Kelvin Source connection for High Current IGBTs. A way to get high energy efficiency

Nowadays energy efficiency has become a must in all applications. This is translated into the request for high performance power devices by the system manufacturers. The Semiconductor industry is investing a huge amount of resources in the research and development to compensate this demand. In the last two decades the main focus of the R&D was the silicon, while now also packaging is one of the hot topics in power electronics. In this paper the new four-lead TO-247 package for the Field stop II IGBT will be introduced. The advantage of the kelvin connection will be validated against the common TO-247 package in a 4kW two-switch forward converter prototype.