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The IRAMS10UP60A PlugNDrive integrated power module simplifies electronic motor control circuits in home appliances and light industrial applications.

The IRAMS10UP60A PlugNDrive integrated power module simplifies electronic motor control circuits in home appliances and light industrial applications.

The new power module, a product belonging to IR's iMotion family of integrated design platforms, incorporates a three-phase inverter power stage with gate drivers and auxiliary circuitry in a compact, high performance, isolated package.

Appliance manufacturers are increasingly incorporating electronically controlled variable speed motors in their products as a means to reduce energy usage by up to 30%.

Rated at 10A, the new module is designed for 400-750W motor drives found in washing machines, in-room air conditioners and commercial refrigerators.

The new IRAMS10UP60A module uses IR's PlugNDrive integrated power module technology, combining IR's low VCE(on) non-punch-through (NPT) short circuit rated IGBT with a three-phase, high-voltage, high-speed driver IC and over 20 individual parts into a single unit.

The integrated solution has many advantages, including decreasing inventory and logistics costs, reducing circuit board space, simplifying layout and assembly, and increasing overall reliability.

In addition, EMI emissions are minimised due to shorter connection routing optimised component layout and internal shielding technology.

Alberto Guerra, Director, Appliance Business Unit at International Rectifier said, "PlugNDrive integrated power module technology is the ideal solution for variable speed motor applications in appliances, since it is easy to implement, saves design time, decreases system cost and ultimately enables an energy-saving appliance".

Design cycles for appliance variable speed motor projects are drastically reduced, with a few external components and one microcontroller.

The system design is complete in a fraction of time compared to a discrete solution.

Moreover, the open emitter configuration facilitates the implementation of several motor algorithms.

Using the IRAMS10UP60A PlugNDrive module enables multiple-shunt current feedback for a sophisticated vector control loop, with no circuit layout limitation.

Built-in overtemperature/overcurrent protection and integrated undervoltage lockout functions deliver fail-safe operation.

Bootstrap diodes in the high-side driver section combine with the required single-polarity power supply to simplify circuits, and reduce cost.

In addition, the IRAMS10UP60A includes a temperature monitor read-back signal and synchronised shut down function.

The new IRAMS10UP60A is available immediately.

The IRADK10 reference design kit is a complete three-phase motor drive system, using the IRAMS10UP60A, controlled with easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) software and is available through the IR website.

Datasheets for the devices are posted on the IR website.

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