Passive auxiliary circuit for series connection of a power switch

Abstract

The present invention relates to a passive auxiliary circuit for driving power switches connected in series for much higher rating of a power system. The passive auxiliary circuit for an IGBT power switch connected in series with another, comprises two capacitors, which are connected in series across the IGBT; two resistors dividing a voltage applied across the IGBT, each resistor being connected in parallel with each capacitor; and a diode and a third resistor which are connected in series between a gate terminal of the IGBT and a node connecting the two capacitors, wherein the diode is placed such that its cathode is directed to the gate. This passive auxiliary circuit, whose structure is so simple, is able to distribute a supplied high voltage equally over series-connected IGBTs, to reduce additional power loss remarkably, and to relieve transient overvoltage like as a conventional active gate circuit.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.