Performance improvements using silicon carbide hybrid IGBT modules in traction application

Abstract

This paper presents an evaluation of the performance improvements of using hybrid IGBT modules; Silicon (Si) IGBT and Silicon Carbide (SiC) Diode, in an 225kW dc-dc converter for an electrical storage based light rail vehicle (tramway). First an experimental characterization of the conventional and hybrid IGBT modules is carried out. Second, based in this characterization, the power loss reduction that provides the hybrid semiconductor is calculated, as well as the achievable switching frequency increase maintaining the original thermal design based in a Si module. Finally, the obtained results are validated experimentally in the real 225kW traction converters: two identical power cores, one based on conventional silicon modules and the other based in hybrid modules.