Lifetime Extrapolation for IGBT Modules under Realistic Operation Conditions

In this paper a systematic approach is presented for extrapolating the lifetime due to bond wire lift-off in IGBT modules submitted to cyclic loading. Application profiles of the device are considered, as they are usually encountered in real current converters for railway traction systems. The proposed lifetime prediction scheme is based on the principle of the linear accumulation of the fatigue damage and takes into account the redundancy of the bond wires. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.