Electronic parts maker ROHM has announced four new
automotive-grade 1,200 V-rated insulated-gate bipolar
transistors (IGBTs) for inverters used in electronics
compressors and for switching circuits used in positive
temperature coefficient (PTC) heaters.
The IGBTs feature a short-circuit resistance of 10 μsec
(Tj=25° C). ROHM says the devices’ unique structure
reduces VCE(sat) to 1.70 V, which leads to a 10% to 15%
reduction in conduction losses compared to convention-
al products.
As more drivers turn to EVs, ROHM believes the need
for electric compressors driven with IGBTs will also
ROHM introduces 1,200 V automotive-grade IGBTs for
compressors and heater circuits
increase. ICE vehicles use the heat dissipated from the
engine itself as a heat source for the cabin, but ROHM
says demand is increasing for systems that use circu-
lating warm water with a PTC heater as a heat source.
IGBTs that operate at low frequency are commonly used
in inverters and switches for these applications.
The company also points to the ever-increasing
battery capacity of EVs as a driver of more demand for
IGBTs. Higher-voltage batteries (800 V) require low-loss
power devices that can withstand higher voltages, which
increases the demand for both 650 V-rated and 1,200
V-rated IGBTs.