DC working voltage extended to 1000V on SMT gate drive transformers

TDK Corporation has substantially extended its EPCOS InsuGate series of SMT gate drive transformers, introducing new variants rated for a DC working voltage of up to 1000V. These components meet the IEC 61558-1/2-16 standard for basic insulation and allow more compact gate driver designs for full-bridge inverter modules, especially in demanding e-mobility and industrial environments. The triple-insulated winding structure, combined with a MnZn ferrite core and optimised coil architecture, provides for robust isolation in high-switching-frequency applications without compromising board space or reliability.

With a footprint of just 13.85mm x 10.5mm x 9.2mm (L x W x H), the new 1kV-rated components decrease PCB floor space demands by approximately 30% compared to conventional single gate drive transformer designs supporting equivalent insulation. They provide a flat inductance profile up to +150C, with a nominal inductance of 75µH and a coupling capacitance of only 4pF, making them a suitable choice for fast-switching IGBT and SiC devices. SPICE models are available upon request.

The series is qualified to AEC-Q200 Rev. E and has undergone extended mechanical vibration testing in line with AQG 324 requirements based on standard Eurocard PCB, demonstrating its resilience in powertrain-mounted modules. With a partial discharge extinction voltage of ≥1.2kV (Vpeak), reinforced insulation voltage capability of 300V (AC), and high voltage test performance at 3kV (AC) for 60 seconds, these new transformers provide a reliable solution for galvanic isolation in next-generation power electronics.

Typical applications include switch-mode power supplies, gate driver circuits, isolated DC-DC converters, and galvanically isolated single-channel IGBT/SiC driver ICs.