Testing IGBTs?

[DaveC]

Is there a simple way to static test (ie, without power supply, etc.) an
IGBT?

Google turns up simple diode junction test a la BJT using DMM. Is this an
effective test?

I've got a 3-phase variable speed motor drive that is acting up. IGBTs are at
the top of the list re. failures in these, I hear.

Thanks.

 

[Arfa Daily]

"DaveC" <invalid@invalid.net> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C7314FBC0131D5EEB08A39AF@news.eternal-september.org...

Is there a simple way to static test (ie, without power supply, etc.) an
IGBT?

Google turns up simple diode junction test a la BJT using DMM. Is this an
effective test?

I've got a 3-phase variable speed motor drive that is acting up. IGBTs are
at
the top of the list re. failures in these, I hear.

Thanks.

They're a bit difficult to test without a PSU, except to say that most of
the faulty ones that I've seen have been s/c, so easy to see that with an
ohm meter. You could easily jury rig a 'test bed' with a battery and a
couple of resistors. The data sheet for the device might even show a sample
test fixture for determining the published characteristics.

Arfa

 

[whit3rd]

On Nov 24, 8:54 am, DaveC <inva...@invalid.net> wrote:

Is there a simple way to static test (ie, without power  supply, etc.) an
IGBT?

Google turns up simple diode junction test a la BJT using DMM. Is this an
effective test?

Probably not. It'll catch some internal short and completely-open
failures, but that doesn't cover all the bases. Best would be, of
course,
a curve tracer type tester.

I've got a 3-phase variable speed motor drive that is acting up. IGBTs are at
the top of the list re. failures in these, I hear.

Check connections, unplug motor, and wire a light bulb (or pair in
series)
on each phase and look to see if they all light brightly. The motor,
if
connected, will just complicate the diagnosis.