ABB ACS800 TIM foil IGBT

ABB ACS800 EconOPACK+IGBT Module TIM Thermal Foil Application and Spare Parts Replacement Guide

In the maintenance of ACS800 frequency converter power module, the thermal interface material between IGBT and heat sink directly affects the device junction temperature, cyclic load life, and consistency of on-site maintenance. In the continuous improvement process of the ACS800 product family, TIM foil, commonly known as TIM thermal conductive foil or graphite sheet, has been introduced for modules using EconOPACK+IGBT to replace traditional thermal conductive silicone grease. For engineers in the "search solution" stage, what they really need to master is not just "having this material", but where it is suitable, whether it can be mixed, how to identify spare parts, what to check during installation, and how to avoid procurement and maintenance deviations during the 2024 spare parts switching period.

The core function of TIM thermal conductive foil is to transfer the heat generated by IGBT to the heat sink. Compared with thermal conductive silicone grease, the advantages of TIM foil are mainly reflected in its easier installation, more durable long-term thermal conductivity, and particularly significant durability improvement in cyclic load applications. Thermal conductive silicone grease has a high dependence on construction quality in terms of long-term thermal cycling, pumping effect, and pollution control; TIM foil uses pre formed materials to reduce coating differences, making maintenance consistency easier to control. However, it should be emphasized that TIM foil is not a simple consumable that can be simply installed. The final thermal resistance is still determined by the cleaning of the installation surface, protective film treatment, clamping force, and screw sequence.

Scope of application and principle of mixed use

TIM thermal conductive foil is used for the thermal conduction path from IGBT to heat sink. The complete installation instructions should be provided with the TIM IGBT spare parts kit, and priority should be given to following the instructions provided with the kit on site. In engineering, it is allowed to mix IGBTs with thermal grease and IGBTs with TIM foil in the same equipment; In the R8i modules connected in parallel, it is also allowed to mix modules using TIM foil and modules using thermal conductive silicone grease. This is important for the maintenance of existing equipment: there is no need to force a complete replacement on site because some modules are still using the silicone grease solution, but it is necessary to ensure that the interface material between each IGBT and the heat sink is correct and complete. Silicon grease and TIM foil cannot be stacked on the same thermal interface, and old foil cannot be reused.

The premise of mixing is' each is correct '. For parallel R8i modules, maintenance records should clearly indicate the type of thermal interface material currently used, spare parts batch, and replacement date for each module. If there are both TIM foil modules and silicone grease modules in the same group, it is important to check the compression status, radiator cleanliness, and temperature performance of each module to avoid uneven heat distribution caused by poor installation of individual modules. Mixing is an allowed maintenance strategy, not a reason to lower installation standards.

Spare parts switching and timeline

The ACS800 EconoPACK+module maintenance strategy has transitioned to the TIM foil solution. TIM foil is used in related repairs, and the spare IGBT kit has also been updated to the TIM foil version, with the thermal grease removed. It should be noted that this is a Running Change, planned to be launched in the second quarter of 2024; Early IGBT kits containing thermal conductive silicone grease will consume inventory first. Therefore, procurement and maintenance personnel may encounter both old kits containing silicone grease and new kits containing TIM foil during the transition period. When receiving the goods, the package label, accompanying instructions, and thermal interface material form should be checked, and cannot be judged solely based on old spare part numbers.

For maintenance sites, it is recommended to add a "hot interface material type" check item in the material requisition process: whether the kit contains TIM foil or silicone grease, with accompanying instructions on whether it matches, whether the TIM foil has independent packaging and spare part numbers. For old inventory containing silicone grease kits, they can be used according to the accompanying instructions; For new repairs and purchases, priority should be given to implementing the TIM foil plan and refreshing the recommended spare parts information to avoid using expired lists.

IGBT module kit and TIM foil spare parts identification

The following table is organized by kit model and spare part number for quick verification during maintenance and material requisition. The spare part numbers for TIM foil in the table are listed as 3AXD50000948185 according to the kit information; The actual shipment is subject to the kit label and recommended spare parts.