Power converters · SCR → IGBT · active filters
IGBT
Power
Electronics.
IGBT converters, active filters and SCR to IGBT retrofit for induction furnaces. Up to 10 MW, digital control.
From the mains
to the melt.
Modern IGBT converters feed the coil with clean, finely controlled power through static conversion: power factor near unity, low harmonic distortion and per-cycle control of the melt. Legacy SCR drives can be retrofitted to IGBT, lifting efficiency and power quality without replacing the furnace.
The converter is the interface between the plant grid and the coil: it decides how much power reaches the bath, and how precisely that power is metered. CIME sizes it from 1 to 10 MW, with 400 V to 35 kV input and liquid-cooled indoor cabinets, for melting, holding, tandem and pouring furnaces. Control is computerized: energy logging, diagnostics and power curve memory, ready to talk to the melt shop.
Harmonics and cos φ under control.
An active filter measures the current the plant draws and injects the opposite compensating current in real time: the harmonics generated by the converters are cancelled and cos φ returns close to one, with no fixed capacitor banks.
You need one when the utility enforces distortion limits, when low power factor penalties show up on the bill, or when the substation transformer is already at its limit and the foundry wants to add load without reworking the connection. Rating is built up in modules, up to 300 kVAr of harmonic compensation and up to 600 kVAr of power factor correction each, so you start from real demand and grow later. Filters can also be added to plants already in operation, without touching the furnace.
The furnace stays, the electronics change.
The existing SCR converter is replaced with a modern IGBT unit: furnace, coil and civil works stay where they are, the power cabinet and the controls change.
The plant recovers power factor, efficiency and the ability to deliver full power in any lining condition, with the fine per-cycle regulation IGBT allows. It is the lower-capex route to modern performance: you rebuild the power electronics, not the whole melt shop. The work is planned with the foundry and concentrated in an agreed shutdown window, so production restarts with the same furnace and new electronics.
Why IGBT wins.
Older furnaces run on SCR (thyristor) converters. Modern IGBT converters deliver a higher power factor, cleaner power quality and finer control, and existing SCR units can be upgraded to IGBT.
The key points.
Active harmonic filtering (THD)
Active filters compensate current and voltage harmonics in real time, up to 300 kVAr per module, keeping harmonics within grid limits.
Power factor correction (cos φ)
Dynamic power factor correction up to 600 kVAr per module avoids penalties and frees transformer capacity for production.
IGBT or SCR, liquid cooled
IGBT or SCR semiconductors, liquid cooled for high power density, input 400 V to 35 kV in compact indoor cabinets.
Computerized control
Energy logging, diagnostics and power curve memory, ready to interface with the furnace, the melt shop and the foundry MES.
Add-ons & upgrades.
SCR to IGBT retrofit
Replace an existing SCR converter with a modern IGBT unit, recovering power factor, efficiency and capacity on installed equipment.
Active power quality filters
Add harmonic (THD) and power factor (cos φ) compensation, up to 300 and 600 kVAr per module, to keep the plant within grid limits.
Remote monitoring & diagnostics
Energy logging, alarms and diagnostics, ready to interface with the foundry MES for predictive maintenance.
Spare power modules
Ready spare IGBT or SCR modules, installed fast on a fault so the line keeps running and downtime stays minimal.
Engineered to your requirements.
Power converter · technical data
Active filters
Operational questions, straight answers.
What is a static power converter?
It supplies an induction furnace with the exact frequency and current it needs. The rectifier turns the incoming AC voltage into DC voltage, then the inverter turns that DC voltage into AC voltage at the chosen frequency, tuned to the metal being melted.
IGBT or SCR, what is the difference?
SCR (thyristor) is the older technology. IGBT converters give a higher power factor, cleaner power quality and finer control. Existing SCR units can be retrofitted to IGBT.
What power and voltage are available?
From 1 MW to 10 MW, input 400 V to 35 kV, frequency 50 to 1000 Hz, liquid cooled in indoor cabinets.
Can you retrofit our existing SCR converter?
Yes. CIME replaces an existing SCR converter with a modern IGBT unit, recovering power factor, efficiency and capacity on installed equipment, a lower-capex route to modern, high-efficiency performance.
What is power quality and what is it for?
Active filters compensate current and voltage harmonics (THD) up to 300 kVAr per module and correct power factor (cos φ) up to 600 kVAr per module, keeping the plant within grid limits and avoiding penalties.
Which furnaces can it power?
The whole CIME range: melting, holding, tandem and the CAP pouring furnace, each sized to its duty.
Is it liquid cooled?
Yes. Liquid cooling gives high power density in a compact indoor cabinet, with full computerized control and diagnostics.
Built around your process.
Whether you need a power system engineered to your installation, or want to modernize existing converters with our IGBT components and controls, talk to CIME. We engineer to your operation, not to a catalogue.