Power Integrations, a leader in high-voltage integrated circuits for energy-efficient power conversion, has introduced the world’s highest-voltage, single-switch gallium-nitride (GaN) power supply integrated circuit (IC). This new release features a remarkable 1250-volt PowiGaN switch. These InnoSwitch3-EP 1250 V ICs represent the latest additions to Power Integrations’ InnoSwitch family, designed for off-line constant voltage/constant current (CV/CC) QR flyback switcher ICs.
The InnoSwitch line boasts synchronous rectification, FluxLink safety-isolated feedback, and a range of switch options, including 725 V silicon, 1700 V silicon carbide, and now PowiGaN variants in 750 V, 900 V, and 1250 V.
One of the standout features of Power Integrations’ proprietary 1250 V PowiGaN technology is its remarkably low switching losses, measuring less than one-third of those found in equivalent silicon devices at the same voltage. This attribute results in a staggering power conversion efficiency of up to 93%, enabling the creation of highly compact flyback power supplies capable of delivering up to 85 W without the need for a heatsink.
Radu Barsan, the Vice President of Technology at Power Integrations, highlighted the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of high-voltage GaN technology. He noted, “Power Integrations continues to advance the state of the art in high-voltage GaN technology development and commercial deployment, rendering even the best high-voltage silicon MOSFETs obsolete along the way. We were first to market with high-volume shipments of GaN-based power-supply ICs in 2019, and earlier this year introduced a 900-volt version of our GaN-based InnoSwitch products. Our ongoing development of higher voltage GaN technology, illustrated here by our new 1250 V devices, extends the efficiency benefits of GaN to an even wider range of applications, including many currently served by silicon-carbide technology.”
Designers incorporating the InnoSwitch3-EP 1250 V ICs into their projects can confidently specify an operating peak voltage of 1000 V, allowing for an industry-standard 80% de-rating from the 1250 V absolute maximum. This substantial headroom is particularly valuable in challenging power grid environments where robustness is essential to defend against grid instability, surges, and other power perturbations.
