PM100CLA120 Mitsubishi 1200V 100A Intelligent Power Module (IPM)

Content last revised on November 26, 2025

PM100CLA120: An Integrated Power Solution for High-Reliability Motor Control

Achieving System Simplification and Robustness in Industrial Drives

The PM100CLA120 is an L-Series Intelligent Power Module (IPM) from Mitsubishi, engineered to streamline the design and enhance the operational reliability of three-phase inverter systems. It integrates crucial power stages and protection circuits into a single, compact package, offering key specifications of 1200V and 100A. Core engineering benefits include a significant reduction in external component count and built-in protection against common failure modes. This IPM directly addresses the challenge of developing robust and space-efficient motor drives by embedding gate drive and protection logic, which simplifies PCB layout and accelerates time-to-market. For industrial motor drives where dependable operation under fault conditions is paramount, the PM100CLA120's integrated architecture provides a decisive advantage over discrete component solutions.

Application Scenarios & Value

System-Level Benefits in Variable Frequency Drives and Servo Systems

The PM100CLA120 is engineered for deployment in demanding industrial power conversion applications where reliability and integration are key decision criteria. For a design engineer developing a compact Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) for industrial automation, the primary challenge is often achieving robust performance within a constrained physical footprint. The PM100CLA120 directly addresses this by consolidating the three-phase IGBT inverter bridge, gate drivers, and critical protection circuits—including short-circuit, over-temperature, and under-voltage lockout—into a single module. This integration not only reduces the PCB area but also minimizes parasitic inductance and simplifies the gate drive power architecture, leading to more predictable and reliable switching performance. In applications like industrial conveyors, pumps, and general-purpose Servo Drive systems, this module's built-in fault detection and status indication capabilities provide a crucial layer of system-level safety, preventing catastrophic failures and reducing downtime. While this model is well-suited for applications up to approximately 22kW, systems requiring higher power density may consider the PM150CVA120-2, which offers a higher current rating in a similar integrated package.

Key Parameter Overview

Decoding the Specs for Integrated Power Design

The technical specifications of the PM100CLA120 are tailored for high-performance inverter applications. The parameters below highlight its capacity for robust power handling and the extensive integration that simplifies system design. The functional grouping separates the high-power inverter characteristics from the integrated control and protection features.

Download the PM100CLA120 datasheet for detailed specifications and performance curves.

Technical Deep Dive

A Closer Look at the Integrated Protection Architecture

A defining feature of the PM100CLA120 is its comprehensive suite of built-in protection circuits. These are not merely add-ons but are monolithically integrated with the gate drive logic, enabling faster and more reliable responses than typical external monitoring circuits. The Short-Circuit (SC) protection, for instance, actively monitors the collector current and initiates a soft shutdown if it exceeds a predefined threshold, preventing the catastrophic failure of the IGBT chips during events like a motor phase-to-phase short. Think of this integrated protection as being akin to a vehicle's modern electronic stability control system; it senses dangerous conditions and intervenes at the component level in microseconds, long before a central "system brain" could react. This rapid, localized response is critical for preserving the module's integrity and ensuring the long-term reliability of the entire drive system, a key consideration covered in resources on IGBT Paralleling and reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the primary integrated protection features of the PM100CLA120?
The module includes monolithic detection, protection, and status indication circuits for short-circuit (SC), over-temperature (OT), and control supply under-voltage (UV) conditions. A fault output signal (Fo) is provided to alert the system controller when any of these protections are triggered.

How does the single power supply for the drive circuit simplify system design?
The PM100CLA120 is designed so that the internal gate drivers for both the upper and lower arms of the inverter can be powered from a single isolated 15V power supply. This eliminates the need for multiple independent power sources and associated bootstrap circuits for the high-side drivers, significantly reducing component count, PCB complexity, and potential points of failure in the power supply architecture.

What is the function of the fault output (Fo) pin?
The fault output pin is an open-collector output that signals a fault condition to the host microcontroller. It becomes active (goes to a low state) when an over-current, short-circuit, over-temperature, or supply under-voltage event is detected by the module's internal logic. This allows the system to safely shut down or take corrective action.

For engineers seeking to optimize their next motor control design, the PM100CLA120 offers a compelling combination of performance and integration. To further evaluate its suitability for your specific application, please consult the detailed datasheet or contact our technical support team for assistance.