News

Innovative “Isolated Wire-in-Wire” Transformers for use with Gate Drivers from Power Integrations

March 05, 2019 by Paul Shepard

Power Integrations today announced a range of galvanically isolated transformers that provide the correct voltage and power for the company's SCALE-iDriver™ family of gate drivers. The combination delivers a simple, robust and cost-efficient dc-dc converter solution that does not require additional voltage regulation, reducing system cost and development time. The SIT12xxI transformer and SCALE-iDriver ICs are fully UL and VDE approved.

The new SIT12xxI transformers feature an innovative insulated construction that improves reliability and delivers a high isolation capability combined with low coupling capacitance. Devices suit both 600V and 1200V two-channel SCALE-iDriver gate drivers with 5V (SIT1253I) or 15V (SIT1217I) input voltages and 25V output voltage.

The transformer "isolated wire-in-wire" structure provides excellent reliability and strong isolation combined with low coupling capacitance. The high isolation capability is achieved without the need for mold compound. SIT12xxI transformers are UL and VDE approved, simplifying safety certification and reducing time-to-market.

SIT1217I and SIT1253I Transformers.

The shrouded transformers weigh only 9g and require no potting, but nonetheless pass tests for extended field life and high resistance to shock and vibration. They meet UL1446, UL61800-5-1, IEC61800-5-1, IEC61558-1 and IEC61558-2-16.

"The SCALE-iDriver family of IGBT and SiC-MOSFET driver ICs employs Power Integrations' FluxLink™ magneto-inductive bi-directional communications technology to ensure reinforced galvanic isolation between the primary and secondary sides, setting a new standard in isolation integrity and stability," commented Thorsten Schmidt, product marketing manager for gate-driver products at Power Integrations.

"By providing a perfectly matched transformer we reduce system development, qualification and certification time, and also simplify the purchasing process. The new design of the transformer construction targets industrial applications, delivering a rugged and lightweight isolated dc-dc solution while minimizing common-mode noise coupling," Schmidt concluded.

Application Example SIT1253I with 5 V Supply Voltage. (click on schematic to enlarge)

SIT12xxI transformers are available now, priced at $4.00 in quantities of 10,000.