Saturday, July 18, 2026
ComponentsPower Semiconductors

VUB116-16NO1: High-Integration IXYS Three-Phase Rectifier with Brake Chopper Technical Guide

VUB116-16NO1 IXYS Three-phase Rectifier with Brake Chopper

High-Integration Power Module: VUB116-16NO1 Technical Overview

The VUB116-16NO1 is a high-performance power semiconductor module combining a three-phase input rectifier bridge and a fast-recovery braking chopper into a single E2-Pack enclosure. By integrating these functions, it serves as a primary front-end solution for power semiconductors in industrial motor control. This module provides a robust 1600V blocking voltage for the rectifier and 1200V for the chopper IGBT, ensuring high reliability in 480V-class AC line applications where voltage transients are frequent.

  • Core Specifications: 1600V Rectifier $V_{RRM}$ | 116A Output Current | 1200V/75A Brake Chopper
  • Key Advantages: Significant reduction in PCB footprint and simplified thermal management through isolated baseplates.
  • Integration Value: Eliminates the need for discrete rectifier and chopper components, reducing parasitic inductance in the DC link.

Download VUB116-16NO1 Official Datasheet (PDF)

Advanced UVP and Thermal Engineering Analysis

The VUB116-16NO1 utilizes Direct Copper Bonding (DCB) technology on an Al2O3 ceramic substrate. This construction provides superior electrical isolation (up to 3600V~) while maintaining high thermal conductivity. For engineers, the 1600V rating of the input bridge is a specific safety margin against grid fluctuations, effectively protecting the internal DC link from overvoltage stress. The integrated NTC thermistor further enhances system safety by allowing real-time monitoring of the baseplate temperature, which is essential for IGBT module reliability.

One of the most critical parameters in the VUB116-16NO1 is its thermal resistance ($R_{thJC}$). You can think of the module’s thermal resistance as the width of an emergency exit; the lower the resistance value, the more efficiently “crowds” of thermal energy can exit the silicon junction toward the heatsink. Without this efficient path, junction temperatures rise rapidly, leading to thermal runaway. The planar passivated chips within this IXYS module ensure that even under high-load conditions, leakage currents remain low, preserving efficiency across the entire operating temperature range.

Optimized Application Scenarios

  • Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs): The VUB116-16NO1 is a standard building block for compact motor drives, providing input rectification and dynamic braking in one package.
  • Servo Drive Systems: High-speed switching capabilities of the braking chopper IGBT ($t_f$ of 30ns) support precision deceleration in robotic applications.
  • Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS): Its robust 116A current rating makes it suitable for high-power charging circuits and DC link maintenance.
  • Solar Inverters: Serves as an efficient rectification stage for auxiliary power systems or grid-tie input conditioning.

Best Match: High-power-density AC motor drives requiring integrated dynamic braking and 1600V line ruggedness.

Key Specifications Parameter Table

Parameter Group Symbol Value (Max/Typ) Unit
Rectifier Bridge $V_{RRM}$ 1600 V
$I_{dAV}$ ($T_C = 100^circ C$) 116 A
Brake Chopper IGBT $V_{CES}$ 1200 V
$I_{C25}$ / $I_{C80}$ 75 / 50 A
$V_{CE(sat)}$ ($I_C = 50A$) 2.3 V
Brake Chopper Diode $I_{F80}$ 22 A
Thermal Characteristics $R_{thJC}$ (IGBT) 0.45 K/W

Engineer FAQ: VUB116-16NO1 Integration

1. How do I calculate the cooling requirements for the VUB116-16NO1?
System designers should use the $R_{thJC}$ values provided in the datasheet (0.45 K/W for the IGBT and 0.28 K/W for the rectifier diodes) in conjunction with the Zth curve. Sum the total power losses from the rectifier and chopper sections to determine the necessary heatsink thermal resistance ($R_{thSA}$) to maintain junction temperatures below $150^circ C$.

2. What are the benefits of the solderable pins in the E2-Pack?
The pins are designed for wave soldering on a PCB, which facilitates rapid automated assembly. The layout ensures high creepage and clearance distances, meeting industrial safety standards for 600V class equipment.

3. Can the braking chopper be used for other purposes?
While optimized for braking, the 1200V/75A IGBT and fast-recovery diode can theoretically be used in chopper or switching configurations, provided the frequency and thermal limits are respected. However, most applications leverage the integration to simplify the front-end of a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD).

The VUB116-16NO1 represents a sophisticated fusion of rectification and braking control, engineered to meet the stringent demands of industrial power conversion. By addressing thermal efficiency and space constraints, it empowers engineers to develop more compact and reliable drive systems.