Power Modules Boost Appliance Motor Efficiency

Responding to energy regulations, the CiPoS integrated, intelligent power modules contain nearly all necessary semiconductors and components to control variable-speed motors in consumer appliances such as washing machines and air conditioners. The modules forecast efficiencies as high as 94% and reportedly run 10° cooler than comparable power products. They integrate a three-phase inverter power stage with a silicon-on-insulator gate driver, bootstrap diodes, capacitors, thermal sensor, and auxiliary circuitry in an isolated package, eliminating as many as 23 discrete components. With a basic drive system requiring nine external components and one microcontroller, the modules are ready to use in motor drive systems with power ratings up to 3 kW. Additionally, the modules allegedly exhibit the industry’s lowest junction-to-case resistance. INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES, Milpitas, CA. (866) 951-9519.