IGBT Total Loss

P = Vce × Ic × D + Esw × f

Quick answer

This calculator solves P_total = V_ce(sat) × I_c × D + E_sw × f_sw for P. With Collector-Emitter Voltage 12 V, Collector Current 2 A, Duty Cycle 50 %, Switching Energy (Eon+Eoff) 100 mJ, Switching Frequency 100 kHz, the result is 10010.

Calculator

Result
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Formula

P_total = V_ce(sat) × I_c × D + E_sw × f_sw

Description

IGBT total power loss consists of conduction loss and switching loss. Unlike MOSFETs, which have a resistive on-state (I²R), IGBTs have a nearly constant saturation voltage Vce(sat) of 1-3 V, making conduction loss proportional to V × I rather than I². Switching loss is characterized by energy per switching event (Eon + Eoff from the datasheet), multiplied by the switching frequency. IGBTs are preferred over MOSFETs for voltages above 400-600 V and frequencies below 20-50 kHz, where their lower conduction loss compensates for their higher switching loss.

Variables

  • V_ce — Collector-emitter saturation voltage (V)
  • I_c — Collector current (A)
  • D — Duty cycle (0 to 1)
  • E_sw — Total switching energy per cycle, Eon + Eoff (J)
  • f — Switching frequency (Hz)

Practical Notes

Vce(sat) increases with temperature (positive temperature coefficient), which aids parallel operation. Switching energy depends on bus voltage, current, gate resistance, and temperature — use datasheet curves at your operating conditions. For sinusoidal modulation (motor drives), average conduction loss = Vce × Ic × (1/(2π) + D/(8)) and requires integration over the fundamental cycle.

Symbols and units

Symbol Meaning Default unit Accepted units
Vce Collector-Emitter Voltage V pV, nV, µV, mV, V, kV
Ic Collector Current A pA, nA, µA, mA, A, kA
D Duty Cycle — —, %
Esw Switching Energy (Eon+Eoff) mJ µJ, mJ, J, kJ, Wh, kWh
f Switching Frequency kHz Hz, kHz, MHz, GHz

Step by step

  1. 1. What you know: Collector-Emitter Voltage 12 V, Collector Current 2 A, Duty Cycle 50 %, Switching Energy (Eon+Eoff) 100 mJ, Switching Frequency 100 kHz
  2. 2. The relation: P_total = V_ce(sat) × I_c × D + E_sw × f_sw
  3. 3. Substitute: Vce = 12 V, Ic = 2 A, D = 50 %, Esw = 100 mJ, f = 100 kHz
  4. 4. Result: P = 10010

Related quantities from the same inputs

  • P = V × I = 24 W

Worked examples

Minimum range

Given: Collector-Emitter Voltage 0.33 V, Collector Current 2 mA, Duty Cycle 2.5 %, Switching Energy (Eon+Eoff) 100 µJ, Switching Frequency 100 Hz

Result: P = 0.01002

Low range

Given: Collector-Emitter Voltage 3.3 V, Collector Current 20 mA, Duty Cycle 25 %, Switching Energy (Eon+Eoff) 1 mJ, Switching Frequency 1 kHz

Result: P = 1.017

Typical

Given: Collector-Emitter Voltage 12 V, Collector Current 2 A, Duty Cycle 50 %, Switching Energy (Eon+Eoff) 100 mJ, Switching Frequency 100 kHz

Result: P = 10010

High range

Given: Collector-Emitter Voltage 0.23 kV, Collector Current 100 A, Duty Cycle 0.8, Switching Energy (Eon+Eoff) 1 J, Switching Frequency 0.5 MHz

Result: P = 518400

Maximum range

Given: Collector-Emitter Voltage 2.3 kV, Collector Current 1 kA, Duty Cycle 8, Switching Energy (Eon+Eoff) 10 J, Switching Frequency 5 MHz

Result: P = 6.84 × 10⁷

How P changes with Collector-Emitter Voltage

Collector-Emitter Voltage (input) P (result)
1.2 V 10000
3 V 10000
6 V 10010
9 V 10010
12 V 10010
18 V 10020
24 V 10020
48 V 10050
84 V 10080
120 V 10120

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Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate IGBT Total Loss?

Use P_total = V_ce(sat) × I_c × D + E_sw × f_sw. With Collector-Emitter Voltage 12 V, Collector Current 2 A, Duty Cycle 50 %, Switching Energy (Eon+Eoff) 100 mJ, Switching Frequency 100 kHz, P works out to 10010.

What is the formula for IGBT Total Loss?

The formula is P_total = V_ce(sat) × I_c × D + E_sw × f_sw. IGBT total power loss consists of conduction loss and switching loss.

Related Concepts

All Semiconductors formulas →
MOSFET Conduction Loss MOSFET Switching Loss BJT Total Dissipation Diode Power Loss Zener Regulation Resistor Transistor Current Gain (β) MOSFET Gate Drive Power IGBT Total Loss

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