| Abstract |
The IGBT has become the dominating power semiconductor over the whole blocking voltage range from 600 V to 3300V. The "mainstream" of applications in this range is characterized by the following items: a) Hard switching without snubbers, b) Module package with internal insulation, c) Integrated free wheeling diode. Focused on future high voltage (4.5kV and 6.5kV IGBT) devices and the high power requirements of main line locomotives and high speed trains, these typical application conditions have been thorougly studied and compared to other possible converter concepts. The main points of investigation were: a) Semiconductor optimization with respect to minimal losses and high reliability, b) Increased output power without parallel or series connection, c) Weight, volume and cost reduction, d) Compatibility to motor and line side, e) Protection of the equipment under severe fault conditions. In this paper, the results of these investigations are presented. They show that for the aspired high voltage / high power range a superior converter concept - named small snubber concept (SSC) - is feasible. It compares favorable to both GTO-Converters and present IGBT-Converters. The development of the devices and the converters for the 4.5 kV-level has succesfully reached the prototype status. The first high performance 6.4MW-locomotive (No. 190 of the series BR 152 of the German Railways) fully equipped with this IGBT-converter type is running in regular service since December 1998. Converters with 6.5 kV-devices for application in multisystem locomotives are under development. |
