The Direct Benefit of SiC Power Semiconductor Devices for Railway Vehicle Traction Inverters

The only and the direct benefit by the loss reduction on SiC-SBD devices are studied in this paper. The loss of the Si-IGBT and SiC -SBD hybrid module type traction inverter for DC.600V tram car is calculated in this paper. The benefits of mass reduction and less dimensions of cooling system of the inverter are studied, compared with the case of Si-IGBT and Si-diode, and with the case of GTO and Si-diode. The thermal characteristics of the Si-IGBT and SiC -SBD hybrid module inverter are examined by the actual train operation.