIVES using IGBT Technology
- Active Front End UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) using IGBT Technology
- Voltage Dip/Sag & Surge Protection using IGBT Technology(Series Compensation)
- Industrial Power Automation solutions for Power Supplies using IGBT Technology
- Special DRIVES for LOCO applications using IGBT Technology
- High Frequency and Higher Power Quality conversions for AVIATION Applications
And many more..
Conclusion
From the Power Factor improvement and Drive application to Voltage Dip / Surge correction, the IGBT Technology has it all. India is focusing on a Better Power Quality more than any other country in the world currently.
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