Switching Performance of a 3.3-kV SiC Hybrid Power Module for Railcar Converters

The unique properties of a SiC hybrid 3.3-kV/450-A half-bridge IGBT power module which is designed for enhanced reliability of railcar converters are presented in this paper. The hybrid technique enabled by utilizing the state-of-the-art 3.3-kV SiC SBDs has shown impressive electrical performances during switching. The switching waveforms, switching time lengths, voltage overshooting, current overshooting and information contained therein have been exploited in detail, in comparison with the corresponding fully Si-based IGBT module as a control sample. The potential of reliability enhancement by this SiC hybrid concept at the rated voltage and current levels will provide essential benchmark for railcar converter designs.