Sic Puts New Spin On Motor Drives

Focus:

In three-phase inverters used in variable-frequency motor drives, IGBTs and silicon-based free wheeling diodes (FWDs) are the mainstream switching devices. Replacing the silicon-based FWDs, which are PiN diodes, with silicon carbide (SiC) Schottky Barrier Diodes (SBDs) enables a reduction in switching losses, an increase in power density, and other benefits.

What you’ll learn:

• How to improve three-phase inverter performance by replacing silicon-based (PiN) freewheeling diodes with SiC Schottky Barrier Diodes
• How to reduce switching losses or improve power density in three-phase inverters used in variable-frequency motor drives
• How to reduce emissions in variable-frequency motor drives

View the Source

Author & Publication:

Michael O'Neill, Applications Engineer, Cree Inc., Durham, N.C, Power Electronics Technology, Jan 01 2005

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