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Mitsubishi Electric launches 4.5kV Power Semiconductors for Rail
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Mitsubishi Electric announced the release of new power semiconductors featuring a 4.5kV withstand voltage, specifically designed for use in railway vehicles and other heavy-duty applications.
Context
Mitsubishi Electric is launching its new 4.5kV HVIGBT module XB series on December 9, 2025, targeting the growing market for high-power inverters in railway vehicles and other large industrial equipment. The launch includes two versions: a standard model with 6.0kVrms insulation and a high-insulation model rated for 10.2kVrms. This strategic product release aims to capture increasing demand for efficient power conversion components driven by global decarbonization efforts. The new modules are designed to be drop-in replacements for previous H and R-series products, sharing the same external dimensions and terminal layout to simplify adoption and shorten inverter development times for customers.
The new XB series modules deliver significant performance and reliability enhancements over previous generations. By incorporating proprietary technologies like the RFC diode and CSTBT structure, the modules achieve a ~5% reduction in switching losses, contributing directly to higher inverter efficiency. A novel chip termination structure provides a dramatic 20x improvement in moisture resistance while shrinking the required chip area by ~30%, a critical advantage for systems operating in harsh, humid environments. Furthermore, reliability is substantially improved with a 2.5x larger Reverse Recovery Safe Operating Area (RRSOA), enhancing the stability of the inverters they are built into. Mitsubishi Electric plans to showcase these products globally, starting with NEPCON Japan in January 2026.
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