3300V Amantys Power Drive™
Technical Manual
SP000005
Important
The information contained herein is intended exclusively for qualified engineers who are experienced with, and
trained in, working with high voltage apparatus which involves risk to life. Strict compliance with all relevant safety
regulations for the target application is essential.
Any handling of electronic devices is subject to the general specifications for protecting electrostatic sensitive
devices according to international standard IEC 747-1, Chapter IX or European standard EN 100015 (i.e. the
workplace, tool, operating environment, etc. must comply with these standards). Failure to comply may lead to the
product becoming damaged.
Technical Support
For technical support please visit www.amantys.com.
For IGBT module data refer to the manufacturer’s data sheet.
For Amantys Power Drive / IGBT module specific data, please visit www.amantys.com/docs.
Quality Control
The gate drive is manufactured according to ISO9001:2000 quality standards.
Product Customisation
Contact Amantys Ltd to discuss any product customisation requirements.
Legal Disclaimer
This document describes devices but cannot promise to deliver any specific characteristics. No warranty or
guarantee is given - either expressly or implicitly - regarding delivery, performance or suitability.
Amantys Limited reserves the right to make modifications to its technical data and product specifications at any
time and without prior notice. The general terms and conditions of delivery of Amantys Limited apply.
Amantys Power Drive™, Amantys Power Insight™, and Amantys® are trademarks of Amantys Limited.
Revision Table
Version
01
02
Comments
First issue
Eng. update
Page 2 of 12
AMA_AN33AA1_UM_02_14
Approver
Mark Snook
Robin Lyle
PRELIMINARY
Release Date
May 2012
January 2014
© Amantys Ltd
SP000005 v02g
3300V Amantys Power Drive
Technical Manual
www.amantys.com
Contents
Overview
Installation
Technical Description
Input / Output Interface
Control Logic
IGBT Protection Features
Gate Drive Circuit
Voltage Isolation
Gate Drive Protection Features
3
4
7
8
9
9
11
12
12
The 3300V Amantys Power Drive is a compact, high performance, single channel gate drive
for high-power IGBT modules. It drives all leading manufacturer’s modules and fits within the
footprint of the 140x190mm package popular in high power converters.
This document describes how to install and connect the gate drive module. The document
also provides a high-level technical description.
Overview
The Amantys Power Drive is a single circuit board that is
designed to control 3300V IGBT modules with current ratings
of 1200A and 1500A. The gate drive features a fibre-optic
interface, an integrated DC/DC power supply, gate drive
circuits and protection circuits. The Amantys Power Drive is
constructed from commercially available, off-the-shelf
components.
The gate drive fits within the footprint of the IGBT module,
eliminating the need for external mechanical protection.
The 3300V Amantys Power Drive is one of a family of IGBT gate drives with various voltage
and current ratings. Members of the family can be customised for specific customer
requirements,
© Amantys Ltd
SP000005 v02g
PRELIMINARY
Page 3 of 12
AMA_AN33AA1_UM_02_14
3300V Amantys Power Drive
Technical Manual
www.amantys.com
Installation
Installation of the Amantys Power Drive module is a two-stage process:


Mount the gate drive on the chosen IGBT module
Make the control and DC power connections
WARNING: High voltage equipment - For use by trained personnel only.
Failure to observe electrical shock precautions while the equipment is in
operation may result in personal injury, electrical shock damage to, or destruction
of components of this equipment.
WARNING: The gate drive includes a current source which delivers approximately 3mA into
the collector of the IGBT module for desaturation protection purposes. This
current is generated from an 80V voltage source. Care should be taken when the
gate drive is powered, but not switching, as any DC link capacitors may be slowly
charged. Care should also be taken when handling a powered gate drive as 80V
is present on the board.
CAUTION: When handling the gate drive and the IGBT module, observe all electro-static
precautions. If these precautions are not taken, permanent damage to the
components may result.
NOTE: Refer to the 3300V Amantys Power Drive Data Sheet (SP000003) for specifications
and characteristics.
Page 4 of 12
AMA_AN33AA1_UM_02_14
PRELIMINARY
© Amantys Ltd
SP000005 v02g
3300V Amantys Power Drive
Technical Manual
www.amantys.com
Use the following procedure to install the gate drive onto the IGBT module:

Attach the gate drive board to the IGBT module using three screws.
Part Description: Socket Head, Cap Screw, M4 x 8, Stainless Steel; M4 spring
washers
Check the IGBT technical information; a torque value for the fixing screws may be
recommended. If no value is recommended, use 2.0 N-m maximum.
© Amantys Ltd
SP000005 v02g
PRELIMINARY
Page 5 of 12
AMA_AN33AA1_UM_02_14
3300V Amantys Power Drive
Technical Manual
www.amantys.com


Connect the 15V DC power supply.
