EVK71-060D: Integrated IGBT Driver Unit for Reliable Power System Design
An Engineering-Focused Overview
Content last revised on October 18, 2025.
The EVK71-060D is an inverter driver unit engineered to accelerate system development by providing a fully integrated gate drive and protection solution for 600V IGBTs. This unit combines critical functions onto a single board, featuring key specifications such as direct compatibility with Fuji Electric's 600V V-Series IGBTs, a comprehensive protection suite including OCP, SCP, and UVP, and an integrated isolated power supply. The primary engineering benefits are a significantly simplified system design and enhanced operational reliability. By integrating the gate drive power supply and protection circuits, it eliminates the need for numerous external components and complex layout considerations. For designers seeking to accelerate time-to-market for industrial motor drives using Fuji V-Series IGBTs, the EVK71-060D provides a pre-validated, all-in-one driver solution.
Application Scenarios & Value
Streamlining Development of Industrial Motor Drives and Power Converters
The EVK71-060D is specifically tailored for power conversion systems where development speed and long-term reliability are critical decision factors. Its primary application is in driving 6-in-1 IGBT modules within systems like Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), servo drives, and small-scale industrial inverters. What is the primary benefit of the EVK71-060D? It accelerates development by integrating the driver, protection logic, and power supply into one validated unit.
Consider the challenge of implementing robust fault handling in a VFD for a conveyor belt system. A motor stall or output short-circuit can cause catastrophic IGBT failure within microseconds. The EVK71-060D directly solves this by incorporating dedicated Short-Circuit Protection (SCP). This circuit continuously monitors the IGBT's on-state voltage; if a fault condition is detected, it initiates a safe, immediate shutdown of all outputs and asserts an alarm signal (ALM). This built-in intelligence offloads complex protection design from the main system controller, reducing component count and simplifying safety compliance. While the EVK71-060D is optimized for 600V applications, systems requiring higher voltage blocking, such as those using 1200V IGBTs, may utilize drivers like the SKHI 24 R.
Key Parameter Overview
Decoding the Specs for System Integration
The technical specifications of the EVK71-060D are focused on providing a complete, ready-to-use driver solution. The parameters are functionally grouped to highlight its integration capabilities and protective features.
| Parameter Group | Specification | Value / Condition | Engineering Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicable IGBT Modules | Series | Fuji V-Series 600V (6MBI type) | Ensures optimized gate drive characteristics and mechanical compatibility. |
| Current Class | 15A to 150A class | Covers a wide range of low-to-mid power industrial applications. | |
| Power Supply | Control Supply Voltage (Vcc) | 15V ±10% | Standard logic-level supply voltage for industrial controls. |
| Internal Power Supply | Integrated, Isolated DC/DC Converter | Eliminates the need for external isolated power supplies for gate drive, reducing BOM cost and board space. | |
| Protection Features | Over-Current Protection (OCP) / Short-Circuit Protection (SCP) | Detection via Vce(sat) monitoring, all arms off | Provides rapid, reliable protection against destructive fault currents. |
| Control Supply Under-Voltage (UVP) | All arms off, alarm output | Prevents insufficient gate voltage, which can lead to IGBT overheating and failure. | |
| Fault Output | ALM Signal (Open Collector Output) | Provides clear fault feedback to the system microcontroller for intelligent error handling. | |
| Control Interface | Input Logic | Active High, CMOS compatible (5V) | Allows for direct connection to standard microcontrollers and DSPs. |
| PWM Input Frequency | ≤ 20 kHz | Suitable for the vast majority of motor control and power conversion applications. |
Download the EVK71-060D instruction manual for detailed specifications and application notes.
Technical Deep Dive
A Closer Look at the Integrated Architecture for Enhanced System Reliability
The design philosophy of the EVK71-060D extends beyond mere convenience; its integrated architecture is a strategic choice for enhancing system-level reliability. The method of short-circuit protection, which relies on monitoring the collector-emitter saturation voltage (Vce(sat)), is a key example. This technique provides extremely fast and direct detection of a fault. It acts like a dedicated watchdog circuit for each IGBT, constantly monitoring its on-state voltage. An abnormal spike, indicative of a massive short-circuit current, triggers an immediate shutdown command, protecting the expensive IGBT Module before catastrophic failure can occur.
Furthermore, the value of a factory-matched driver cannot be overstated. The layout, trace impedances, and gate resistor values on the EVK71-060D are pre-optimized by Fuji Electric for their V-Series IGBTs. This is analogous to purchasing a high-performance engine that includes a perfectly tuned transmission from the factory, rather than attempting to pair them yourself. This synergy eliminates the extensive trial-and-error process often required to suppress gate voltage ringing and ensure clean, efficient switching, which is one of the core tenets of robust IGBT gate drive design.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What specific Fuji IGBT modules is the EVK71-060D designed to drive?
The EVK71-060D is specifically engineered and optimized for Fuji Electric's 600V V-Series 6-in-1 IGBT modules. It is compatible with current classes ranging from 15A to 150A, covering a significant portion of the low-to-mid-power industrial drive market.
How does the integrated isolated power supply on the EVK71-060D simplify system design?
It eliminates the need for external, bulky, and often costly isolated DC/DC converters to power the high-side and low-side gate drivers. This reduces the bill of materials (BOM), shrinks the required PCB area, simplifies the power supply architecture, and removes a common source of system noise.
What is the function of the ALM (Alarm) signal, and how should it be used in a control system?
The ALM signal is an open-collector fault output that becomes active (low) when any of the protection functions (OCP, SCP, or UVP) are triggered. It should be connected to an interrupt pin on the host microcontroller. This allows the system to immediately halt all Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals and execute a safe shutdown procedure, log the fault type, and display a system error, preventing further damage and aiding in diagnostics.
For your next power conversion project requiring rapid development and assured reliability, the EVK71-060D provides a clear path to market. By expertly handling the complexities of the Gate Drive and protection, it empowers engineering teams to focus on system-level innovation and application-specific features.
