How do I start selecting a Power Integrations gate driver IC?

Fix the IGBT voltage class from your DC bus, size the peak gate current for the module's gate charge and required switching speed, then confirm the isolation and protection. Finally check the package and supply. Those decisions narrow the SCALE-iDriver family quickly.

What peak gate current do I need?

Peak gate current sets how quickly the driver charges and discharges the gate, which affects switching speed and loss. Larger modules and higher switching frequency need more current; smaller modules and lower frequency need less. The family spans 2.5 A to 8 A. Our FAE team can match the driver to your module.

Why is reinforced isolation important?

Reinforced isolation protects the controller from the high-voltage bridge and provides a safety barrier. The SCALE-iDriver achieves reinforced isolation up to 1200 V with FluxLink technology, without an optocoupler, so timing is stable and does not age. Confirm the isolation class against your system voltage.

What selection mistakes should I avoid?

The usual mistakes are choosing too little gate current for the module, ignoring the isolated supply requirement and underestimating the isolation clearance. Each adds risk without benefit. Validate the choice on the bench before committing the BOM.

How do I start selecting a plug-and-play driver board?

Start from the IGBT module part number, because a plug-and-play board is matched to a specific module. Then confirm the voltage class, the interface (electrical or fiber-optic) and the protection features. The board's model number usually includes the module it drives.

Electrical or fiber-optic interface?

An electrical interface is simple and cost-effective for lower-voltage systems. A fiber-optic interface provides electrical insulation for the command and status signals and is standard at high voltage, such as traction and HVDC, where it also resists the electromagnetic noise of the power stage. Choose by voltage level and environment.

When do I need master/slave operation?

When several IGBT modules are connected in parallel to reach a higher current, master/slave operation lets one master drive up to three slaves so the parallel modules switch together safely. This is common in traction and high-power converters. Our FAE team can review your parallel arrangement.

What connects to the board besides the module?

The board needs a control supply for its DC/DC converter and the command and status signals. Some models pair with an external isolated DC-DC converter or cable assembly, so confirm the required accessories before you order. Our FAE team can list the accessories for your board.

How do I tune the gate resistors?

The SCALE-iDriver has separate turn-on and turn-off paths. Start from the datasheet values, then reduce the turn-on resistance if switching loss is too high and increase it if ringing and EMI are too high; do the same for turn-off against overvoltage. Measure at the IGBT terminals. The right values balance loss, EMI and overvoltage.

How do I lay out the isolation barrier?

Respect the recommended creepage and clearance between the primary and secondary sides across the FluxLink isolation barrier, keep the barrier continuous, and do not route primary copper under the secondary circuitry. The isolation class must match the system voltage. Confirm the spacing with our FAE team.

How does the DESAT protection work?

DESAT monitors the IGBT collector-emitter voltage during on-state and triggers a soft shutdown when it exceeds the threshold, which indicates a short circuit. Set the DESAT network for your module and verify the response time on the bench. Our FAE team can review the DESAT design.

What layout keeps the gate loop clean?

Place the driver close to the IGBT, keep the gate loop short, and separate the gate return from the power emitter where the package allows. Keep the high-current commutation loop tight to reduce noise coupling into the gate circuit. Layout is the first lever on gate-drive noise.

My IGBT shows excessive turn-off overvoltage. Where do I start?

Excessive turn-off overvoltage usually comes from too small a turn-off gate resistor, a high commutation-loop inductance or insufficient active clamping. Increase the turn-off resistor, tighten the loop, and confirm the clamping network. Measure at the IGBT terminals. Layout and the gate resistor are the first levers.

The driver trips on a short circuit too often. What should I check?

Check the DESAT threshold and blanking time against the module, and measure the on-state collector-emitter voltage at worst-case load. A threshold set too low, or noise on the DESAT pin, causes nuisance trips. Filter the DESAT sense and confirm the network. Our FAE team can review the protection setup.

The IGBT turns on when it should be off. What is wrong?

A false turn-on is usually caused by dv/dt coupling through the gate-drain capacitance during the complementary switch's transition, or by a high-impedance gate return. Use a negative off-state gate voltage, keep the gate loop short and low-impedance, and consider a small gate-source capacitor. Check the gate waveform at the device during the transition.

The driver runs hot. What should I check?

Check the switching frequency and the gate charge, because driver loss scales with both, and confirm the supply and the copper or airflow around the driver. At high frequency the driver's own dissipation can be significant. Our FAE team can review the thermal design.

What is the standout feature of the SCALE-iDriver?

The standout feature is the combination of reinforced isolation, integrated protection and gate-drive power in one small package, with stable timing from the FluxLink isolation instead of an optocoupler. That reduces component count and improves reliability. The main design care point is the isolation layout and gate resistors.

How does FluxLink isolation compare with an optocoupler?

FluxLink uses a solid insulator instead of an optical path, so the timing is stable and does not age as an optocoupler does. That makes the switching behavior predictable over the product life and removes a common reliability concern. It also simplifies the layout compared with an optocoupler.

Does the single-supply architecture really help?

Yes. The driver generates both the positive and negative gate voltages from a single unipolar insulated supply, which removes one isolated supply per switch. In a converter with many switches that is a real saving in cost, board space and complexity. Confirm the isolated supply margins with our FAE team.

Can I get samples to evaluate?

Yes. We provide samples of the Power Integrations gate driver ICs for your own switching and thermal testing, with documentation included and FAE support during bring-up. Request a sample and we will confirm stock and lead time.

Technical Support | Power Integrations Expertise | BeiLuo

Guides, application notes, troubleshooting and reviews from BeiLuo's FAE team covering Power Integrations SCALE-iDriver ICs and SCALE-2 IGBT driver boards.

Guides 2 Application Notes 1 Troubleshooting 1 Reviews 1

How to Select a Power Integrations IGBT Driver

2026-07-26 - Guides - By Wei Zhang

Compare Power Integrations SCALE-iDriver gate driver ICs by peak output current, voltage class, isolation and protection to choose the right part for your design.

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How to Select a Power Integrations Driver Board

2026-07-21 - Guides - By Li Chen

A practical method for selecting SCALE-2 plug-and-play IGBT driver boards by module type, voltage class, interface and protection for your power system.

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Power Integrations Gate Drive and Layout Notes

2026-07-16 - Application Notes - By Hao Wang

Gate-resistor, isolation and layout guidance for designing reliable IGBT gate-drive circuits around Power Integrations SCALE-iDriver gate driver ICs safely.

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Troubleshooting Power Integrations Gate Drivers

2026-07-09 - Troubleshooting - By Hao Wang

A systematic method for diagnosing overvoltage, false trigger, protection trip and thermal problems in Power Integrations SCALE IGBT gate drivers and designs.

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Power Integrations SCALE Drivers: A Practical Review

2026-06-30 - Reviews - By Wei Zhang

A hands-on review of Power Integrations SCALE-iDriver gate driver ICs for drives, solar and power supplies, covering isolation, protection and layout practice.

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Meet Our FAE Team

Wei Zhang

Senior FAE Engineer, Gate Drivers

IGBT Gate DriverIsolationMotor Drives

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Li Chen

FAE Engineer, Driver Boards

Driver BoardsModule MatchingTraction

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Hao Wang

FAE Engineer, Applications

Gate Drive LayoutProtectionReliability

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