White Paper: Test & Measurement
How Accurate Are Your SiC Inverter Measurements?
SPONSORED BY: ![]()
Conventional analyzers struggle with high-speed switching, leading to costly design errors. Hioki’s PW8001 Power Analyzer delivers superior phase accuracy and wideband performance, ensuring reliable efficiency data for next-generation SiC inverters. Our latest application note compares Hioki against conventional instruments under real-world conditions—demonstrating how precision reduces losses, improves design decisions, and accelerates energy efficiency.
Download now to see the difference.
Don't have an account?
Overview
The document is an application note from HIOKI E.E. CORPORATION, focusing on the comparison of Silicon Carbide (SiC) inverters measured by high-end power analyzers. It highlights the advancements in inverter technology driven by research and development, particularly the use of high-speed switching enabled by power semiconductors like SiC and Gallium Nitride (GaN). These technologies enhance power conversion efficiency, allowing for the miniaturization of components such as smoothing coils and capacitors, and reducing power loss during switching, which in turn minimizes the size and weight of heat dissipation components.
A key aspect discussed is the impact of increased switching speeds on the accuracy of power measurement. As inverters operate at higher frequencies, the need for wider bandwidth and precise measurement becomes critical. The document emphasizes that accurate measurement of inverter output power is essential for optimizing thermal management, especially in applications like automotive inverters, where efficiency and charging time are paramount. It notes that even small measurement errors can lead to significant miscalculations in power loss, potentially resulting in excessive thermal management measures that hinder efforts to reduce size and weight.
The document presents a comparison of inverter efficiency using HIOKI's PW8001 power analyzer against a competitor's high-end analyzer. It details the importance of phase accuracy in measuring inverter output power, particularly in capturing the switching frequency and its harmonic content. The analysis includes a frequency distribution of active power output, illustrating how active power is spread across a wide frequency range, necessitating a power analyzer capable of handling this complexity.
In summary, the application note underscores the importance of selecting appropriate measurement devices to ensure accurate power analysis of fast-switching inverters. It serves as a guide for engineers and developers in the field, highlighting the relationship between measurement accuracy, inverter efficiency, and the overall design of compact and efficient inverter systems. The information is current as of September 15, 2025, and is subject to change.