ABB 5SGY3545L0020 IGCT – Press-pack power switch for medium-voltage drives and converters

The ABB 5SGY3545L0020 is an IGCT (Integrated Gate-Commutated Thyristor) built for demanding medium-voltage applications where high reliability, low conduction loss, and clean commutation really matter. From my experience, this family is used when engineers need the ruggedness of a press-pack device with fast turn-off behavior and long service life in multi-megawatt converters. You might notice that it drops into 4.5 kV-class stacks typically used in MV drives, marine propulsion, and grid converters, making it a practical replacement choice for service teams standardizing on ABB stacks.

Order Placement Process and Guarantees

• Warranty: 365 days
• Delivery: 1 week when in stock; no more than 1 month at the latest
• Payment: 50% advance payment; full payment before delivery
• Express delivery methods: FedEx, UPS, DHL

Key Features

• Press-pack IGCT construction – Robust, uniform current sharing and inherent short-circuit ruggedness; no wire bonds to fatigue under thermal cycling.
• 4.5 kV-class platform – Typically paired with MV DC-link voltages for multi-megawatt converters and drives.
• Low conduction and switching losses – Helps reduce converter thermal load and, in many cases, allows smaller cooling systems.
• High surge and turn-off capability – Designed to handle transient overcurrents when driven with a matched IGCT gate unit.
• Long service life in cyclic duty – Press-pack design typically tolerates repeated heating/cooling in traction, marine, and wind applications.
• Drop-in concept for ABB stacks – Streamlines maintenance when refurbishing existing ABB converter assemblies.

Technical Specifications

Application Fields

Typical use cases include medium-voltage variable speed drives for compressors and pumps, marine propulsion converters, wind turbine converters, traction propulsion and auxiliaries, STATCOM/SVC systems, and other high-power rectifier/inverter topologies. One thing I appreciate is how well this device handles cyclic loads and long service intervals in industrial drive retrofits.

Advantages & Value

• Reliability under stress – Press-pack assembly avoids bond-wire failures; in many cases that translates to fewer unplanned shutdowns.
• Compatibility – Designed for ABB IGCT stacks and gate units, easing replacement and reducing commissioning effort.
• Operational efficiency – Low conduction losses help trim cooling demand and can reduce lifetime energy costs of the converter.
• Lifecycle support – Stable long-term availability across ABB’s IGCT platform, which procurement teams usually prefer for fleet standardization.

Feedback from a maintenance lead after a recent drive overhaul: “Swapping to the new ABB IGCTs stabilized the heat sink temperature by a few degrees and made clamping checks more predictable during annual shutdown.”

Installation & Maintenance

• Cabinet and environment – Install in a clean, dry cabinet with adequate ventilation; observe creepage/clearance distances appropriate for MV systems.
• Stack assembly – Use calibrated press tools to achieve the specified clamping force; verify planarity and use approved thermal interface materials.
• Wiring & busbars – Keep stray inductance low with short, wide busbars; follow ABB recommendations for gate lead layout to the IGCT gate unit.
• Cooling – Size air or liquid cooling based on the application’s RMS and surge profiles; inspect heat sinks for fouling during planned outages.
• Safety – De-energize and discharge DC links before handling; observe appropriate PPE and lockout procedures.
• Routine checks – Periodically verify clamping force, clean contact surfaces if the stack is opened, and keep the gate unit firmware/configuration aligned with the device rating.
• Storage – Store in original packaging, dry conditions, typically -40 to +55 °C; protect mating surfaces from contamination.

Quality & Certifications

• Manufactured under ISO 9001 quality systems (ABB production)
• RoHS compliant component
• CE/UL marking typically not applicable to standalone power semiconductors; system compliance depends on the final assembly
• Warranty provided: 365 days from delivery

Recommended Accessories & Supporting Components

• IGCT Gate Unit (matching 4.5 kV-class) – Ensures correct turn-on/turn-off dynamics and protection functions; typically fiber-optic controlled at system level.
• Calibrated press-pack clamps – Maintains specified mechanical pressure across the device during operation.
• High-current busbars and snubber network – Minimizes stray inductance and shapes dv/dt during commutation.
• Approved thermal interface materials and heat sinks – Supports thermal performance under continuous and surge load profiles.

If you’re replacing an existing device, share your stack rating and gate unit details. Matching the IGCT to the gate unit and clamping setup is, in most cases, the quickest way to guarantee smooth commissioning.