[August 21, 2008] IXYS Announces Record Performance of Its 6.5kV Thyristor Tweet BIEL, Switzerland --(Business Wire)-- IXYS Corporation (NASDAQ:IXYS) announced that its wholly owned UK subsidiary, Westcode Semiconductors Limited, has developed a higher current rating for the smallest devices in their 6.5kV thyristor family. The new 6.5kV device has a nominal RMS current rating of 890A, twenty percent more than the established prior product. The improved product is encapsulated in the same 34mm (1.39") pole face hermetic pressure contact package, using Westcode's advanced power technology. The improved devices incorporate the same advanced processing as that used in all of Westcode's medium voltage thyristors, such as innovative gate architecture for improved turn-on characteristics and enhanced di/dt capability and improved dynamic performance with reduced tq and recovery time. These properties make these devices ideally suited for medium voltage applications, particularly where series operation of the devices is required. Typical applications include high power DC drives, soft-starts, utility applications such as HVDC, static VAR compensators, excitation and transfer switches. "The new devices, which have an improved thermal resistance, are offered alongside our established lower current rated devices as a higher performance option," explained Frank Wakeman, Marketing & Technical Support Manager at Westcode. "The increased current rating allows for the design of more compact systems where an operational current rating would have required a larger package device to have been used, thereby reducing material usage, weight and system cost." This development is consistent with IXYS' strategic objective for "Energy Saving Devices" by providing more power in less package; therefore, making cost and energy efficiency savings whenever possible. These new devices are particularly suited to soft starter applications where a high, short term overload performance is required. The devices are available in two voltage classes and two package options: K0443LC600 & K04336LC650, which are rated at 6.0kV & 6.5kV, respectively, and housed in a 26mm (1") thick package, and K0443LG600 & K0433LG650 rated at 6.0kV & 6.5kV, respectively, and housed in a 35mm (1.38") thick package. For data sheets please go to the Westcode website at www.westcode.com or please contact us at (email: [email protected]) or telephone: +44 (0) 1249 444524 for quotation. About Westcode Located in Chippenham, England, Westcode Semiconductors Ltd is a leading manufacturer of very high power thyristors, SCRs and rectifiers ranging up to 6500 Volts and 15,000 Amps. Westcode continues to supply high technology components for a wide range of applications such as welding, AC and DC drives, rectifier supplies, uninterruptible power supplies, motor soft starts, transportation, induction heating, power conditioning, high energy physics and many other industrial uses. About IXYS Corporation Since its inception in 1983, IXYS Corporation has been developing technology-driven products to improve power conversion efficiency, generate solar and wind power and provide efficient motor control for industrial applications. IXYS, and its subsidiary companies, offer a diversified product base that addresses worldwide needs for power control, electrical efficiency, renewable energy, telecommunications, medical devices, flexible displays and RF power. Safe Harbor Statement Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including the performance, rating, availability, reliability and suitability of products for various applications, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the results of IXYS to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including its Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2008. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]