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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No.2811
Mitsubishi Electric to Launch Railcar Traction Inverter with All-SiC Power Module
3.3kV, 1,500A inverter suitable for high power trains
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TOKYO, December 25, 2013 - Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that it has launched a railcar traction inverter system for 1,500V DC catenaries that incorporates the world's first all-silicon carbide (SiC) power modules made with SiC transistors and SiC diodes. The all-SiC inverter greatly reduces power loss, size and weight compared to conventional insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) power modules and hybrid power modules made with Si transistors and SiC diodes.
Mitsubishi Electric's large-capacity, all-SiC power modules are expected to help save power as well as lower the size and weight of equipment used in high power trains including Japan's Shinkansen.
Mitsubishi Electric's large-capacity, all-SiC power modules are expected to help save power as well as lower the size and weight of equipment used in high power trains including Japan's Shinkansen.
Railcar traction inverter with all-SiC power modules
SiC application range
The new traction inverter system's switching loss is approximately 55% less than Mitsubishi Electric's conventional inverter system incorporating IGBT power modules. The new system also increases regenerated energy through the use of regenerative brakes in all speed ranges. Thanks to these solutions, total energy consumption of railcar systems, including their motors, is reduced by about 30% compared to conventional systems.
Size and weight are reduced by about 65% compared to conventional inverter systems with IGBT power modules and about 30% compared to existing hybrid inverter systems with SiC diodes.
Size and weight are reduced by about 65% compared to conventional inverter systems with IGBT power modules and about 30% compared to existing hybrid inverter systems with SiC diodes.
The number of components is reduced by integrating SiC transistors and diodes into one package per inverter circuit phase.
Energy saving in total railway systems is further enhanced by effectively transferring regenerated electric power from the railcar to stations to be equipped with Station energy-saving inverters (S-EIV).
Main specifications of new traction inverter system
Input voltage: 1,500V DC
Main circuit system: Two-level PWM inverter with regenerative brakes
Control system: Four traction motors with 180kW, parallel control
Cooling system: Self-cooling
Background
The dielectric strength voltage of SiC is about 10 times greater than that of Si. SiC devices can operate at higher temperatures than Si devices because of the high breakdown voltage and low conduction loss of thinner semiconductors. Unlike the ongoing development of SiC diodes, development of SiC transistors has proven difficult due to problems with crystal preparation, which requires highly advanced insulation and package technologies capable of withstanding high temperatures. Mitsubishi Electric's R&D and production units combined their respective expertise in semiconductor development and manufacturing to successfully develop the new large-capacity, all-SiC power module with MOS-FET for use in the world's first all-SiC railcar traction inverter. Development of SiC power modules has been partially supported by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
Mitsubishi Electric's previous record of SiC inverter development
In October 2011, Mitsubishi Electric produced a railcar traction inverter for 600V DC, 750V catenaries incorporating the world's first large-capacity hybrid SiC power modules. With help from Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd., the system was field-tested in commercial railcars operating on its Ginza Line subway, demonstrating 38.6% energy reduction comparing to conventional inverters in other railcars operating on the same line.
Main specifications of new traction inverter system
Input voltage: 1,500V DC
Main circuit system: Two-level PWM inverter with regenerative brakes
Control system: Four traction motors with 180kW, parallel control
Cooling system: Self-cooling
Background
The dielectric strength voltage of SiC is about 10 times greater than that of Si. SiC devices can operate at higher temperatures than Si devices because of the high breakdown voltage and low conduction loss of thinner semiconductors. Unlike the ongoing development of SiC diodes, development of SiC transistors has proven difficult due to problems with crystal preparation, which requires highly advanced insulation and package technologies capable of withstanding high temperatures. Mitsubishi Electric's R&D and production units combined their respective expertise in semiconductor development and manufacturing to successfully develop the new large-capacity, all-SiC power module with MOS-FET for use in the world's first all-SiC railcar traction inverter. Development of SiC power modules has been partially supported by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
Mitsubishi Electric's previous record of SiC inverter development
In October 2011, Mitsubishi Electric produced a railcar traction inverter for 600V DC, 750V catenaries incorporating the world's first large-capacity hybrid SiC power modules. With help from Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd., the system was field-tested in commercial railcars operating on its Ginza Line subway, demonstrating 38.6% energy reduction comparing to conventional inverters in other railcars operating on the same line.
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