Isolated gate driver ICs support up to 8A output current

Power Integrations has unleashed a line of galvanically isolated single-channel gate driver ICs supporting output current from 2.5A to 8A, which the company describes as the industry's highest output current without an external booster. The SCALE-iDriver ICs, enhanced for driving both IGBTs and MOSFETs, are the first products to bring the company's FluxLink magneto-inductive bi-directional communications technology to 1.2kV driver applications.

FluxLink technology eliminates the need for unreliable optoelectronics and the associated compensation circuitry, thereby enhancing operational stability while reducing system complexity. In addition to combining industry-leading isolation technology, the gate drivers incorporate advanced system safety and protection features commonly found in medium- and high-voltage applications, further enhancing product reliability, Power Integrations stated. The innovative eSOP package features 9.5mm of creepage and a CTI of 600, ensuring substantial operating voltage margin and high system reliability.

The SCALE-iDriver single-channel gate driver ICs radically reduce component count for inverters up to 110kW, saving space and BOM cost and increasing design flexibility. With the addition of a simple, low-cost booster stage, it is now far quicker to develop efficient, space-saving, reliable inverter designs rated up to 400kW (15A). The devices meet the IEC 60664-1 and IEC 61800-5-1 standards, and operate from -40°C to 125°C and at frequencies of up to 250kHz. They also feature Power Integrations' Advanced Soft Shut Down (ASSD) mechanism that protects the power semiconductor switch in the event of a short circuit. ASSD is automatically triggered by monitoring desaturation levels and requires no extra components.

SCALE-iDriver ICs suit applications in industrial drives, power supplies and UPS, photovoltaic inverters of all sizes, industrial HVAC, EV charging and traction equipment including commercial EVs. SID1132K (2.5A), SID1152K (5A), SID1182K (8A) devices are available and priced at $2.57 in 10,000-piece quantities. Reference designs RDHP-1608 (2.5A, 5A and 8A versions) and RDHP-1526 (15A) and technical support for SCALE-iDriver ICs are available.