LEIDEN, Netherlands and CHIPPENHAM, United Kingdom, Nov. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IXYS Corporation (NASDAQ:IXYS) an international power and IC semiconductor company, today announced the launch of a new very high current 6kV rectifier diode with an average current rating up to 6395 ampere (A), at a heat sink temperature of 55 degrees Celsius. The new device is IXYS’ highest current rated rectifier diode in this voltage class and is believed to be the highest current rating available today on the open market, breaking new ground in power handling capacity.

The new 6kV device comes in a fully hermetic package with an 85mm electrode diameter and overall diameter of 124mm. The device is available in two package thickness options of 26mm and 35mm thick, with respective RMS current ratings of 11.77 kA and 10.6 kA at 25 degrees Celsius and surge ratings of more than 60 kA.

With the silicon die directly bonded to a metallic disc, the new 96mm die device is constructed using a new improved process when compared to prior art. The thermal capacity of the metal disc and its direct fusion to the silicon enhances performance and presents excellent transient thermal and surge current ratings, much better than floating silicon designs. The new package design, while retaining an industry standard footprint, allows for the maximum silicon to package ratio and represents a much higher current density than designs using older technology, and is suitable for applications with power ratings up to 10 megawatts and more. 

“The high current handling capability of the new 6kV device offers the opportunity to replace smaller devices operated in parallel in order to achieve power ratings not previously attainable in a single device; thus significantly reducing component count and system size, as well as cost. The press-pack construction also makes the device a first-choice solution where devices are required to be operated in series for medium and high voltage applications,” commented Frank Wakeman, IXYS UK’s Marketing and Technical Support Manager.

The device is available in two standard voltage grades.  Part number designations are as follows: for the 26mm thick package, W6360EC520 at 5200 volts and W6360EC600 for 6000 volts, and for the 35mm thick package, W5715ED520 at 5200 volts and W5715ED600 for 6000 volts. 

Typical applications for this device include medium and high voltage rectifiers for applications in utilities and grid solutions, very high current chemical power supplies, and other industrial applications which require both very high current and voltage.

For data sheets please go to the IXYS UK website at www.ixysuk.com or please contact us at (email: sales@ixysuk.com) or telephone: +44 (0)1249 444524 for quotation.

About IXYS UK

Located in Chippenham, England, IXYS UK Westcode Ltd is the IXYS leading manufacturing site for very high power thyristors, SCRs and rectifiers ranging up to 7200 Volts and 15,000 Amps.  IXYS UK continues to supply high technology components for a wide range of applications such as wind and solar energy, welding, AC and DC motor drives for oil, marine and water treatment facilities, uninterruptible power supplies, motor soft starters, transportation, induction heating, mining equipment and many other industrial applications.

About IXYS Corporation

Since its founding, IXYS Corporation has been developing power semiconductors and mixed signal ICs to improve power conversion efficiency, generate solar and wind power and provide efficient motor control for industrial applications.  IXYS, and its subsidiary companies, offer a diversified product base that addresses worldwide needs for power control in the growing cleantech industries, renewable energy markets, telecommunications, medical devices, transportation applications, flexible displays and RF power.

Safe Harbor Statement

Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including the performance, features, availability and suitability of products for various applications, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the results of IXYS to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including its Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

Frank Wakeman, IXYS UK Westcode Limited, Chippenham, SN15 1GE, United Kingdom. +44 (0)1249 444524
Ray Segall, IXYS Long Beach 562-296-6584 (US sales enquiries only)