MOSFET for electronic ignition?

The IRGB14C40L IGBT is designed for electronic ignition circuits. This is a very strange IGBT since it uses logic level gate drive. It also expects a

1k resistor in series with the gate. The collector-emitter breakdown voltage is self clamped to about 400V, so ignition circuits built with this device can be very simple.

Hi all,

Would a power Mosfet be an appropriate choice for driving the primary side of a EHT ignition coil? If so, any recommendations as to type number would be appreciated. If not, what other device would be better suited?

thanks,

p.

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"What is now proved was once only imagin'd." - William Blake, 1793.

Get the real thing: an IGBT made SPECIFICALLY for driving an ignition coil. For example:

My hobby is building electronic ignitions for antique vehicles. I used the fairchild IGBT in a couple of circuits. I've used a couple other devices from other manufacturers. If I have the time I'll look for the part numbers. In the meantime just search for "ignition coil igbt" or some such.

I tried mosfets and igbt's that don't have clamping, and they sometimes work and sometimes don't. The automotive igbt's are your best bet.

By the way, what is EHT? My applications have all been simple transistor-switched inductive ignitions. If you are using capacitive discharge the clamping aspect might not be as important, and an ordinary power mosfet (no clamping), with the proper voltage rating, might work.

Old fashioned ignitions that have a set number of degrees of dwell (as opposed to modern ignitions, which have dwell control and low-resistance coils) will heat up a garden-variety mosfet, like the IRF 740. If the kickback doesn't kill it. You would have to find a high voltage mosfet with a low Rds and also be stuck with having to make a clamping circuit using discrete components to protect the mosfet.

Okay, thanks all! Will look into them.

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"What is now proved was once only imagin'd." - William Blake, 1793.