Part Description (fitted): Connector: ERNI 214012, 4 pin, male, 1.27 mm pitch
(Not shown on image above)
Description
Voltage
Pins
Zero volts
Supply Voltage
0V
VDC
1 and 4
2 and 3
Connect the fibre-optic control cables.
Part Description (fitted): Fibre-optic receiver, Avago, HFBR-2522ETZ
Fibre-optic transmitter, Avago, HFBR-1522ETZ
The gate drive is now ready to be put into service.
Page 6 of 12
AMA_AN33AA1_UM_02_14
PRELIMINARY
© Amantys Ltd
SP000005 v02g
3300V Amantys Power Drive
Technical Manual
www.amantys.com
Technical Description
NOTE: Refer to the 3300V Amantys Power Drive Data Sheet (SP000003) for specifications
and characteristics.
The gate drive is used to control high-power and high-voltage IGBT modules. The gate drive is
fully equipped with safety and protection features, including short circuit protection
(desaturation detection), over-voltage and supply under-voltage protection.
A block diagram of the gate drive is shown below. The major functional blocks are described
in the remainder of this section.
Gate Drive Block Diagram
© Amantys Ltd
SP000005 v02g
PRELIMINARY
Page 7 of 12
AMA_AN33AA1_UM_02_14
3300V Amantys Power Drive
Technical Manual
www.amantys.com
Input / Output Interface
In normal operation, under non-fault conditions, the state of the gate is controlled by the input
(or receive) optical fibre connection. If light is received at the fibre-optic input, the IGBT will be
ON. Conversely, if the light is off, the IGBT will be OFF. A change in state must last for at least
400ns before it will be acted on and acknowledged. Changes in state lasting less than 400ns
are ignored.
When a change in the receive state is detected an acknowledge signal is sent via the output
(or transmit) optical fibre connection. The transmit light will normally be on; the acknowledge
signal is an off pulse (typically 600ns wide) delivered typically 600ns after the change in
receive state is detected.
Control Timing Diagram
The output connection is also used to signal a fault with the IGBT or the gate drive. When a
fault occurs, the output light is turned off for the duration of the fault. Indicated faults include:



Short circuit in the IGBT or associated power circuits
Gate drive supply undervoltage
No connection between gate drive and IGBT
Page 8 of 12
AMA_AN33AA1_UM_02_14
PRELIMINARY
© Amantys Ltd
SP000005 v02g
3300V Amantys Power Drive
Technical Manual
www.amantys.com
Control Logic
The control logic coordinates the operation of the gate drive including the interfaces, IGBT
drive circuit, protection features, and event timings.
Configuration
The gate drive is factory configured for the specific IGBT type with which it is to be used. The
configuration of the gate resistances that are used to optimise the switching performance of
the IGBT is implemented through the control logic configuration. The clamping voltage of the
VCE clamp is configured in hardware; see VCE Clamp, page 10.
IGBT Protection Features
Gate Drive Supply Undervoltage Protection
Under-voltage protection of the gate drive is provided to prevent operation of the IGBT at low
input voltage and protect the IGBT module from damage due to high on-state losses resulting
from low gate voltage. If the driver supply voltage, normally +15V, ±0.5V, drops below 12.9V,
the IGBT will be turned off, the gate driver disabled and a fault is indicated via the fibre-optic
output to the central controller. The IGBT will remain off until the supply voltage exceeds
13.5V.
Gate Drive Voltage Monitor
The voltages generated by the DC/DC converter are constantly monitored. If any of the
voltages fall below their preset thresholds, an error will be raised and the IGBT will be
switched off.
IGBT Short Circuit Protection
Short circuit protection of the IGBT is achieved by monitoring the IGBT for desaturation. The
collector-emitter voltage (VCE) is monitored at switch-on and during the on time. If a shortcircuit (desaturation) is detected, an error is signalled on the output (transmit) fibre-optic.
The conditions for the detection of the IGBT module desaturation are as follows. At switch on,
VCE is checked after 8.5µs. If the Vce voltage has not fallen below 59V an error (type 1 short
circuit) is flagged by the control logic. If VCE rises above 59V during the on period, a
desaturation event will be detected (type 2 short circuit).
NOTE. Short circuit types Type 1: The IGBT turns on into an existing short circuit.
Type 2: The short circuit occurs while the IGBT is turned on
Two-Level Mode: The response to a desaturation event depends on the configuration in the
control logic. In a 2-level configuration (for use in 2-level converters), the IGBT will be turned
off automatically by the gate driver and a fault signal indicated on the output optical fibre. The
IGBT gate will be held low (at -15V) and switching will be inhibited for one second following a
desaturation event to allow the IGBT chip temperatures to stabilise and protect the IGBT. The
on time of the IGBT in a short circuit will be limited to less than 10µs. See the following figure
for typical short circuit event waveforms.
