ABB 5SHX14H4502 3BHB003230R0101/5SXE05-0152/3BHB003023P201 Bipolar Transistor (IGBT)

ABB 5SHX14H4502 3BHB003230R0101/5SXE05-0152/3BHB003023P201 Bipolar Transistor (IGBT)

1. Product Description: The ABB 5SHX14H4502 (also identified by order code 3BHB003230R0101) is a High-Voltage, Ultra-Rapid Semiconductor Fuse (High-Speed Fuse) specifically designed for the protection of Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) and other sensitive semiconductor devices in demanding power electronic applications.

2. Key Features & Characteristics:

• Ultra-Rapid Operation: Engineered to interrupt extremely high short-circuit fault currents within microseconds (typically <5ms total clearing time at rated breaking capacity), significantly faster than standard industrial fuses. This speed is critical for protecting expensive IGBTs from thermal destruction.
• High Voltage Rating: Designed for high-voltage DC link applications, typically rated for voltages like 4500V DC.
• High Breaking Capacity: Capable of safely interrupting very high prospective short-circuit currents, often in the range of tens of kiloamperes (kA).
• Controlled Let-Through Energy (I²t): Precisely calibrated to limit the total energy (I²t) passed through to the protected semiconductor during a fault. This is the most crucial characteristic, ensuring the fuse blows before the IGBT exceeds its withstand capability.
• Low Power Loss: Designed for low steady-state power dissipation (low voltage drop), minimizing heat generation during normal operation and improving system efficiency.
• Robust Construction: Features high-purity silver or silver-plated copper elements, high-grade silica sand arc-quenching filler, and sturdy ceramic housing suitable for high-power environments.
• Visual & Electrical Indicators: Many variants include striker pins or auxiliary contacts (micro-switches) providing a clear visual or electrical signal upon operation for fault detection and system interlocking/safety shutdown.
• High Reliability & Consistency: Manufactured to stringent quality standards for predictable and reliable performance.
• Specific Design for IGBTs: Tailored electrical characteristics (melting integral, peak arc voltage) to match the protection requirements of modern high-power IGBT modules.

3. Product Parameters / Specifications (Typical):

4. Series:

• 5SHX Series: This fuse belongs to ABB’s primary range of High-Speed Semiconductor Fuses (HSS Fuses). The 5SHX prefix is the key identifier for this series within ABB’s portfolio. Variants exist for different voltage ratings (e.g., 2800V, 4500V, 5200V) and a wide range of current ratings.
• Platform: It’s part of ABB’s protection solutions for converters, drives, and HVDC/FACTS systems.

5. Function / Role (What it Does):

• Critical Protection: Acts as the primary protective device for individual IGBT branches or small groups within high-power converters.
• Short-Circuit Interruption: Detects and safely interrupts catastrophic short-circuit faults occurring within the IGBT module itself or in the circuit very close to it.
• Energy Limitation: Limits the let-through fault current and, crucially, the let-through energy (I²t) to a level guaranteed to be below the withstand capability (I²t rating) of the protected IGBT.
• Isolation: Physically isolates the faulty circuit from the DC link after operation.
• Fault Indication: Provides a visual (striker pin) or electrical (aux contact) signal upon blowing, enabling system diagnostics and safety shutdowns.

6. Purpose & Why it’s Used:

• Protect Expensive Semiconductors: Prevent thermal destruction of costly IGBT modules during internal or external short-circuit faults. Replacing a fuse is vastly cheaper and faster than replacing an IGBT module.
• Ensure System Reliability: Minimize damage to surrounding components and prevent cascading failures within the converter.
• Maintain System Safety: Safely isolate faulted sections to protect personnel and equipment.
• Enable Selective Coordination: Allows other upstream protection devices (like circuit breakers) to remain operational for faults elsewhere, improving overall system availability.
• Meet Design Requirements: Essential component in the design of robust medium and high-voltage power electronic converters where IGBT protection is mandated.

7. Application Areas / Fields of Use: This fuse is a critical component in high-power, high-reliability power electronic systems utilizing IGBTs, particularly:

• Medium Voltage Drives (MVDs): Protecting IGBTs in the inverter sections of drives controlling large motors (pumps, fans, compressors, conveyors).
• High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission: Protecting valves/converters in both LCC (Line Commutated Converter) and VSC (Voltage Source Converter) HVDC stations.
• Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS): Protecting IGBT valves in devices like STATCOMs (Static Synchronous Compensators), SSSCs (Static Synchronous Series Compensators), and UPFCs (Unified Power Flow Controllers).
• Renewable Energy Inverters: Protecting IGBTs in large-scale solar PV inverters and full-power converter wind turbine inverters connecting to medium voltage grids.
• Industrial Power Supplies: Protecting IGBTs in large, high-power rectifiers and DC power supplies.
• Rail Traction: Protecting IGBTs in main converters and auxiliary converters for locomotives and high-speed trains.
• Large UPS Systems: Protecting IGBTs in the inverter stages of high-power Uninterruptible Power Supplies for data centers and critical infrastructure.

In Summary:

The ABB 5SHX14H4502 (3BHB003230R0101) is an ultra-rapid, high-voltage, high-current semiconductor fuse from ABB’s 5SHX series. Its core purpose is to provide ultra-fast, energy-limiting protection specifically for IGBTs in high-power converters. Key features include its high voltage rating (4500V DC), high breaking capacity, precisely calibrated low I²t value, and reliable striker/auxiliary contact indication. It is an indispensable safety and reliability component in demanding applications like Medium Voltage Drives, HVDC transmission, FACTS devices, large renewable energy systems, rail traction, and industrial power conversion, where protecting expensive IGBTs from catastrophic short-circuit faults is paramount.