Fuse Protection of IGBT Modules against Explosions

The demand for protection of power electronic applications has during the last couple of years increased regarding the high-power IGBT modules. Even with an active protection, a high power IGBT still has a risk of exhibiting a violent rupture in the case of a fault if IGBT Fuses do not protect it. By introducing fuses into the circuit this will increase the circuit inductance and slight increase the over-voltage during the turn-off of the diode and the IGBT. It is therefore vital when using fuses that the added inductance is kept at a minimum. This paper discuss three issues regarding the IGBT Fuse protection. First, the problem of adding inductance of existing High-Speed and new Typower fuses in DC-link circuit is treated, second a short discussion of the protection of the IGBT module is done, and finally, the impact of the high frequency loading on the current carrying capability of the fuses is presented.