The CAR600M12HN6 device is one of the latest offerings from Wolfspeed’s HM power module platform family, which are designed to provide the benefits of Silicon Carbide (SiC) – namely increased system efficiency due to low switching and conduction losses – in power-density-sensitive applications while maintaining the baseplate compatibility of a 62 mm module. All devices in this family are a perfect fit for demanding applications such as industrial test equipment, medical power supplies, aerospace, and traction drives.
The CAR600M12HN6 itself is rated at 1200 V, 600 A, and the platform’s silicon carbide optimised packaging enables 175°C continuous junction operation; a high-reliability silicon nitride (Si3N4) power substrate ensures mechanical robustness under extreme conditions with a lightweight AlSiC baseplate. The CAR600M12HN6 comes from Wolfspeed’s sixth generation of half-bridge rectifiers using Schottky diodes and exhibits zero reverse recovery current and zero forward recovery voltage. Its absolute maximum ratings are staggering, capable of handling continuous forward current of 908 A or a pulse at 1200 A (at 25°C). The temperature-independent switching behaviour present in other devices in the family remains, as do the compact and lightweight form factor and reduced thermal requirements and system costs enabled by the SiC technology. There is even an integrated NTC thermistor for temperature monitoring during operation; users will need to provide their own systems in order to turn this change in resistance into a useful data stream, but the curve is provided in the data sheet for the complete -40°C to +175°C operating temperature of the device, so this should be relatively straightforward.
There is not much to say on the evaluation platform front. Wolfspeed provides a nice board that you can plug the device into, and away you go, but there’s almost no information on the product page, and it even seems to be out of stock at the time of this writing; that’s only from distributors, so this might be a glitch due to the device being relatively new. I am sure if you were looking to evaluate this technology, there would be a way of getting hold of all the gear to do so, so if the CAR600M12HN6 seems like the fit for your application, go ahead and fill out a form! There’s also the CAR600M17HN6 device rated at 1700 V, 600 A, if 1200 V is insufficient, and as always, if you like the look of another Wolfspeed SiC or GaN product, feel free to apply for it using the user-defined form, and we’ll do our best to source it.
Keep designing!
(Image sourced from Wolfspeed)
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