Product Description
The Universal DRSSTC Controller is a fully integrated, high current intelligent IGBT driver, designed for use with Double Resonant Solid State Tesla Coils (DRSSTCs) of all power levels. It is 100% universal in that it can drive both IGBT and MOSFET based half-bridges and full-bridges for both low power DRSSTCs as well as monster-sized DRSSTC coils utilizing full-bridge switching circuits comprised up of 1200V, 600A CM600 IGBT modules. This controller provides the intelligent logic necessary to drive both IGBT and MOSFET based power bridges as well as provide the fault processing circuitry necessary to ensure safe, reliable operation of a DRSSTC system. The controller includes both peak current limiting circuitry as well as a UVLO (under voltage lock-out) protection circuit on the output stages of the integrated high current gate drivers.
The controller receives its modulator (interrupter) input via a standard ST connectorized fiber optic input. The controller will accept both a standard modulator (interrupter) input as well as a musical MIDI based input from a modulator (interrupter) such as our Plasmasonic Handheld Controller. There are also two current sense inputs which connect to standard 1000:1 current transformers. The feedback current sense monitors the current in the primary circuit of the DRSSTC and uses that signal to synch the output gate drivers of the controller to ensure the gate drivers switch as the exact resonant frequency of the DRSSTC system. The second current sense monitors peak primary current and is used in a peak current limiting circuit. When this monitored peak primary current exceeds a set threshold limit programmed into the controller by the end user, it will disable the output pulsing, and thus protecting the IGBTs from excessive current. Current limit programming is set using two (2) onboard potentiometers. With one potentiometer for coarse adjustment and one for fine adjustment, current limits can be set accurately on the fly by simply looking at the arrow designators on the potentiometer knobs. A multimeter to read the current limit setpoints is not necessary. Overcurrent thresholds of 50A-1000A can be set visually by the end user with great ease.
To ensure proper sychronized switching of the IGBT or MOSFET bridges with the primary current waveform, a phase delay circuit is provided. This adjustment allows the delay of the output gate drivers to be adjusted so that perfect soft-switching is occuring within the half-bridge or full-bridge switching circuit. This minimizes the switching losses of the IGBTs or MOSFETs and allows the system to run efficiently and deliver maximum power to the primary circuit of the DRSSTC system. As the amount of phase delay required may differ from one DRSSTC to another, the variable inductors used are socketed onto the PCB board which allows the end user to easily swap from one range of inductor values to another.
Finally, the controller is enclosed in an EMI shielded two-piece enclosure that features four (4) #8 mounting holes. This allows the user to easily mount the controller is almost any location. Four (4) high-intensity LEDs provide real-time status to the health and operation of the controller.
This 1000A version is perfect for driving small to medium sized DRSSTC Tesla coils including ones with a single CM300DY-12NF IGBT half-bridge module such as our Reference Design 1.0 system.
All Universal DRSSTC Controllers come fully assembled and tested. Testing includes a full hour burn-in with an actual high power IGBT module load to ensure reliable operation.
Click here for datasheet and instruction manual (PDF)
Tuning inductors must be purchased separately according to the IGBTs you are driving. Purchase them on our accessories page.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This controller is compatible with BOTH half-bridge and full-bridge configurations.
Features:
- Operates from 20VAC 50/60Hz or 26.5VDC
- Low power consumption - 5W maximum at 20VAC
- Gate output: 50A drive
- Compatible with small to high power IGBTs including CM300 and CM600 IGBT modules
- Drives half-bridge and full-bridge configurations
- Overcurrent protection to 1000A or 2000A
- No need for multimeter to set overcurrent. Coarse and fine adjustment knobs provide easy visually programming
- Four (4) status LEDs
- Phase adjust for tuning controller and ensuring proper soft-switching of IGBT devices
- Polarity switch - Allows users to switch polarity of gate drive on the fly
- Plug-in tuning inductor module allows a wide range of inductor values for tuning
- Modulator (interrupter) input is a standard ST fiber optic input
- EMI shielded enclosure
- Four (4) #8 mounting holes provide easy mounting to practically any surface or enclosure
- All controllers come fully assembled and tested which includes a 60 minute burn-in test with actual IGBT loads.
- Designed, built, and tested in the USA
