IR Intros 600V IR2137 & 1200V IR2237 Solutions

A next generation solution for 600V and 1200V gate drivers from International Rectifier (IR, El Segundo, CA) offers new protection and soft shutdown features claimed to enable the design of more robust IGBT power stages. The new 600V IR2137 and 1200V IR2237 are pin-to-pin and functionally equivalent devices for use with 230Vac and 460Vac motor drives rated up to 5hp or 3.75kW.The IR2137 and IR2237 use de-sat detection technique at the high side gate drive locally to sense the short circuit condition of the high side IGBT. A soft shutdown feature synchronized for all three phases provides turn-off characteristics tailored to avoid the excessive transient overvoltage spike due to fast short circuit current turn-off. The single-chip devices replace up to six discrete opto-coupled gate drivers, enabling ac drives to be smaller in size. The integrated protection features eliminate the need for added discrete components for protection circuit. The 600V IR2137 is housed in a MQFP64 package and is priced from $7.50 in quantities of 10,000. Samples are available now, with production to start in September. The 1200V IR2237 will sample in September.