Integrated active snubber for high power IGBT modules

This paper presents an integrated active snubber (IASM) to be used with IGBT modules in power converters, applied in utility devices. The IASM is a compound component, consisting of all active and passive components necessary to change a hard switched converter into a soft switching converter, i.e. the auxiliary resonant commutated pole (ARCP) converter. The IASM mounts directly onto standard IGBT modules. Although the IASM does not provide perfect soft switching, the switching losses are reduced such that IGBTs can be used at their maximum current and voltage ratings and frequencies of up to 15 kHz, with reduced EMI.