© Amantys Ltd
SP000005 v02g
PRELIMINARY
Page 9 of 12
AMA_AN33AA1_UM_02_14
3300V Amantys Power Drive
Technical Manual
www.amantys.com
Two-Level Mode Type 1 Short Circuit Waveforms and Timing Diagram
Three-Level and Multilevel Modes: In three-level mode, for use in three level and multilevel
converters, turning each IGBT on and off is the responsibility of a central controller;
communication with the controller is via the receive and transmit fibre-optic links.
If a desaturation is detected, the control logic will signal an error on the output fibre-optic
(transmit) by turning the transmitter off. The state of the IGBT will not be changed by the driver
until commanded to do so, on the input fibre-optic (receive) by the central controller.
VCE Clamp
VCE overshoots are controlled by the VCE clamp,
which protects the IGBT from seeing an
overvoltage at its terminals. The voltage clamp will
begin to operate if VCE exceeds 2.3kV and will limit
VCE to a maximum of 2.8kV.
At turn-off, when the IGBT is switching, the dICE/dt
(the rate of change of current over time) through
the stray inductances in the circuit may cause a
transient voltage overshoot across the IGBT
collector - emitter terminals. The overshoot can
cause damage to the IGBT if it exceeds the IGBT
maximum collector to emitter voltage rating,
VCE(max).
Page 10 of 12
AMA_AN33AA1_UM_02_14
PRELIMINARY
© Amantys Ltd
SP000005 v02g
3300V Amantys Power Drive
Technical Manual
www.amantys.com
The VCE clamp works by softening the
IGBT turn-off by keeping VCE, and hence
the IGBT, in its active region
momentarily, in order to control the di/dt
slope and limit the overshoot voltage.
When the overshoot voltage decays the
IGBT continues to turn off normally.
The VCE clamp is a protection feature to
prevent damage to the IGBT in the case
of turn-off from very high collector-emitter
current (ICE) or turn-off with a very high
DC link voltage.
CAUTION: If the gate drive VCE clamp
operates on every cycle,
damage to the clamp circuit
may occur due to the
repetitive activity.
VGE Clamp
A Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS)
between the gate and emitter protects
the gate and prevents VGE rising above
20V.
Gate-Emitter Clamp
The Gate-Emitter clamp connects the gate and emitter through a low impedance path when
the gate drive is unpowered or if a fault occurs in the gate drive circuit. This holds the IGBT off
when the gate drive is unpowered and provides resilience to transients that could cause a
spurious turn-on of the IGBT.
Gate Drive Circuit
The IGBT is driven through a combination of resistors determined
by the factory set configuration of the control logic which is tailored
to drive the matching IGBT in an optimal manner. The gate drive
circuit drives the gate between -15V and a regulated +15V.
© Amantys Ltd
SP000005 v02g
PRELIMINARY
Page 11 of 12
AMA_AN33AA1_UM_02_14
3300V Amantys Power Drive
Technical Manual
www.amantys.com
Voltage Isolation
Power for the gate drive is supplied by an on-board DC/DC converter. The input voltage is
+15VDC, ±0.5V. The converter provides galvanic isolation between 15V supply and the onboard voltages, thus preventing any possibility of damage to the circuits on the supply side of
the gate drive. The gate control signals are similarly isolated by the use of fibre-optic links.
The layout of the gate drive and the positioning of the components and gate terminals ensure
that the creepage and clearance requirements are met; see 3300V Amantys Power Drive Data
Sheet, SP000003, and as specified in the Railway Application Standards IEC 60077 and IEC
61287. The same standards also define this equipment as conforming to Pollution Degree 2
and Overvoltage Category 2.
NOTE. Creepage is the shortest path between two conductive parts measured along the
surface of the insulation.
Clearance is the shortest distance between two conductive parts measured through
air.
Gate Drive Protection Features
Power Supply Overcurrent Protection: If a short circuit in the secondary side of the power
supply occurs, the DC/DC converter will shut down. The DC/DC converter will also shut down
if the polarity of the supply is reversed. A resettable fuse is provided as a safety feature to
protect against a primary side fault. When the fault condition ceases, the fuse will reset and
conduct normally.
Soft Start: A soft start capability protects the gate drive against excessive input current surge
at start-up.
For further information…
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.amantys.com
Tel: +44 (0)1223 652 450
Page 12 of 12
AMA_AN33AA1_UM_02_14
Amantys Limited
Platinum Building
St John’s Innovation Park
Cowley Road
Cambridge, UK
CB4 0WS
PRELIMINARY
© Amantys Ltd
SP000005 v02g