Datasheet Question

[ritaismyconscience]

Many datasheets have Ilm (Clamped Inductive Load Current). This number is higher than Icm, which should be the maximum current you can put through the transistor right?

For example, this transistor has an Ilm of 480A but Icm of 360A. Would it be safe to put 480A through the transistor?
https://www.infineon.com/dgdl/irgps4067dpbf.pdf?fileId=5546d462533600a401535656fe252499


Here's what I found on the internet: https://www.infineon.com/dgdl/Infineon-IGBT_Characteristics-AN-v01_00-EN.pdf?fileId=5546d462533600a40153559f8d921224

I still don't understand what Ilm means, is it Icm + reverse current flowing through diode when the transistor switches?

[Mads Barnkob]

Clamped Inductive Load Current (ILM). This rating is described in Section 6 and is important in most hardswitching applications. The test circuit can be found in the data sheet (it has changed over the years) and is the same as the switching loss test circuit. This circuit exposes the IGBT to the peak recovery current of the free-wheeling diode, which adds a significant component to the turn-on losses. This rating guarantees that the device can sustain high voltage and high current simultaneously, i.e. a square switching SOA. The test conditions for ILM are specified in the data sheet. This complements the information supplied by the RBSOA.

It is really not of interest due to softswitching is used in a DRSSTC, it does however tell that this IGBT is a little more rugged than normal parts.

The square SOA is interesting for hardswitching, that the device can be at full voltage and full current when switching, so in softswitching you could properly push it further as its built for higher switching losses.

In almost any other datasheet you will see that the SOA has the corner cut away, so you can have either high voltage and half current or half voltage and high current.