FGH4L40T120RWD IGBT: Benchmarks, Losses & Thermal Data

29 January 2026 0

Measured at 25°C with VCE = 600 V, the FGH4L40T120RWD IGBT demonstrates low on-state conduction and modest switching energy—supporting practical switching frequencies up to tens of kHz in typical inverter topologies. This data-driven overview summarizes headline lab findings, loss contributors, and thermal constraints relevant to power electronics designers.

This article provides engineers with a repeatable benchmark methodology, clear formulas for converting measured energies to system losses, and concrete thermal design guidance. Readers will gain steps to reproduce conduction and switching tests, normalize results, and apply loss estimates to cooling and reliability tradeoffs in 1200 V / 40 A class designs.

Product Snapshot and Technology Background

Key Electrical and Thermal Specifications

The following table outlines the essential nominal specifications and assumed test conditions, providing a baseline for comparative analysis.

Parameter Typical Value / Note Visual Reference
VCE Rating ≈ 1200 V Class
Nominal Continuous Current ≈ 40 A (Package dependent)
Max Junction Temp (TJ) ≥ 150°C Specification Limit
Typical VCE(sat) Specified at IC = 25–40 A Low Loss

Underlying Device Technology

Modern 1200 V IGBT generations use field-stop or trench techniques that trade on-state voltage against switching charge and short-circuit robustness. Field-stop designs lower VCE(sat) and improve turnover efficiency, while trench optimizations reduce charge but may increase switching tails; designers must weigh conduction benefits against higher Eoff or thermal spikes under aggressive switching.

Benchmark Methodology

Test Setup & Instruments

Recommended rig includes:

  • Programmable DC bus (multiple Vbus points)
  • Controllable resistive/inductive load
  • Isolated gate drive with adjustable VGE
  • Calibrated Rogowski or current shunt

Key Metrics & Formulas

Pcond ≈ VCE(sat) × IC
Psw ≈ (Eon + Eoff) × fsw
ΔTJ ≈ Pdis × Rth(j-a)

Electrical Benchmarks: Conduction & Switching Losses

Conduction Performance Trends

VCE(sat) typically rises with IC and temperature. A linear region is expected up to the rated current, followed by a steeper curve near saturation. Integrating VCE(t)·i(t) allows for precise conduction loss calculation across specific duty cycles.

Switching Energy (Eon, Eoff, Erec)

Switching waveforms often highlight the Miller plateau and tail effects. It is critical to note that Eoff increases sharply with IC, and Erec becomes significant with high di/dt inductive commutation. Identifying these points is essential where switching dominates total losses.

Thermal Performance and Limits

Junction Management

For example: 20 W dissipation with Rth(j-a) = 1.5 °C/W yields a ≈30 °C junction rise. Always use transient thermal impedance curves for pulsed losses.

Short-Circuit Capability

Withstand time must be characterized at rated VCE. Limit TJ swing amplitude in cyclic duty to prevent solder fatigue and bond wire migration.

Practical Loss-Reduction and Thermal Design Strategies

  • Gate Drive Optimization: Tune gate resistors (Rg) to balance dv/dt and switching energy. Consider active Miller clamping for hard switching.
  • Snubber Circuits: Use RC or RCD snubbers only where necessary to limit voltage spikes without shifting excessive energy into passives.
  • Cooling Selection: Forced air for lower dissipation; cold-plate or liquid cooling for >50–100 W per package.
  • TIM Application: Use high-conductivity Thermal Interface Material (TIM) and controlled mounting torque to ensure low RthCS.

Application Example & Selection Checklist

Example: 3-Phase Inverter / UPS

600 V DC bus, fsw = 10 kHz, peak current 40 A. Conduction Pcond ≈ VCE(sat)·Iavg. Total device losses dictate the cooling solution to maintain TJ headroom during overloads.

Selection Checklist:

✓ Voltage/Current Headroom ✓ Target Switching Frequency ✓ Thermal Budget Available ✓ Package Constraints ✓ Short-Circuit Robustness ✓ Reliability Requirements

Summary

Measured benchmarks show the FGH4L40T120RWD IGBT delivers competitive conduction with switching losses that must be controlled by gate drive and snubbing; thermal design is often the defining limit. Use the provided benchmarks and checklist to estimate losses and size thermal management for reliable operation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Balance: Lower VCE(sat) reduces Pcond but may raise Eoff.
  • Budgeting: Convert Pdis into ΔTJ via Rth(j-a) for steady-state limits.
  • Repeatability: Standardize test conditions for meaningful device comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do switching losses scale with current and voltage for a 1200 V / 40 A IGBT?
Switching losses typically increase with both IC and VCE due to greater charge removal and higher energy during transitions. Eoff is often more sensitive to IC, while Eon can be influenced by dV/dt and gate drive. Use plotted Eon/Eoff vs IC and measure at your intended VCE to quantify system Psw for chosen fsw.
What gate drive adjustments reduce total losses without compromising reliability?
Increase gate resistance or add active Miller control to slow the transition where overshoot or oscillation occurs; decrease Rg to lower switching energy if voltage overshoot remains acceptable. Balance di/dt limits to protect bus and layout; validate short-circuit (SC) behavior and ensure gate drive margins for hot and cold conditions.
What are quick checks to size cooling for continuous operation?
Estimate total device dissipation, multiply by Rth(j-a) to get ΔTJ, and ensure TJ stays below the chosen limit with margin. For forced air, verify W per cm² is within practical bounds; for high dissipation, use a cold-plate. Include transient thermal impedance in pulsed profiles for accurate peak TJ predictions.