Test multimeter 50 test electronic components with a multimeter : How to test IGBT Module with multimeter

Test IGBT Module with multimeter

We can check IGBT module condition : good or bad with analog multimeter. It is a basic testing with the most common tester. Besides checking good or bad condition , we check to compare the measured parameter of IGBT from different supplier as maintenance experience sometime we found IGBT is a good condition when checking with multimeter , but when comparing the measured parameter it has some difference in detail. Note IGBT module is a power electronic devices which is working at high current and high voltage , we check it with a multimeter that is a low voltage testing ( analog multimeter 3VDC and 9VDC from Ohm range and digital multimeter around 2.7V) sometime it found that it is a good IGBT if checking it with multimeter but it fail when working at high voltage and current. However , checking it with multimeter is still useful and necessary for repairing circuit.

Internal circuit diagram of example IGBT

Look at the body of IGBT there is terminal Gate ( G) , Collector ( C ) and Emitter ( E). Some model there is one IGBT inside the module and some model has 2 IGBT inside the module.

Step to test IGBT module with analog Multimeter.

1. Discharge IGBT by shorting 3 terminal together ( G-C-E short). The test IGBT must remove from circuit and there is no power present while checking.

2. After discharging , do not touch any metal terminal and hold at insulated case if need.

Discharge IGBT by shorting 3 terminal together

3. Checking diode No. 1 at C1-E1 terminal and Diode No.2 at C2-E2 terminal. Set range switch to Rx1. Good diode , the pointer will point at low resistance when forward biasing and the pointer will point at ∞ Infinity scale when reverse biasing. Shorted diode the pointer will point at O Ohm and open diode the pointer will point at ∞ Infinity scale 2 time.

testing electronic components with multimeter

Forward bias to diode , the pointer will point at low resistance

Reverse bias to diode , the pointer will point at ∞ Infinity scale 2 time.

4. Checking Gate biasing to ON and OFF the IGBT. Set the range switch to Rx10K as this range of multimeter supply 9VDC from the test lead to provide basic bias IGBT. Good IGBT can bias to ON and OFF. Bad IGBT can not bias (fail) to ON and OFF.

Connect the test lead with IGBT , terminal C1 E1 and G1 as photo below.

Trig G1 to turn on the IGBT , connect the test lead with terminal C1 E1 and G1

Remove trig voltage from G1 , the IGBT still let current flow and the pointer still point at the same scale as time when connecting voltage to trig G1.

Turn OFF IGBT by short G1 to E1 terminal , the pointer move backward to ∞ scale

5. Repeat process step 4 to check Gate biasing to ON and OFF IGBT No.2 ( C2 , E2 , G2)

Note this is a basic and low voltage testing. It tend to be good condition when IGBT working at high voltage at specific circuit , but sometime we found it fail at high voltage test. You need to test and compare measured Ohm value of IGBT that from difference supplier.